Karate positions

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In karate there are various positions ( Japanese 立 ち 技 , tachiwaza , literally positional technique ) that a karateka can use in the various situations that arise during training or combat. All of these positions have in common that they provide stability, flexibility and mobility in different ways. However, each position has its own priorities, some of which are based on the philosophy of the underlying style. For example, the Sanchin-Dachi developed in the Shōrei-Ryū is a very powerful, static position, while the Neko-Ashi-Dachi , which comes from the Shōrin-Ryū , places mobility over stability.

Regardless of the style, the principle in karate is that the position forms the foundation of every technique, without which the technique cannot develop. It is not for nothing that Japanese does not speak of "positions" but rather of "position techniques", which underlines the importance of the correct execution of positions.

overview

In a fight, the legs, the connection between the body and the ground, are responsible for both movement in space and for stabilizing karateka and thus largely responsible for the effectiveness of the techniques used. Therefore, the position must always be adapted to factors such as the concrete situation, the physique of the combatants, the technique and the combat tactics, which requires infinite variations and intermediate positions. When describing and communicating, one therefore usually limits oneself to a few, prototypical positions that can be clearly distinguished from one another in shape and function and at the same time cover as many areas of application as possible. However, this selection is by no means fixed, but slightly different depending on the style and subject to change over time. Masatoshi Nakayama, for example, describes 15 different positions that occur in the kata of Shōtokan karate. However, there are also authors who limit themselves further to what they consider to be a central part of the positions. Gichin Funakoshi only names seven positions: Heisoko-Dachi , Hachiji-Dachi , Zenkutsu-Dachi , Kokutsu-Dachi , Neko-Ashi-Dachi , Kiba-Dachi and Fudo-Dachi .

Naming

The names of all positions come from Japanese. Position is called tachi ( 立 ち ) in Japanese , and each word is preceded by a description of the position. Here, the initial sound of the word changes Tachi to a d , hence it means Zenkutsu-Dachi .

properties

In karate, and in general in all martial arts, positions can be roughly divided into two categories: On the one hand, into more passive basic positions and, on the other hand, those that are used in preparation for or during the execution of a technique. Their properties can be described in the following categories:

  • Alignment (front, side)
  • Distance (short, long)
  • Distribution of body weight
  • stability
  • flexibility

Alignment and distance describe the relationship to the (imaginary) opponent: Do you turn the front or flank towards him, do you exert pressure or do you withdraw? Stability means the ability to transfer power to or from your opponent, and flexibility describes how easily you can change your position in space. While alignment and distance can be chosen freely, stability and flexibility are two opposing goals. The former can be achieved through

  • a low center of gravity,
  • associated with a large stand area,
  • strong holding muscles and
  • more body weight.

All these aspects work against flexibility at the same time. For conditioning , all positions in training are usually carried out deeper and with a larger footprint than in the real application. This difference is illustrated very clearly by the following quote from Funakoshi :

"The equestrian position - Kiba dachi 騎馬 立 ち - for example looks very simple, but the fact is that no one can master it, even if he practices every day for a whole year until his feet are as heavy as lead."

- Gichin Funakoshi : Karate-Dô - My way

Basic positions

Basic postures (Japanese 自然 体 Shizentai , German 'natural posture' ) are designed to be maintained over a long period of time. In karate, they are mostly used in situations where there is no direct threat. Rather, they express a fundamental readiness. To relieve the strain as much as possible, the legs are almost straight (but the knees are not pushed through) and the upper body is upright. Stability takes a back seat to the possibility of quickly moving into an effective fighting stance after a potentially long period of rest. In most of the basic positions, the body is turned towards the opponent without assuming a particular distance to the partner. Exceptions are Teiji-Dachi and Renoji-Dachi , in which the body is turned off and somewhat withdrawn. In self-defense , the basic positions also have a de-escalating effect in addition to flexibility, as no open readiness to fight is signaled.

