Karate Stances
Table of Contents
These are the stances you will find in traditional karate, required in all katas, and part of the foundation of the system. These are required from white to black belt and can be divided by:
- High Stances
- Intermediate Stances
- Low Stances
- Front Stances
- Side Stances
It is important to learn their use and application.
High Stances
- Heiko dachi (parallel open stance)
- Heisoku Dachi – Closed feet stance
- Kamae dachi – Fighting Stance
- Musubi Dachi – Open Feet Stance
- Musubi Dachi Heiko
- Hachiji Dachi
- Uchi Hachiji Dachi
- Chokusen Seisan Dachi
- Tsuru Ashi Dachi – crane stance
- Kamae Dachi
- Yoi Dachi (ready stance)
Intermediate Stances
- Naihanchi Dachi
- Sanchin Dachi – Hourglass Stance
- Moto Dachi
- Hangetsu Dachi
- Kosa Dachi
- Han Zenkutsu Dachi
- Han-Kokutsu Dachi
Low Stances
- Kiba Dachi – Horse stance
- Kake Dachi
- Shiko Dachi – Sumo Stance
- Zenkutsu Dachi – Front Stance
- Neko Ashi Dachi – Cat Stance
- Fudo Dachi
- Kokutso Dachi – Backward Leaning Stance
- Sokutsu Dachi
Other Stances
- Moro Ashi Dachi (two-foot stance)
- Shizen Dachi (natural stance)
- Uchi Hachiji Dachi (pigeon toe stance/inside eight-character stance)
- Iai Goshi Dachi
- Sagi Ashi Dachi
- Renoji Dachi
- Teiji Dachi
- Heiko Dachi
- Seiza
These stances are part of the foundation of Karate, you might have strong punches and powerful kicks but if you do not have a good stance a good sweep and you’re down. Stances are important for your Katas.
Karate Techniques
- Karate Techniques Page
- Karate Stances
- Karate Punches
- Karate Kicks
- Karate Blocks
- Karate Strikes
- Karate Traditional Katas
- Karate Traditional Weapons
- Karate General Terminology
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