Kokutsu-dachi: (Kō-koot-sue Daw-chee) Back Stance

Back stances in kata usually indicate you’re pulling someone towards you. When in this stance, you can use the opponent to maintain your balance while pulling him/her off balance and from this stance you can also strike with the lead leg if necessary. Remember to maintain balance you must have two points of contact.

Foundation:

• The back is straight
• Keep the chin up, head straight, and eyes forward.
• Your weight is 60% on the back leg.
• The feet form a ninety-degree angle to each other.
• They both firmly contact the ground.

Note: The front leg can be used to kick, but it does not have as much potential to be a weapon like it does in the cat stance. When this stance is seen in kata it can represent pulling an opponent backwards. It has a low center of gravity and makes getting thrown more difficult.

Weakness:

• The inside of the back knee is exposed to a cross over heel kick, which is the main source of support while in this stance. Knee joints do not bend in that direction.

• Pushing forward on a 45˚ angle breaks this stance’s balance.
• This is not a true stance, but a transitional position.

Strengths:

• This is a somewhat mobile stance, and it allows the front leg be an additional striking weapon.
• This stance is most effective when pulling an opponent toward you.
• It is strongest to forward attacks.
• The front leg can be used to hook an attacker’s lead leg leading to a reverse throw.

Note: This stance resembles a Judo natural stance, but there is more weight on the rear support leg. [Migi Shizentai & Hidari Shinzentai] [Right and Left Basic Stance]