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Kiba Dachi

Kiba dachi is a karate stance. Pronounced 'key-bar-datch'. Also known as the horse riding stance. Kiba Dachi is quite a wide stance and is found in many Asian martial art styles, not just karate.

In this stance, the feet should be parallel pointing straight forward with the legs stretched open at roughly two shoulder widths wide. The exact length of this stance can vary in different martial art styles. The stance is used as a sideways fighting stance, as head on confrontation in this stance could leave the groin totally exposed to kicks or strikes.

Kiba Dachi which gets its name from the shape of a person riding a horse, is classed as a very importance stance in most styles. Training hard in this stance will result in strong legs which is needed to fully master the art of the stance and karate in general.