why the stances?

aznkarateboi · Brown Belt

why do karateka's train with stances such as the forward stance, back stance, and crouched stances? do you use them while sparring? fighting?

mikS · Orange Belt

wrestlingkaratechamp · Brown Belt

Making you stronger

Drunken Monkey · Black Belt

and more stable.
after all, if you cannot stand up, how can you hit?

good base = good kicks+good punches.

never skimp out on the basics like stance training. it's why the kung fu guys spend so long just sitting in stance before learning forms.
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delta1 · Black Belt

Scorcho · Yellow Belt

Many stances are als transitionary. You can slide into them during a certain strite. You do not fight out of them per se, they are only used in with certain attacks.
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"The true master avoids the fight."
Shodan - Uechi-Ryu Karate
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major_motoko · Orange Belt

I agree with Scorcho, when I spar it is mainly in a relax fighting stance (like a half zen-kutsu-dachi) but as I move between techniques I do find myself moving between back stances and even kiba-dachi (horse riding stance). Back stance I use when I do kicks with the front leg, kiba dachi can be used for side thrust kicks, or just to move into your opponents space.

But when you spend hours in the dojo in long front stances or horse stances, that is primarily good for building strong leg muscles and good balance.

osu

motoko
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2nd Kyu Brown Belt, Wado Ryu Karate-do

"Daniel-san best karate still inside!" Mr Myagi

Sasori_Te · Black Belt

I think scorcho and major motoko have it right. Stances are transitory. You train then so much individually to strengthen muscles and acquire balance. They are designed to be balance points when you're moving. This way as you move through an attack your balance will be stronger because you are used to being in these positions. Although, most schools don't train this way. If you've never noticed, the basic stance can all be transitioned through while standing in one spot by simply adjusting the foot direction as the waist turns. Or, by sliding the foot back or forward or turning the feet in slightly depending on the situation. I practice these "walking" or movement exercises all the time with my students. I don't believe that stances were meant to be what they have become in so many schools. These hard, stiff and unyielding positions are meant to be practiced more like Taijiquan. The heels should be down and there should be a relaxed tension feeling to the stance. You should feel as though you can move easily into another position if you need to. I'm rambling....
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Goju1 · Blue Belt

I agree with the last three posts, adding only that there are some instances when a stance such as shiko-dachi or neko ashi-dachi can be used effectively during sparring/fighting. The long stances, like zen kutsu dachi are primarily for strengthening/stretching the legs and building discipline.
That is what so much of karate is about (to me) - the basics, repetition, etc... Correct stances are crucial for good karate!!!! IMO

G95champ · Black Belt

They are all natural standing postions just low if you think about it. We do them low to build muscle, speek, and FOCUS. Because it hurts.... They also help you balance and teach you how to work a lot of throws and takedowns once you get into the art.
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(General George S. Patton Jr.) "It's the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory."

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