How to Perform Basic Karate Stances

Karate is a stand-up martial art, meaning that most techniques are performed from a standing position. Therefore, a karate student, or karateka, must develop powerful stances to maintain balance and establish a strong foundation from which to deliver various techniques. The front stance, or "zenkutsu dachi," and the horse-riding stance, or "kiba dachi," are two basic stances a karateka must master before learning complex striking and blocking techniques.

Instructions

  1. Performing Zenkutsu Dachi

    • 1

      Step out with either foot, bend the front knee and keep the back leg straight. Set your stance with your feet shoulder-width apart and place approximately 70 percent of your body weight on the front leg.

    • 2

      Keep both feet flat on the floor. If your back heel comes up, slide your front foot backward to shorten your stance. If your heel still lifts off the floor, widen your stance just slightly.

    • 3

      Thrust your hips forward and square off your shoulders so that your chest faces front. Keep your chin up and your back straight.

    • 4

      Step forward in front stance by bringing your feet together and then stepping back out to shoulder-width to reset the stance. This protects your groin and inner thighs from an opponent's attack as you advance your position.

    Performing Kiba Dachi

    • 5

      Step sideways with your left foot approximately one step wider than shoulder width. Traditional technique calls for the karateka to step with the left foot, but the horse-riding stance can be set by stepping with the right foot as well.

    • 6

      Sit into the stance---as if horseback riding---so that your body weight is centered. Keep your chin up, your chest out and your back straight.

    • 7

      Point your toes slightly inward and push your knees slightly outward. Ideally, your upper legs will be parallel with the floor. You may be able to make a lower stance if you point your toes outward, but if you are pushed from behind, you will fall forward. Pointing the toes inward allows you to maintain your balance during the impact of an opponent's strike from the front or the back.