Feet apart on a 45° angle Ready Position

Hachiji-dachi: (Haw-chee Daw-chee) 

This is a non-threatening stance, yet it allows movement on a 45° angle either right or left. This stance is a strategic or deceptive position. You should not engage a larger opponent head-on in a fight because you play into their strength. Having the feet shoulder width apart allows for more freedom of movement forwards and backwards. Once the adversary moves you can step outside their attacker and deliver your own counterattack. This position is more mobile yet similar to Masuba-dachi.

Foundation:

• Keep the back is straight.
• Keep the chin up, head straight, and eyes forward.
• The feet are on a forty-five-degree angle shoulder width apart.
• The hands are fists even with the side of your body.
• The knees are slightly bent.

Weakness:

• This is a starting position. It is also a deceptive position. It is not a formal fighting stance but enables you to be more mobile.
• Its’ balance is broken by pushing forward.
• The Groin and centerline vital striking points are exposed.
• The knees and legs are exposed to attack. [Example: Shin Kick]
• If used as a deceptive tactic, you must wait for the opponent to initiate an attack.

Strengths:

• This is a non-threatening stance that allows the karateka angular movement, either left or right, without creating a threatening stance, or giving the karateka’s style of fighting away.
• Balance is good side-to-side.
• This stance in not susceptible to low shin kicks, because the leg can be brought up to block a low kick using your shin.
• The close proximity of the feet impedes hip rotation in kicking and reduces power, but forward snap kicks can easily be thrown.