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Leaning can be done in a number of ways. First, one can just lean while settled in a stance (leaning); or, one can lean while maneuvering between stances (jet lagging). Either way, the back is not kept perpendicular to the ground.

 

In the case of a settled stance, leaning can decrease both the stability of a stance and decrease maneuverability of the stance. A straight back places the weight and position of the body in the center of the stance, i.e. the Intersection Position. From the Intersection Position it is more efficient to go in any possible direction. Also, when leaning it is easier for the attacker to make the defender go in one direction over another, because the defender’s body is already positioned favoring a direction, which can be exploited.

 

In the case of maneuvering between stances, leaning creates precession. Precession is the wobble of a rotation that is not perfectly aligned vertically with its axis. For example the earth has a precession in its rotation. A precession, in this case, creates inefficiencies in rotation, breaking the principle of Economy of Motion. Also, leaning can create Jet Lagging. Jet Lagging is created by allowing the head and upper body to follow the lower body (instead of with the lower body) while stepping through in reverse. Since the purpose of stepping away is to create distance, letting the upper body lag behind the lower body exposes the face to the opponent for a longer period of time than necessary – creating a defensive problem, which can be exploited by the opponent.