Zenkutsu dachi

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Zenkutsu dachi, or 'Front Stance' in English, is a traditional stance used in Karate, its derivatives, and even many non-Japanese martial arts, such as Tae Kwon Do. It more literally translates to 'forward leaning stance', although this can be deceptive, as leaning forward more than a few degrees is incorrect.

In traditional karate schools, zenkutsu dachi is likely the very first stance a new student will learn.

In a correct execution of the stance, which is visually reminiscent of a lunge, one leg will be forward, with the knee bent 45 to 90 degrees (depending on the length of the stance, see below), and the front foot pointing roughly forward. Unlike a lunge, the rear knee must be straight and locked with the rear foot pointed about 45 degrees, and the heel of the rear foot maintains contact with the ground. Most difficultly, the entire torso (from the hips to the shoulders) should face squarely foward.

The distance the feet are from one another varies greatly by style and school. A 'median' spacing, so to speak, would be as follows:

Picturing a rectangle inscribed on the ground that is exactly as wide as the student's shoulders, and twice the length, place the feet on opposite corners. (A silly, though effective, tool is to practice in the bathtub, placing one's feet in opposite corners)

In contrast, Shotokan students generally place their feet much wider, and Isshin Ryū students place their feet shoulder width, but with much shallower length. Other variations also exist.