Wado-Ryu Stance – Zenkutsu Dachi

Wado-Ryu Stance – Zenkutsu Dachi (Front or Forward Stance)

This page provides details for the Wado-Ryu stance – Zenkutsu Dachi (Front or Forward Stance). This is a common stance used in many Wado-Ryu katas.

For instructions on other stance, please visit the main Wado-Ryu Stances section.

Written Instructions

This stance is probably the first one that a Karateka learns. It is a basic stance with almost 50:50 weight distribution, but a little more on the back leg. In most schools, it is taught with the front knee bent, and back leg straight and front toes pointed forward, with the back toes pointed out. In other schools, it is taught with a much shorted step, a more natural step length, with both legs slightly bend and both sets of toes pointing forward, like a normal walk.

Long Stance

This is a strong stance, and looks very good, and is what is expected in Kata competitions. The body is low due to the longer distance between the feet.

Short Stance

This is a more natural stance, almost as if walking, legs are about shoulder width apart, both feet facing forward, and could be mistaken for a normal step, was in not for the c step, to the untrained eye. This seems to be more aimed to combat, as is more relaxed so can move more freely which is not needed in Kata, due to the set pattern’s and knowing what is coming again, which is impossible in real combat.

This video is a demonstration of the longer stance, and looks impressive, but in a real combat situation would be impractical.

Instructional Video for Wado-Ryu Stance – Zenkutsu Dachi