The Back Stance or Kokutsu Dachi is primarily a defensive stance that is used to evade a roundhouse technique or any other technique that targets the upper part of the body. Similar to the front stance, the back stance maintains a position where the weight is 60% to 70% on the back leg.
To complete the back stance, stand in a front stance and shift your weight to the rear leg. While shifting your weight rotate your body so that your feet run parallel but at a 90 degree angle from Shomen. Make sure that your upper body remains as upright as possible. Extend the right arm down with the open hand palm down. This is known as a lower guard and most often used with the back stance. Keep your eyes focused on the opponent in front of you.
- Stand in a front stance.
- Lift your body and shift your weight from the front leg to 60% or 70% on the back leg.
- Rotate your body so that your feet run parallel at a 90 degree angle to Shomen.
- Extend the front arm down in a lower guard.
- Keep your eyes focused on your opponent ahead of you.
The diagram below shows the proper positioning of the feet as seen from above. Note that in many styles of Chinese Kung-Fu the front foot points forward.
In many Budo styles, when the back stance incorporates a high guard (Hasso Kamae) then the stance is referred to as the Snake Stance. This positioning is shown in the photos below: