Shotokan karate The Basic Shotokan Stances

Here is an article on the basic shotokan stances, including a few more advanced karate stances. Karate stances form the foundation of your karate, if karateka focus on this area, strong karate is sure to develop. stances do vary from karate dojo to dojo, so please check with your sensei, before you start to practice.

The complete video is for our dojo members, but we have broken the video up below for our subscribers and visitors.

 

Heisoko Dachi

Heisoku dachi (informal stance feet together). This is a starting position for many of the more intermediate and advanced shotokan karate kata, some karate dojo also use this position to bow (rei).

 

 

 

Musubi Dachi

Musubi dachi (informal stance toes out). this is where the majority of karate dojo perform the karate bow (rei).

 

 

 

 

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Heiko dachi

Heiko dachi (parallel stance). Feet are between hip width and shoulder width, outside edges of both feet, are parallel and facing forward.

 

 

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Zenkutsu Dachi

Zenkutsu dachi (front stance). One of the first main shotokan stances that is practiced. The width of the stance varies from hip width, to shoulder width and approximately two shoulder widths in length. the weight is distributed 70% on the front leg and 30% on the back leg. Try and get both feet facing forward. Hips can be square (shomen) or side facing (hanmi).

 

 

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Kiba Dachi

Kiba dachi (straddle stance). The stance is the same length as zenkutsu dachi, feet in line, toes facing forward. Naturally bend the knees over the feet and roll the hips up, to keep the back straight. Apart from Heisoko Dachi,Musubi Dach,kosa dachi, Heiko dachi, hangetsu dachi and sanchin dachi, the hip height and length of these basic shotokan stances, should be the same.

 

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Kokutsu Dachi
Kokutsu dachi (back stance). Again, this stance should be approximately two shoulder lengths, feet at a 90 degree angle to eachother,front foot facing forward and the back foot pointing to the side. Front leg bent slightly, back leg bent heavily with 70% of the weight on the back leg and 30% on the front. The hip of the back leg should be pushing 45% forward and the hips should be rolled up. Try and pull the front hip back and down.

 

 

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Hangetsu Dachi
Hangetsu dachi (Half moon stance).

Now there are some slight variations on this stance, so please check with your sensei. We practice this stance as slightly shorter than zenkutsu dachi. Width between hip and shoulder length. Feet turned in, so if you take a line from both of the big toes, the lines should cross at between five and six feet directly in front of you. This satnce is used extensively throughout the shotokan kata Hangetsu.

 

 

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Kosa Dachi
Kosa dachi (crossed leg stance). This stance is used in several shotokan karate and in the ‘early years’, two of the heian kata series, heian yondan and heian godan, have this stance. Right foot flat, with the ball of the left foot place just to the right of the right heel. Knees and thighs should be pushed together for more stability. Bend the legs as much as possible, keeping the back straight, once again, roll the hips up to help keep the back straight.

 

 

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Fudo Dachi
Fudo dachi (Immovable stance). Many karateka also refer to this stance as sochin dachi because it is used extensively in that particular shotokan kata. There are a few variations of fudo dachi, this is the version we practice. This stance is a combination of two stances, 1. Zenkutsu dachi and 2. Kiba dachi. The weight on this stance is heavily on the front leg. The front foot is facing directly forward and the back foot is turned 45 degrees forward. The front leg is in the zenkutsu dachi position and the back leg is in the kiba dachi position (as much as possible). Keep the back knee pushing out in this stance.

 

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Neko Ashi Dachi

Neko ashi dachi (Cat stance). The weight is 90% on the back leg. The heel of the front foot is only just in front of the toes of the back foot. The toes or ball of the foot is placed lightly on the floor. The back leg is strongly bent with the hips rolled up. The inside of the thighs should be tight, so as to stop the knees going out.

 

 

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Sanchin Dachi

Sanchin dachi (Hour glass stance). The weight is 50% on each leg. The heel of the front foot is only just in front of the toes of the back foot. The back foot is pointing forward. The front foot is turned inwards slightly. The knees should bend naturally over the big toes, with no outward or inward pressure. The inside, back of the thighs and buttocks should tighten, with the hips rolled up.