  • Heisoku-Dachi

  • Musubi-Dachi

  • Hachiji-Dachi

  • Uchi-Hachiji-Dachi

  • Heiko-Dachi

  • Teiji-Dachi

  • Renoji-Dachi

  • Heisoku-Dachi 閉 足 立 ち - closed parallel position: the legs and feet are completely closed ( 閉 足 = closed feet), the arms are usually close to the body. This position is reminiscent of the Bundeswehr's "watch out" position. Kata often begin and end in Heisoku dachi, e.g. B. Bassai Dai , Empi , Jion , and also individual techniques within Kata are performed in Heisoku dachi, e.g. B. at the beginning of Heian Sandan and Heian Godan .
  • Musubi-Dachi 結 び 立 ち - connected position: This position is similar to Heisoku dachi, except that the outer edges of the feet point approximately at right angles apart. It is mainly used for greeting ( ritsu rei ). In the Gōjū-Ryū style , the kata are started and ended with this stand.
  • Hachiji-Dachi 八字 立 ち - open foot position: This position takes its name from the position of the feet, which (viewed from the front) are set like the Kanji 八 (eight). Stand shoulder width apart, with toes pointing slightly outwards. An alternative name for this position is Soto (outer) -Hachiji-Dachi ( 外 八字 立 ).
  • Uchi (inner) -Hachiji-Dachi 内 八字 立 ち - position with twisted feet: Here, too, the feet are shoulder-width apart, but with toes pointing slightly inward.
  • Heikō-Dachi 平行 立 ち - open parallel position: Heikō dachi is the position that comes closest to natural standing, which is why laypeople usually do not perceive it as a specific position. It is similar to the two previously mentioned, except that the outer edges of the feet are parallel ( 平行 = parallel). Because the knees remain slightly turned outwards, the necessary (low) basic tension is generated in order to quickly change position if necessary. This is why it is used at the beginning and end of many kata, such as those from the Heian series. Since this position, which occurs in all styles and is the dominant stand-by position in karate training, comes closest to natural standing, the generic term Shizentai and Heikō-Dachi are often equated. Karate beginners practice both defense and attack techniques (mostly Choku-Zuki ) in Heikō-Dachi . In some kata, techniques are also performed in Heikō-Dachi , for example in Bassai-Dai or at the beginning of Kanku-Dai .
  • Teiji-Dachi 丁字 立 ち - T-position;Re'noji-Dachi レ の 字 立 ち - L-Position: These two positions get their names from Japanese characters that resemble them. In Teiji dachi , the feet are in the form of the character 丁 (or, in European categories, a capital T): one foot forms the axis, the other is 1 to 2 foot lengths behind it in the direction of the crossbar of the letter. Similar to Re'noji dachi: It resembles the character レ (or a capital L) and differs from the Teiji-Dachi only in that the rear foot is not centered, but so that the heel is on the extension of the front foot is located. In both positions, the hips are usually turned off so that the opponent has a visually smaller and therefore less threatening target, which is intended to reduce the potential for aggression in self-defense situations. Depending on the style, for example the Tettsui in Heian Shodan is performed in Re'noji dachi, for example in the DJKB .

Combat stances

Basic stances differ from combat stances in that the basic stances are more unstable due to the high position of the hips and the feet standing next to each other and it is therefore more difficult to effectively absorb force from the front or to give it off. Therefore, one uses so-called fighting positions (Japanese 組 手 立 ち , Kumite dachi). You sacrifice part of the flexibility of the basic stance in favor of stability and a more variable distance to the opponent. The basic positions still allow strong techniques, because the power transmission works just like in a fighting position, without any restrictions. The fist or foot technique is just not quite as strong as in a fighting stance.

The posture of the rest of the body is also important for power transmission. All combat positions in which the feet are not directly next to or in front of each other can be performed with different hip positions. With attack techniques and two-armed blocks, the hip is usually aligned frontally towards the opponent, in standby ( kamae ) and with one-armed blocks the hip is turned 45 ° (in Kōkutsu dachi and Moto dachi 90 °) to the side. The connection between the legs and the body is achieved by tilting the pelvis forward; by tensing the abdominal muscles, it is prevented that “the buttocks look out”. The upper body (with a few exceptions, such as Yama zuki) remains in a vertical position all the time.

Funakoshi initially only introduced Zenkutsu-Dachi, Kokutsu-Dachi, Kiba-Dachi, Neko-Ashi-Dachi and later Fudo-Dachi, but a number of other positions developed over time.

  • Zenkutsu-Dachi / Fudo-Dachi / Sochin-Dachi

  • Kokutsu-Dachi

  • Shiko-Dachi

  • Neko-Ashi-Dachi

  • Sanchin-Dachi

  • Hangetsu dachi

  • Kosa-Dachi

  • Moto-Dachi

  • Sagi-Ashi-Dachi / Tsuru-Ashi-Dachi

Nakayama distinguishes between the following fighting positions:

