Kamae Dachi in Karate

peterasotoJuly 11, 20242 Mins read18

The purpose of this article is to provide comprehensive guidance on creating an ideal fighting stance, specifically for Kumite. We will delve into various aspects of positioning including hands, arms, legs, and body posture. Additionally, we will discuss techniques for moving and executing effective moves from any direction.

To begin, Kamae Dachi is the traditional stance used during sparring or Kumite. Our analysis will examine each element required to construct the ultimate fighting stance.

Hands on your Fighting Stance

Having your hands in a defensive position is crucial since they have quicker reflexes than your feet. The nearest hand to your opponent is your primary line of defense. In the event of failure, your second line of defense is your other hand.

Arms on your Fighting Stance

The hand positioning varies depending on your martial arts rank. Beginners should form a fist while advanced practitioners, like black belts, can keep their hands open, ready to grab as needed. The positioning of your arms is crucial.
The arm closest to your opponent should be slightly bent, enabling you to move in any direction with ease, and your fist should aim at their chin. The other hand should be near your body, with your hand by your solar plexus and elbow tucked in to safeguard your ribs.

Legs on your Fighting Stance

Let’s talk about the positioning of your legs in a fighting stance. Having your legs too far apart limits your mobility, making it challenging to avoid incoming punches or kicks. It’s best to keep your legs slightly bent to react quickly to any attack and execute defensive or offensive kicks with ease.

To optimize your stance, keep your legs shoulder-width apart. This positioning enables full body movement and facilitates rapid movement in any direction.

Kicking from your Kamae Dachi

When it comes to kicking in martial arts, proper posture is essential to effectively reach your target. There are two types of kicks: those executed with the front leg and those with the back leg.

Kicking with the front leg allows for a faster kick, making it ideal for scoring points in tournaments. It also gives you more range to stop an attacker as they approach. This type of kick is often used in sports karate tournaments, where it’s essential to act swiftly to gain points.

On the other hand, kicking with the back leg generates more power, but it’s also more predictable. This type of kick is ideal for situations that require more strength, such as self-defense. In these scenarios, it’s crucial to remember that it’s not a sports karate tournament, and the stakes could be life or death.

In summary, kicking is a fundamental skill for martial artists, and choosing the right type of kick depends on the situation. Kicking with the front leg is suitable for sports tournaments, whereas kicking with the back leg is ideal for self-defense situations that demand more strength.

How to move fast with your Fighting Stance?

In order to move quickly in your fighting stance, it is necessary that your legs are not so separated because it will be harder to move. Be on the ball of your feet, it will allow you to switch and move fast. Practice shadow boxing, imagine your opponent in front of you, move around him, go forward and backward, blocking and counter attacking, then do both at the same time. You need to be relaxed at all times, that will make you move faster, because if you are tense your reaction time will decrease.