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DaveB
DaveB's picture
Applications of Fudo dachi

The immovable stance of Shotokan features most prominently in the kata Sochin, but has also been retconned into a number of other kata by the gods of Shotokan.

My question is do any of you pragmatic Shotokan folks make use of the stance, and if so how? Where does it fit and what function does it fulfil? What does it's presence in a kata say to you about the kata's use?

ShotoRick
ShotoRick's picture

Fudo dachi is a funny stance in that there seems to be a number of variations depending and where you learn it from. The name though speaks volumes, "Immovable stance". I like to look at that stance from two perspectives.

1. Immovable - The fact that it has this name indicates that you need to be grounded for something. So looking at Sochin we see multiple pushing techniques when employing this stance. Taking into account the angle as well this is pretty good indication that the stance can be used for throwing people over the front leg. Having a rooted low base definitly helps in doing this.

2. Contraction/Expansion - Since shotokan's low stances are there to build leg strengh we have to take a look at them when they are performed at a more natural height. If you look at a "higher" fudo dachi it very much resembles a boxers stance, a stance that provides a strong hip rotation for striking. If you have ever been attacked by a fast opponent you may find that your block/evasion stance may very much resemble that of a fudo dachi providing a "coiling" for a strong fast counter.

Just my thoughts, oss!

Andrew Carr-Locke
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Look into how you have to distribute your weight when standing in someone’s guard, as in passing guard standing when the opponent is on the ground. You will find that the leg pressures are the same, as it should be- when standing in someone's guard attacks- you need to be immoveable. 

DaveB
DaveB's picture
Thanks guys.

Andrew, does your analysis mean that you apply Sochin kata as ground fighting?

Andrew Carr-Locke
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It's more along the lines of while passing guard, I noticed that the pressure I needed in the legs, forward and laterally simultaneously- was the same as fudo-datchi, or Sochin stance. Reflecting on it, it was the beginning of my investigation of all my karate concepts in ground fighting and the beginning of what I would call Shotokan Jujitsu. I certainly use the stance. 

As for the rest of the Sochin kata, strictly speaking for bunkai, I have not investigated it enough to say if it is all applicable to similar situations or how it may be used for grappling and ground fighting. It is an interesting thought however, to relate the use of kata bunkai, to situations based upon the stances of the kata. I wonder what that would say about Hangetsu or Gankaku too.