Formula in learning and refining excellent karate stances

Over the years I’ve been kindly commented on about my 立ち方 (tachikata/stances) by several of the Shotokan legends here in Japan. Sharing these compliments, which have referred to classical form and applicable robustness—is not will to brag here—but, rather, to explain my formula in learning and refining excellent karate stances FOR YOU. In sum, if you follow these rules, ‘you will literally have the best tachikata’.

Before I do that I need to elucidate two key points:

Firstly, if winning sports kata competitions is your main objective, what I’m going to present in this article is not ideal for you. My training and teaching of the Shotokan tachikata is traditional/classical; that is, strength, stability, mobility and optimal functionality of karate techniques = a beautiful stance. Put another way, a lot of the stances in sports karate to us budo karateka are meaningless and counterproductive; thus, actually seen as being seen as both bizarre and actually ugly.

 

Secondly, and directly relating to the aforementioned point, I must therefore define the traditional/classical tachikata: the ‘beautiful Shotokan stance’. This stance has the ideal configurations for the individual. These are largely determined by THREE FACTORS: (1) the stance must not distort the posture; (2) the stance must not dictate the directions of the feet and full placement of them on the floor; and (3) the stance must be optimal for oneself; that is, maximize one’s own ability to move and deliver the most destructive waza possible. 

Please allow me expand on these three factors:

 

Factor One: ‘the stance must not distort the posture’.

If the karateka’s shisei (posture) is broken “…from a too deep and/or too long tachikata”, your body is literally telling you that you need to lessen either the depth, length, or both. No, there’s nothing wrong with a very large scale stance, but there’s nothing wrong with smaller stances either. Kawasoe Masao Sensei, based in the UK, has very short stances, but they are perfect. Interestingly, if you do stances according to your own body type and condition like Mr. Kawasoe, they are not only effective but are also aesthetically great. Of course, as one ages (and acquires injuries) this also changes, but that is the beauty of karate mastery.

Always remember, “when the posture breaks, its time to ease up on your stance size in some way”.

 

Factor Two: ‘the stance must not dictate the directions of the feet and full placement of them on the floor’.

This is the same as ‘Factor One’. When too long and/or too low, if you cannot place your feet correctly, your body is telling you ‘you’re wrong’. Accordingly, like posture, adjust based on not losing form. In particular, take special note of your 足刀 (sokuto/sword foot) which is the outside edges of the feet.

 

Factor Three: ‘the stance must be optimal for oneself; that is, maximize one’s own ability to move and deliver the most destructive waza possible’.

This is functionality, namely to attain: (1) “optimization of velocity” via ground power, the hips and core, and elasticity/softness/snap; and (2) “maximizing one’s mass”, via propulsion/moving the center in all eight directions, and in various ways. Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei taught this in his unique form of 進行方向 (SHINKO-HOKO), which many of my advanced Japanese students always request to learn more of and refine.

 Of course, there are other factors, but it’s better to isolate and focus on 基本 (kihon) in order to really ACE your stances.

 

So, now I’ve covered these points I want to tell you something, which I initially stated. If you follow these points, you will discover the best stances for yourself. That is, the most functional and, ironically, the most beautiful—from a traditional/classic Shotokan context.

 

Lastly, having rules means that we must also break them! Certainly, the stances are no different, and we naturally experience this is freestyle.

押忍 — André

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2023).