Stances

Question 1

Seiza

Answer 1

• *正座**
• *Kneeling stance**

Seiza is the traditional, the formal and polite Japanese way of sitting on the floor, kneeling. It’s a fundamental posture is both Karate and in the Japanese culture. This stance is used to perform the formal ‘floor bow’ called zarei.

Question 2

Musubi Dachi

Answer 2

結び立

Open-toe Stance

Musubi-dachi is the formal way of standing in Japanese martial arts and in Japan. This stance is very important and is used to perform the formal respectful bow called rei. Musubi-dachi and rei should be performed before and after warmups, kihon, kata, kumite or any interaction between people.

Question 3

Fudo Dachi

Answer 3

不動立

Normal Stance

Feet are shoulder width apart, and toes are each at approximately a 30° angle. Weight is evenly distributed.

Question 4

Heisoku Dachi

Answer 4

閉足立

Closed-toe stance

Weight is distributed 50/50 between both legs. Both feel parallel with heels and toes together.

Question 5

Heiko Dachi

Answer 5

平行立

Parallel stance

Feet are pointing straight ahead, approximately shoulder width apart. Weight distribution is 50/ 50.

Question 6

Kuzure Heiko Dachi

Answer 6

崩れ平行立

Staggered parallel stance

Like the parallel stance, except the one foot is in front of the other.

Question 7

Hachiji Dachi

Answer 7

八字立

Natural stance

Hachiji-dachi, also known as yoi-dachi is a formal waiting posture used in some styles of Karate. Hachiji-dachi can also be used after standing bowing of while performing tsuki. ‘Yoi’ posture is not common in Okinawan Karate.

Question 8

Uchi Hachiji Dachi

Answer 8

內八字立

Inverted Open Leg Stance

Weight distribution is 50/50, with heels out and toes pointed in.

Question 9

Kiba Dachi

Answer 9

騎馬立

Horse stance

Weight distribution is 50/50. Knees are pushed out over the feet, as much as possible. Feet are parallel. Keep your back as straight as possible. Align your ears with your hips in the same vertical line.

Question 10

Shiko Dachi

Answer 10

四股立

Sumo stance

Shiko-dachi, also known as the ‘square stance’ is pretty much the same as Kiba dachi but the feet are open at about 45° angle.

Question 11

Sanchin Dachi

Answer 11

三戦立

Three battle stance, hourglass stance

Sanchin-dachi is a fundamental Karate posture that offers great stability and rooting. The majority of Japanese styles like Shotokan use this stance only in kata, but Okinawan styles uses it for self-defense and kumite, particularly Naha-te styles like Goju-Ryu and Uechi-Ryu.

Question 12

Zenkutsu Dachi

Answer 12

前屈立

Front Leaning Stance​

(Front view) Weight is 70% on the front leg and 30% on back leg. Feet are shoulder width apart. On the front leg, the knee is directly over the ankle. Back leg is straight, and the foot is at a 45° angle. (Side view) The length of the stance is approximately two shoulder widths.

Question 13

Kokutsu Dachi

Answer 13

後屈立

Back stance

(Front view) 70% of the weight is on the back leg and 30% on the front leg. Make sure to keep your feet shoulder width apart and not directly behind each other. Hips are lowered, and you feel like you are “sitting” on your back leg. Heel of the front leg is up, enabling you to kick quickly with the front leg. Body is twisted, so as not to expose the central weak points of the body. (Side view) As illustrated, the hands in this stance are in a basic fighting position.

Question 14

Nikoashi Dachi

Answer 14

猫足立

Cat stance

(Front view) Like the back leaning stance, most of the weight is on the back leg, 90% of the weight in this stance. The front foot is pulled in toward the back foot, about one foot length away. (Side view) Both knees are bent, and the hips are pushed back.

Question 15

Tsuruashi Dachi

Answer 15

鶴足立

Crane stance

Tsuru-ashi-dachi is a stance used to avoid attacks and to transition into other techniques. This stance is similar to sagi ashi dachi. The foot of the raised leg is kept at the side of the knee, instead of being hooked around the knee. The leg which supports the weight is almost straight.

Question 16

Sagiashi Dachi

Answer 16

鷺足立

One Legged Stance

This is an advanced stance, sometimes used to execute a quick joint kick or side kick. 100% of weight is on the right leg, with the knee slightly bent, and the instep of the left foot is hooked behind the knee.

Question 17

Kake Dachi

Answer 17

鉤足立

Hooked Stance

Right knee is slightly bent, and the left foot has stepped behind, heel up, on the ball of the foot, Hips are lowered and the back is straight. This stance is used to make quick transitions, such as moving in close to an opponent without exposing the center of the body.

Question 18

Kata Hiza Dachi

Answer 18

片膝立

One Knee Stance

Both feet are approximately in one line, and most of the weight is on the one knee. Stay on the ball of the foot on the back leg. (Right stance illustrated)