騎馬立ちKiba-dachi — Horse stance

Kiba-dachi (騎馬立ち, “horse-riding stance”) is a wide, symmetrical stance with the feet parallel and the weight split evenly — as if sitting on a horse. It builds leg strength and delivers power to the side, and it is the sole stance of the three Tekki kata.

TypeStance (dachi)

Weight50 / 50

Width~2 shoulder widths

FeetParallel

UseSide power, Tekki

See the technique型

Toggle between the phases. These are simplified schematics of the shape of the technique — pair them with the step-by-step below and your instructor.

A diagram shows the shape, not the speed or feel. For full-motion form, watch the reference video below and train it live.

How to perform it

Stand with the feet about two shoulder-widths apart, pointing straight forward (parallel).
Bend both knees and sink straight down, pushing the knees outward over the feet.
Keep the weight evenly on both legs and the hips level.
Hold the upper body upright, chest open, tailbone tucked slightly under.
Grip the floor with the feet — the outward knee tension is what makes it strong.

Key points

Feet truly parallel — not turned out.
Knees pushed out over the feet, never caving inward.
Back vertical; sink by bending the knees, not by leaning.

Common mistakes

Letting the knees roll inward (the most common fault).

Feet turning outward, which weakens the base.

Standing too high, so the stance has no rooting.

Where you’ll see it

Kiba-dachi appears across the Shotokan kata syllabus, including:

Tekki Shodan Tekki Nidan Tekki Sandan Heian Nidan Bassai Dai

Application (bunkai)分解

Kiba-dachi roots you for close-range fighting to the side — the whole Tekki series is understood as combat along a line or against a wall — and its low, wide base makes it ideal for delivering and absorbing sideways power.

Note: applications are interpretive and one shape carries several valid uses — explore them with a qualified instructor.

Watch a reference performance演武

To see Kiba-dachi performed at full speed, watch instructor demonstrations:

▶ Watch “Kiba-dachi” on YouTube

Related techniques

Zenkutsu-dachi前屈立ち Kokutsu-dachi後屈立ち tekki-shodan

Kiba-dachi — frequently asked questions

Why is it called horse stance?

Because the wide, sunk posture with knees out resembles sitting astride a horse. The name captures both the shape and the rooted, grounded feel.

Which kata use kiba-dachi?

All three Tekki kata are performed entirely in kiba-dachi; it also appears in Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Bassai Dai and others.

What is the most common mistake?

Letting the knees collapse inward. The knees must be actively pushed out over the feet to keep the stance strong.