One of many
Japanese terms describing
Karate techniques:
Type :
stance
English : front
stance
Level :
beginner
outside tension
Weight distribution : roughly 40% on the front leg and 60% on the back leg
description : The back leg is positioned so that the toes are about a foot length back from the hips with the knee almost
locked. The back foot should face as far forward as you can turn it without
extreme pain. The front leg is
bent so that the toes are just
blocked from view by the knee with the foot facing
forward.
Laterally, both feet should be at least a shoulder length apart. The
karateka should attempt to get low enough in the stance to feel a little
discomfort upon first learning it, to improve
flexibility. Both feet are
flat on the floor, including the toes and heels and a slight
pressure should be felt on the
soles, as if attempting to part the floorboards outwards. The back should be straight and perpendicular to the ground.
assume: To assume front stance from
yoi, with the left leg (most common) pull the left leg in until it's together with the right, bending the knees as you do so. Thrust the left leg out, keeping the right one stationary and
assume the position described above.
movement: The back leg is pulled in until it is beside the front leg. The
karateka bends the knees to remain at the same level. At this point, the
hips should be facing directly ahead. The front leg remains stationary. The back leg, which becomes the front leg, is pushed out and forwards using the hips and the stance is reassumed with the legs reversed. The foot should remain
flat,
gliding along so that it almost scrapes the floor as it does so. The
torso should
remain at the same height the entire time as if the
karateka is on a
moving sidewalk.
common mistakes:
-
failing to bend the front leg enough so that it resembles a
fighting stance
-
placing the feet
laterally too close together or
leaning, compensating the stability of the stance.
-
lifting the heels off the ground when moving, compensating stability and balance
-
failing to bend the knees when moving so that you bob up and down as you move across the floor.
Notes: Zenkutsu-
Dachi is the first
stance karateka learn to use with
movement. It is also one of the most commonly (if not the most commonly) used stances in training. Most of the time, classes will use it to perform
kihon (basics)
in unison during the first few minutes. It's designed mostly for
conditioning, building
flexibility and
strength in the legs. It's an extremely stable stance, and, when assuming the
stance properly, one can remain
stationary when pushed, kicked or punched.