Neko Ashi Dachi (Cat Stance) Shotokan Stances

Neko Ashi Dachi

Neko ashi dachi or cat stance, in shotokan karate, is normally first practiced in the shotokan karate kata, hangetsu (half moon). In the shotokan karate system, neko ashi dachi has 90 percent of the weight on the back leg, with the front leg barely touching the floor.

Neko Ashi Dachi

Standing with the feet side by side and slight apart, slide the left foot in front of the right, so as the heel of the left foot just goes past the toes of the right foot. Strongly bend the right leg, push the crown of the head up and roll the hips up, to keep the spine straight.


The front leg should be lightly touching the floor, there are two different ways to do this.
1. As in the picture. Ankle straight, toes pulled back, with the ball of the foot (koshi).
2. Again with the ankle straight, but this time, keeping the toes pointing and straight, just having the big toe lightly touching the karate dojo floor.
Some karate styles practice another version of neko ashi dachi, it has the same postioning but with the body weight on the front leg. Karate dojo will vary slightly in their teachings, but shotokan karate dojo, tend to remain the same, so if you are a shotokan karateka, this should be the way you practice, if you belong to another school, please check with your sensei.
Here is a link to all the basic shotokan stances and a video of neko ashi dachi.