Standing and entering - hanmi and irimi
- Hanmi - basic stance
Hidari hanmi
Migi hanmiYour feet should be about a shoulder-width apart, with knees flexed and your weight slightly towards the front foot.
- Irimi - moving in
Slide your front foot diagonally forward, off the line of attack. Bring your back foot up to resume your stance.
This sliding stepping is known as Suri-Ashi. The feet do not leave contact with the ground, but whisper across its surface.
- Ayumi ashi irimi - stepping through
Step through with the back foot, diagonally off the line of attack. Bring the other foot in behind to resume your stance.
When you have completed the movement, you should have changed your stance from migi hanmi to hidari hanmi (or vice-versa).