Video: Karate Front Stance Complete Tutorial! (Zenkutsu Dachi) by Karate Dojo waKu. Not affiliated with MatRecap; their version may differ from this drill.
Technique recap
Zenkutsu-dachi is karate's long front stance, with about 60 percent of the weight forward. It's the base for oi-zuki and gyaku-zuki.
3 key details
- Front knee over the toes, shin vertical.
- Back leg straight, heel down, foot angled.
- Hips square for oi-zuki, half-turned for blocks.
Your 10-minute home drill
- 2:00Stance holds each side
- 3:00Stepping forward in stance
- 2:00Stepping backward
- 2:00Stance with punches
- 1:00Calf and hip stretch
Safety
Lower the stance gradually to protect your knees.
Instructor disclaimer
Follow your instructor's version. Schools and styles teach this technique differently. This page is general education, not a substitute for qualified instruction.
