Kosa Dachi
交差立ち
Literally: crossed stance
A crossed stance with the rear knee pressed behind the front leg; a transitional stance in kata, for example after the jump in Heian Godan.
Quick Facts
Katas containing this technique
About
Kosa dachi (交差立ち), literally crossed stance, appears according to the Japan Karate Federation mainly in kata. The legs cross so that the knee of the rear leg presses into the back of the knee of the front leg, which is slightly bent. The rear foot stands only on its toes and the ball of the foot. Depending on the style, the rear foot is placed either directly behind the front foot or to the side; both count as kosa dachi. The weight rests mainly on the front leg, and the stance serves as a transition between movements. In Shotokan it appears in the kata Heian Yondan and twice in Heian Godan: once with the reinforced block morote uke, and again after a high jump, when the practitioner lands in a low kosa dachi with the lower crossed fist block, gedan juji uke.