Nekoashi-dachi: (Knee-kō-ahw-chee Daw-chee) (Cat Stance)

Foundation:

• The back is straight.
• Keep the chin up, head straight, and eyes forward.
• In this stance both knees are pointing forward, yet the rear foot is on a forty-five-degree angle.
• Weight is 80% on the rear leg and 20% on the front leg.
• The karateka should be able to easily lift the front foot and execute a snap kick.
• The feet should be one to two feet apart.

Note: The only way to master this stance is to spend time in it to develop the muscles needed to properly execute it. A student should practice walking in this stance. Also practice going from this stance to other stances and back again.

Note: Students should learn to walk in this stance to develop lower body strength.

Note: The Japanese cat stance places the back foot ninety degrees to the front leg.

Doing this, exposes the knee to dislocation by a crossover heel kick, and is incorrect in Okinawan Isshin-Ryu karate. 

Note: When this stance is seen in bunkai, it is usually means that you’re trapping and pulling something. Note the hand position to better understand what is being trapped and pulled. Remember you must have two points of contact to maintain balance. Two feet on the floor and you have balance. One foot on the floor and the ball of the foot while holding onto your opponent, you have balance, but when only on one leg you can be pushed pulled and thrown in any direction.

Weakness:

• Kicking off the back leg is impossible from this stance.
• It limits the fighter to three weapons. [Right & Left Arm and Lead Leg]
• It minimizes hip rotation for power.
• The majority of the weight is on one leg, so balance in this stance is easily broken.
• This is not a fighting stance. It is a transitional position.

Strengths:

• With both knees bent and pointing forward, the support leg knee is not susceptible to crossover heel kicks.
• Quick snap kicks with the lead leg can be delivered from this stance.
• It is easy to transition to another stance from the stance.
• This stance is strongest against a frontal attack.
• If a punch is intercepted or trapped, the opponent can be used to maintain your balance while kicking under their arm to their ribs.