Kneeling

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Kneeling is mainly used as a transitional stance to enter or exit seiza, but has some fighting applications. Kneeling allows you to recover from a breakfall or drop kick without using your hands, so you can block while you recover, minimizing your vulnerability. Kneeling can also provide extra downward momentum for driving some takedowns.

Bend your leading leg 90°, so your shin is perpendicular to the floor, and your thigh is parallel to floor. Your trailing leg's shin rests on the ground, with the knee directly under the hip. Your trailing foot is directly behind its knee, touching the ground with the toes and the ball of the foot (“active toes”). Your instep does not contact the ground, because it is harder to stand or maneuver with “seal feet.” The leading heel and the trailing knee are a shoulder-width apart. Naturally, your shoulders remain above your hips, to ensure maximum stability.

Alternately, enter a horse stance and twist 90° while sinking, like a corkscrew.

[photo of kneeling from the front and side.]