Stances

Chintodachi - Chinto stance. The toes of both feet are on a line towards the opponent. Both feet are angled in roughly the same direction with the front foot turned in slightly more than the rear foot. Weight is even.

Gyaku nekoashidachi - Reverse cat stance. Feet are roughly in the same position as in nekodachi but the rear heel is up while the front heel is down. The rear knee generally points inward. Weight is more on the front foot.

Gyakuzukidachi - Reverse punch stance. Front foot is one foot length wider and one foot length shorter than junzukidachi. Front foot points in slightly. Weightis more on the front foot.

Gyakuzuki tsukkomidachi - Reverse lunge punch stance. Front foot heel is even with rear foot toes on a line perpendicular to the attack line. Both feet point slightly inward. Distance between feet is roughly two and one half shoulder widths. Body leans slightly forward. Weight is more on the front foot.

Hanmi no nekoashidachi - Half side-facing cat stance. Feet are in the same position as mashomen no nekoashidachi but the body is facing 45 degrees instead of facing the opponent. Weight is 2/3 on the rear foot.

Heikodachi - Parallel stance or ready stance. Feet are one foot length apart. Feet are pointed straight ahead and the weight is even.

Heisokudachi - Closed foot stance. Feet point straight ahead and are together with the heels and toes touching. Weight is even.

Hidarishizentai - Left natural stance. Feet are roughly shoulder width apart with the left foot moved forward roughly one to two foot lengths. The left foot faces forward and the right foot faces 45 degrees to the right. The body also faces 45 degrees to the right. Weight is even.

Junzukidachi - Front punch stance. Distance between the feet is roughly two shoulder widths. Front foot points straight ahead and is one foot length wider than musubidachi. Weight is more on the front foot.

Junzuki tsukkomidachi - Front lunge punch stance. Front foot points straight ahead. Rear foot points 90 degrees to the side with the heel on the same line as the inside of the front foot. Back leg is straight but not locked. Body is leaning and lined up with the rear leg. Distance between the feet is roughly two and one half shoulder widths. Weight is mostly on the front foot.

Kokutsudachi - Back stance. Front foot is pointed straight ahead or slightly inward. Rear foot is pointed roughly 120 degrees from the front. Feet are roughly two shoulder widths apart with both heels on a line toward the opponent.the front leg is straight but not locked. The body is leaning, aligned with the front leg. Weight is more on the back foot.

Kosadachi - Crossed stance. Front foot is pointed out 90 degrees. Rear foot is pointed straight ahead. The inside of the rear foot in on the same line as the front heel. Feet are roughly one and one half to two shoulder widths apart. Body faces forward. Weight is even.

Mahanmi no nekoashidachi (nekoashidachi) - Full side facing cat stance. Front foot points towards the opponent. Rear foot faces roughly 120 degrees from the front. The front heel is slightly raised. Body faces 90 degrees sideways to the opponent. Feet are roughly two shoulder widths apart. Weight is 2/3 on the rear foot.

Mashomen no nekoashidachi (nekodachi) - Full front facing cat stance. Front foot faces forwards. Rear foot faces out at 45 degrees. From migishizentai or hidarishizentai, raise the front heel slightly while settling 2/3 of the weight onto the rear foot. The body faces forward.

Migishizentai - Right natural stance. Opposite of hidarishizentai.

Musubidachi - Attention stance. Heels are together with the feet pointed out 45 degrees. Weight is even.

Naihanchidachi - Naihanchi stance or inside fighting stance. Feet are roughly one and one half to two shoulder widths apart and are pointed in slightly. Weight is even.

Sagiashi dachi - Heron/crane stance. Stand on one leg with the toes of the other foot lightly touching the back of the opposite knee. Supporting leg is bent.

Shikodachi - Outer circular stance. Feet are roughly two shoulder widths apart and pointed out 45 degrees. Weight is even.

Shizentai - Natural stance. Feet are shoulder width apart and are pointed out 45 degrees. Weight is even.

Tate seisandachi - Vertical seisan stance. Front foot toes and rear foot heel are on a line towards the opponent. Both feet are pointed in roughly the same direction with the front foot slightly more turned. Feet are roughly one and one half to two shoulder widths apart. Weight is even.

Yoko seisandachi - Side seisan stance. From naihanchidachi, move one foot forward one foot length. Weight is even.

Zenkutsudachi - Front stance, forward stance or fighting stance. From heikodachi, one foot moves forward roughly one and one half shoulder widths. The front foot faces forward. The rear foot faces out 45 degrees. Weight is even or slightly more on the front foot.