Cat stance

Neko-ashi dachi (literally: “cat’s foot stance”), or cat stance is a transitional movement. Do not remain in cat stance for any prolonged time. However, any time your feet move to transition from one stance to another, there is a brief moment spent in a cat stance.

[video stepping from one front stance to another from the side; then a slow-motion version of this which highlights the moment when your enter cat stance.]

Unlike other karate styles, a Goshin-Jutsu cat stance does not use a “T”-shaped foot placement. “T”-cat stances unnecessarily twist the knee, hindering mobility and placeing unnecessary stresses on this critical joint.

In a proper cat stance, the rear supporting foot points 45° outward, and carries 90% of your bodyweight. The rear knee is slightly bent. The front toes point straightforward, one shoulder-width away from the rear leg. Only the toes and the ball of the front foot contact the ground; the heel is raised, so that the instep is flush with the shin, like ballerina's foot. The front foot only carries 10% of your bodyweight -- just enough to maintain your balance.

Phrased differently, stand in a ready stance, and shift your weight to one side. Make a 1/8th turn to the other side, raise that heel, and sink.

[photo of cat stance from the front and side.]
      	

When performed correctly, cat stance will makes your quadriceps feel like they are on fire; this is especially true for tall or lanky individuals. If you feel no discomfort, then your stance is obviously too high, and you need to lower your center until you feel the burn. Leg power is the driving force behind all karate techniques, and this is achieved by not raising you center when transitioning from one stance to another. Bobbing up and down as you step robs the power from your techniques by converting the leg’s energy into worthless vertical motion, instead of driving it all into your opponent.

[video stepping from one in and out of cat stance; once properly, and once while bobbing.]

Extended cat stance

An extended cat stance, is like a cat stance, except the front is two shoulder-widths away from the rear leg.

Phrased differently, stand in a horse stance, and shift your weight to one side. Make a 1/8th turn to the other side, raise that heel, and sink.

[photo of extended cat stance from the front and side.]

Inverted cat stance

One common transition executed from cat stance is an inverted cat stance. From a cat stance, simultaneously lower one heel while raising the other. This sneaky move allows you to switch leading sides without any upper body motion, so you can deceive opponents by suddenly moving in any direction.

[video of inverting cat stance from the front and side]

Walking in cat stance

Walking in a cat stance is one way of silently (but slowly) transitioning forward in a way that allows rapidly turning to face another direction. This occasionally useful skill is subtly built into our kata. It also serves as an excellent drill to check if your center is rising as you transition.

Begin in an extended cat stance, and shift your weight forward into an abbreviated front stance. Then, pull your trailing leg up to your lead leg, and slide your trailing leg’s instep up along your calf into a sleeping crane stance. Finally step out into an extended cat stance on the other side, and repeat.

[video of walking cat stance, from the front  and side]

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