猫足立ちNeko-ashi-dachi — Cat stance

Neko-ashi-dachi (猫足立ち, “cat stance”) is a short, springy stance with about 90% of the weight on the bent back leg and the front foot resting only on the ball, heel raised — like a cat about to pounce. The light front leg is free to kick or step instantly. It is comparatively rare in Shotokan, which favours the back stance.

TypeStance (dachi)

Weight~90% back / 10% front

Front footBall only, heel up

LengthShort

UseMobile, front-leg kicks

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

Sink onto a deeply bent back leg, back foot turned out about 45° with the heel flat and rooted.
Place the front foot only about one foot-length ahead, resting on the ball with the heel clearly raised.
Keep almost all the weight (~90%) on the back leg; the front foot carries almost none.
Bend the front knee forward and slightly in, so the front leg is loaded to kick.
Hold the upper body upright over the back leg, hips tucked — do not lean forward.

Key points

~90% of the weight on the back leg.
Front heel clearly raised, weight on the ball only.
Upper body upright over the back leg, hips tucked.

Common mistakes

Letting the front heel drop or putting weight on the front foot.

Leaning forward or bending at the waist toward the front foot.

Sticking the buttocks out instead of sinking onto the back leg.

A cramped, too-short stance or the back knee caving inward.

Where you’ll see it

Neko-ashi-dachi appears across the Shotokan kata syllabus, including:

Gojūshiho Shō Gojūshiho Dai Unsu Bassai Shō Nijūshiho Gankaku

Application (bunkai)分解

The weight-back, spring-loaded posture lets you withdraw a leg from a low attack and fire a fast front-leg kick, or shift instantly — mobility and evasion over rooted 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 Neko-ashi-dachi performed at full speed, watch instructor demonstrations:

▶ Watch “Neko-ashi-dachi” on YouTube

Related techniques

Kokutsu-dachi後屈立ち Zenkutsu-dachi前屈立ち Kiba-dachi騎馬立ち

Neko-ashi-dachi — frequently asked questions

What is the weight distribution in cat stance?

About 90% on the back leg and 10% on the front (some teachers say up to 95/5). The back leg carries you; the front foot rests lightly on the ball.

What is the difference between neko-ashi-dachi and kokutsu-dachi?

Both are back-weighted, but kokutsu-dachi (back stance) is longer and wider (~70/30) with the front heel down and foot flat. Neko-ashi-dachi is much shorter and more upright (~90/10) with the front heel raised — far more mobile and spring-loaded.

Why is it called cat stance?

The raised front heel and light, ready front foot mimic a cat poised to spring — quick to launch a front-leg kick or to evade.

Which kata use cat stance in Shotokan?

Chiefly advanced kata: Gojūshiho Shō and Dai, Unsu and Bassai Shō, plus Nijūshiho, Meikyō and Gankaku. It is used less in Shotokan than in styles such as Shitō-ryū.