Stances
1. Seisan Dachi
The feet are shoulder width apart with the weight equally distributed. The toe of the back foot should be even with the heel of the lead foot and the knees should be slightly bent.Use:
Strong offensive stance, you have both hands and feet in front of your opponent.Limitations:
Not as good defensively as some other stances because your front is open to your opponent.
2. Soto Hachi (Horse)
The feet are shoulder width apart with the toes pointed out at 45 degree angles. The knees are bent so that the body is 4-6 inches lower than in the Seisan Stance. There is a straight line from the ankles to the knees, but from the knees to the thighs there is a 45 degree angle.Use:
Strong offensive stance, you have both hands and feet in front of your opponent.Limitations:
Not as good defensively as some other stances because your front is open to your opponent.
3. Uchi Hachi Ji Tachi (Duck)
The feet are shoulder width apart with the toes turned in slightly and the knees slightly bent, weight equally distributed. In a stationary position, the body is locked from the waist down and relaxed from the waist up.Use:
Designed for movements sideways when your back is to a wall with opponents to your front and on both sides of you. Exposes only your sides.Limitations:
The front of the body is open as a target. The movement is limited to side movements.
4. Nekoashi Dachi (Tee or Cat stance)
The name comes from the position of the feet, with the rear foot turned sideways and the lead foot 8-10 inches forward between the heel and instep of the rear foot. The weight distribution is 90% on the rear foot and 10% on the lead foot.Use:
Mainly a defensive stance, especially for fast foot counters.Limitations:
Not useful for too long a time or too often, especially against larger, stronger opponents because balance can be upset. You do not have mobility in the Cat stance.
5. Tsuru Tachi (Crane)
The name comes from the position of Cranes (birds). One foot is crossed in front of the other.Use:
Mainly a transition step to cross from one stance into another and cover distance quickly.Limitations:
Not useful as a stance to fight from because balance can be easily upset since feet are crossed. Move through the Crane stance into another stance quickly.
6. Sanchin
The feet are shoulder width apart with the weight equally distributed with the toes turned in; the toes of the rear foot are even with the heel of the front foot. To make the stance a "rooted" (semi-stationary) stance: grip the floor with the feet by digging the heels in and pushing the balls of the feet to the outside, locking the hips. Raise the fists to the front of the face, bring the elbows back down to the rib cage, hips forward and exhale, locking the body from the waist up.Use:
This stance is used mainly in practicing breath and muscle control, as in the Sanchin Kata. Protects the groin.Limitations:
Seldom used in matching or in self-defense because of the time it takes to shift to other stances.
7. Heiko Dachi (Natural or Neutral)
The feet are shoulder width apart with the weight equally distributed. The feet point straight ahead. Hands are in fists, at sides, slightly forward of body.Use:
Ready (yoe) stance. Do not want to fight. All Isshin Ryu katas start this way.Limitations:
Poor balance because feet are straight forward.
8. Zen Kutsu Dachi (Fighting Stance)
Feet are shoulder width apart, toes pointing at a 45 degree angle. Weight is distrubuted with 60% on the front foot and 40% on the rear foot. This stance is basically the same as standing in a Seisan and turning the body 45 degrees to either side.Use:
Fighting stance, protects vitals.Limitations:
Weight is unequally distributed.
9. Musubi Dachi (Attention)
The feet are together with the weight equally distributed. The feet point out an 45 degree angles, making a "V" shape. Hands are at sides.Use:
This stance is used before bowing. All Isshin Ryu katas start this way before going to the ready stance.Limitations:
Poor balance because feet are together, center of gravity is the bottom point of a triangle, making you top heavy.