  • Zenkutsu-Dachi 前屈 立 ち - Forward position: In this position the feet are about one shoulder width apart and one and a half shoulder width in front of each other (see graphic). The front foot is turned slightly inwards so that its outer edge points roughly forward; the back foot is parallel to it. The back leg is straight, the knee of the front leg is bent and is above the heel or metatarsus. As a result of this position, about 70% of the body weight rests on the front foot. Zenkutsu dachi is the most prominent position in Shōtōkan karate, in which, with a few exceptions, all elementary school techniques (kihon) are performed. The hip position differs depending on the application: With most attack techniques and two-sided blocks, the hip points straight towards the opponent, in kamae and with one-sided blocks, the hip side on which the block is executed is closer to the opponent.
  • Kokutsu-Dachi 後 屈 立 ち - Backward position: In this position, the front foot and the rear heel are in line. The rear foot is turned a maximum of 90 °, the corresponding knee is stretched outwards. The front leg not fully extended to withstand attacks on the knee. In contrast to Taekwondo, the front foot is fully set up and evenly loaded. About 70–90% of the weight is on the back foot. Just like zenkutsu dachi, kōkutsu dachi occurs in practically all shōtōkan kata.
  • Kiba-Dachi 騎馬 立 ち - equestrian position: This position got its name from the fact that the performing karateka looks as if he were sitting on a very broad horse ( 騎馬 Kiba , German for 'riding, cavalry' ). The feet are about twice shoulder width apart. The outer edges of the feet are parallel to the front and the knees are as directly above the feet as possible. The hips and thus the body's center of gravity are exactly in the middle, and even more than in other positions, the internal tension in the thighs means that the pelvis is straightened (buttocks pull in). Funakoshi writes about this in his book Karatedō Kyōhan (1935): "Lower your hips. (...) You stand with your legs wide apart, as if you were sitting on a horse, and your feet are firmly placed on the ground. Pull the inner thighs with force. The outer edge of the soles of both feet must feel as if they are being pulled towards the middle. This is why it is also called kiba-dachi - horse riding position. " The Gōjū-Ryū prefers the Kiba dachi to the Shiko dachi.
  • Shiko-Dachi 四 股 立 ち - open standby position: Shiko dachi (literally four-legged stand) is a wide-legged, deep, open standby position in karate. Except for the foot position (the feet point 45 ° outwards) it is identical to Kiba dachi and is therefore often confused with this position. The tension in the lower legs is less than in the case of Kiba dachi, as the outward orientation of the feet is more in line with the natural tendency. Shiko Dachi is preferred in some styles (such as Gōjū-Ryū ) over Kiba dachi, in Shōtōkan it is the other way around.
  • Fudo-Dachi 不 動 立 ち (or Sochin dachi 壯 鎭 立 ち ) - immobile position: According to Funakoshi, this very stable position from Zenkutsu dachi is achieved by slightly bending the back knee and turning the hip into an open position (hanmi). The weight rests equally on both legs. Fudō dachi differs from Kiba dachi only in the direction in which the feet and gaze point, so that the position can also be developed from this. As an application, Nakayama recommends repelling a strong attack with an immediate counterattack. The alternative name Sōchin dachi is derived from the Kata Sōchin , which is mainly performed in this position. (Master Taiji Kase, however, made a slight distinction between Fudo and Sōchin-Dachi: While in Sōchin-Dachi the front foot - as shown in the picture above - is turned slightly inward, according to Kase the toes in Fudo-Dachi point straight forward .)
  • Neko-Ashi-Dachi 猫 足 立 ち - Cat foot position: This position gets its name from the fact that it resembles that of a cat shortly before the jump. The entire weight rests on the rear leg, which is strongly bent and 45 ° outwards. The ball of the front foot only touches the ground without taking up any weight. The front knee bends slightly inward to protect the genitals. This position is very flexible and allows quick movements in any direction.
  • Sanchin-Dachi 三 戦 立 ち - Dreikriestellung: The feet are a shoulder width apart and a foot length behind each other, so that the toes of the back and the heel of the front foot are at the same level. The back foot is pointed straight forward, the front foot turned slightly inward. The weight is evenly distributed on both feet. The bent knees, unlike in most other positions, are turned inward and tensed. This is where the name hourglass stand , which is particularly common in the English-speaking world, comes from . However, if the knees are bent too far inwards, stability suffers, the knees are put under unhealthy strain and the position is prone to attacks on the outside of the knees.
  • Hangetsu-Dachi 半月 立 ち - Half-moon position: This position is between Zenkutsu dachi and Sanchin dachi. The position of the feet is almost the same as in Zenkutsu dachi, but the position is slightly shorter. The position of the knees and the tension in the legs correspond to Sanchin dachi, in particular the weight is distributed equally between both feet. The pose gets its name just like the Kata Hangetsu , in which most of the techniques in Hangetsu dachi are performed, from the stepping motion in Hangetsu dachi, in which the back foot moves forward in a crescent shape.

The following positions also occur in modern karate kata:

  • Kosa-Dachi 交差 立 ち - crossed position
  • Moto-Dachi 基 立 ち - high forward position
  • Sagi-Ashi-Dachi 鷺 足 立 ち - Heron foot position
  • Tsuru-Ashi-Dachi 鶴 足 立 ち - crane foot position

Move

All previous descriptions of the fighting positions refer to the position that is taken at the end of a technique. For the dynamics between these fixed points only this much:

Usually only one foot leaves the ground, the other rotates on the heel (not the ball of the foot) to its new position. If the hip has to change its position to the opponent between the start and end position, this change is initiated as early as possible. The whole body and especially the hips must not come up when changing position.

See also

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Horst Espeloer, Ulrich Heckhuis, Horst Nehm: Goju-Ryu Karate-Do , ISBN 978-3-0000-1342-3

  1. ↑ Funakoshi, Gichin / 富 名 腰 義 珍: Karatedō Kyōhan / 空手道 教 範 . Ōkura Kōbundō / 大 倉 廣 文 堂, 1935.