Tachikata たち型is a Japanese term for stances and lower body positions. The basic requirements to improve one’s karate techniques are the correct body position and balance. Powerful, accurate, smooth, and fast techniques can only be delivered through stable and strong stances. One needs to maintain a firm and stable position to execute a strong technique but not be rigid, and one must be able to switch stances when required.

Stances can be categorized in three ways: high and one-leg stance, middle high and lower, and the way the foot and knees are used in aligning the center of gravity for stability. There are two types of tension (inside and outside) used in middle and lower stances measuring from the body’s centerline, e.g., Sanchin Dachi has the inside tension and Shiko Dachi has the outside tension measuring from the center line of the body.

Vital points to remember regarding the stances.

Soles: The ball of the foot or the full soles, or as per the requirement of stance, must stay in complete contact with the floor, having a strong grip.

Ankles: Ankles must be flexible and strong enough to bend and hold the body weight.

Knees: It should sufficiently bend in the direction of the toes maintaining the correct alignment.

Tension in legs (spreading): The legs should have proper tension inside or outside of the center line of the body.

Position of Hips: Hips must be positioned correctly as per requirements with correct body alignment.

Center of Gravity: To acquire stability and strength, one must lower the center of gravity while maintaining correct body alignment. In addition, one must also be able to tighten its hara/tanden (lower abdomen), or, in other words, tighten the hara by contracting the muscles below the navel to the anus. This will give stability, balance, and a strong stance, which can deliver strong techniques.

Types of stances: – stance, one-leg stance, middle high stance, middle stance, and lower stance. To take any stance, one should understand the following principles: Lower the center of gravity by bending your knee for a strong grip and stability with correct body alignment. Proper tension in legs outside or inside as per the requirements of stance.

High Stance and One Leg Stance: Heisoku-dachi 閉足立 (joined feet stance), Musubi-dachi結び立 (heels join with toe 30-degree stance), Heiko Dachi結び立–平行 (parallel foot stance), Soto-Hachiji-dachi (parallel foot stance with toes pointed outside). Uchi hachiji-dachi (parallel stance with heels pointed outside), Sagi-ashi-dachi 鷺足立 鷺足立 (One leg stance) also known as Tsuru-ashi-dachi 鶴足立 (Crane foot stance), Uki Ashi Dachi 鷺足立 (one-leg floating stance).

Middle High Stance: Naifanchi or Naihanchi-dachi内歩進立 (wide parallel stance with knee bend inside), Moto-dachi基立 (Boxer’s stance), Sanchin-dachi 三戦立 (Hour glass stance), Han Zenkutsu-dachi半前屈立(half zenkutsu), Seisan-dachi十三立 (universal stance), Renoji-dachiレの字立(stand like the character レ).

Lower Stance: Kosa-dachi 交差立(crossing stance), Kōkutsu-dachi後屈立(reverse of Zenkutsu Dachi), Shiko-dachi 四股立(sumo stance, straddle stance), Zenkutsu-dachi前屈立(front stance), Nekoashi-dachi猫足立(cat leg stance), Katahiza Dachi 片膝立ち(wide cross leg or one leg kneeling stance).