List of Wado-Ryu Stances
This page provides details about the different stances used in Wado-Ryu Karate. These stances are used in Wado-Ryu kata, kumite (sparring), training, etc. In contrast to longer and deeper Shotokan stances, Wado-Ryu stances are closer and more “natural”.
If you are looking for information on other stances (i.e. Shotokan), please visit the main Martial Arts Stances section.
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Wado-Ryu Stances – Click on stance links for videos and instructions.
- Chinto dachi – Chinto stance
- Fudo dachi – Free stance
- Gankaku dachi (or Sagi ashi dachi) – Crane or heron stance
- Gyaku neko ashi dachi – Reverse cat stance
- Gyaku zuki dachi – Reverse punch stance
- Gyaku zuki tsukkomi dachi – Reverse lunge stance
- Hachiji dachi – Ready stance
- Hangetsu dachi – Half-Moon stance
- Hanmi neko ashi dachi – Half turned cat stance
- Heiko dachi – Parallel stance
- Heisoku dachi – Narrow or closed stance
- Jun zuki dachi – Front punch or jab stance
- Jun zuki tsukkomi dachi – Front lunge punch stannce
- Kiba dachi – Horse riding stance (Feet shoulder width apart, toes pointed slightly in, knees bent and buttox pulled under slightly)
- Kokutsu dachi – Back stance
- Kosa dachi – Crossed leg stance
- Musubi dachi – Attention stance
- Naifanchi dachi – Modified horse stance
- Neko ashi dachi – Cat stance (about 80% weight on back foot, should be able to raise front leg for kick or dodge kick easily)
- No tsukomi dachi – Forward lunging stance
- Reinoji dachi – L stance
- Sagi ashi dachi (or Gankaku dachi) – Crane or heron stance (Really only use in Chinto Kata)
- Sanchin dachi – Hour-glass stance (Used in place of Zenkutsu dachi, Shorter stance, toes pointing to center of opponent to direct power, also helps with hip and shoulder movement for punches)
- Seisan dachi – Seisan stance
- Shiko dachi – Sumo stance
- Shizentai dachi – Natural stance
- Shomen neko ashi dachi – Forward facing cat stance
- Tate seisan dachi – Vertical seisan stance
- Teiji dachi – T stance
- Yoi dachi – Ready stance (Hands in front of body in ready possition, should be nice and relaxed ready for next drill ect)
- Yoko seisan dachi – Side seisan stance
- Zenkutsu dachi – Forward or front stance
Reference Sources
- US Eastern Wado-Ryu Karate Federation, Terminology, http://www.useasternwado.com/TerminologyBasicWaza.htm, Added – 02/11/15
- All Anglia Karate Association, Beginner Stances, http://www.aaka.co.uk/beginner-stances.html, Added – 02/11/15
- Wado-Ryu Karate, Glossary, http://www.wado-ryu-karate.com/Glossary.html, Added – 02/11/15
- Welland Martial Arts Centre, Wado-Kai Karate Terminology, http://www.wellandmartialarts.ca/wado-kai-karate-terminology.shtml, Added – 02/11/15