Thanks Killerqueen

I definitely see your point as far as not pushing off. I guess I am considering needing to push back against my opponent's weight and the force of their punch. I am short and have trouble getting in so if I can get inside against a taller opponent I like to stay there for as long as possible. I don't usually feel like I fall foreward often because I'm normally pushing in response to an opposing force or weight.

My sparring partners will often lean on me whenever I am fighting in close range. I then feel I need to push them back so I can resume my attack. Perhaps this isn't really relevant since girls my size don't do it to me when I fight in competition. The ref would also usually force us to break. I guess it's just something I feel I need to cope with in training.

I also need to lean into my guard to brace it hard enough to take punches from my sparring partners as they are heavier. I prefer to slip or parry but I can't do that too much because it gets messy and frustrates the hell out of my coach.

When that happens the result is generally a drill involving me trying to hold my hands against my head while he hits them for half an hour hoping something will suddenly click and I'll miraculously get it. I don't feel comfortable with this style but it's seen as part of the basics in my gym to be able to push through an attack with your hands braced against your head so learning it may not be optional for me.

Do you not find you fall back very easily since the back foot isn't there to act as a breaking mechanism?

Do you feel you stand square and are open for uppercuts on a lot when your feet are parallel?

What makes you want to stand with your feet parallel? Does it give you a stronger right hand or let you throw flurries more easily?