Karate: Stands Part 3

Neko Ashi Dachi

Literally, neko means ''cat'', ashi means ''legs'', and dachi means ''position''. However, the phrase refers more to the mental readiness of a cat to attack or retreat, than about a cat's physical posture.

Here, the front foot is touching the ground with the chesoku area, ready to lunch a kick or to push against the floor if you need to jump back. Moreover, the feet are on the line, not shoulderwidth apart, as in most positions.

Kiba Dachi


It is commonly known as the ''horse rider''. Here, the feet are wide apart, parallel to each other. The knees are bent while the hips are slightly forward; so that, ideally, the hips and the knees are in the same vertical plane.

The most common mistake of beginners is to ''sit'' in this posture, moving the hips back, as if there is a chair behind you. To compensate for the weight they are holding, they tend to bend forward, arriving at the funny and unstable posture. The back should be straight and vertical.

Kake Dachi

This stand is used to move sideways. It often used as a preparation stage for the kicks both to the side (with any leg) and forward (with the front leg).