The translation of Neko ashi dachi is "cat's foot stance." The association comes from the cat's posture just before pouncing on its prey.
The Neko ashi dachi places considerable strain on the thigh muscles of the back leg. Both legs should be bent as much as possible to ensure the height of the stance is kept low.
Because approximately 90% of the weight in Neko ashi dachi is shifted to the back leg, it's easy to execute a quick and unnoticed mae geri with the front leg without shifting the body weight in front of it. This makes it difficult for the opponent to recognize the technique early on, as the preparation is virtually unpredictable.
The front foot, pointing forward, touches the ground only with the ball of the foot. The back foot is slightly tilted, as in Hachi ji dachi and Musubi dachi, or like the back foot of Zenkutsu dachi. Both legs are sharply bent, with the lower leg of the front leg vertical or slightly extended forward.
As in Kōkutsu dachi, both heels are in line.
