This Kata is perhaps the most difficult of the Naihanchi series to learn and appreciate. It incorporates many new movement sequences and sequences borrowed from earlier Naihanchi Kata versions. Once you become practiced at these movements they flow very easily and smoothly, but this level of smooth execution often does not come easily. This can be a very frustrating Kata to learn. On the other hand, you might pick it up very quickly, but that does not occur often. Take your time and understand that any difficulties you experience learning the Kata are quite normal.
Traditionally this Kata is performed using a Kiba Dachi for the delivery of most arm movements. This is inherently a weak stance when used to engage someone directly in front of you. Rather than pervert the Kata to use Sochin Dachi at odd angles, we have elected to maintain the Kiba Dachi throughout the form. You may optionally elect to use Naihanchi Dachi wherever a Kiba Dachi is specified. You might decide to practice the form with Naihanchi Dachi one time and with Kiba Dachi another.
This Kata calls for many strikes at Gedan level. These strikes are normally lower abdominal strikes rather than strikes at the leg level.
Once again, please refer to the article on the Octagon below if you are unfamiliar with the abbreviations utilized in the procedural description below.
Naihanchi Sandan Kata Procedure
| Step | Left Side | Right Side |
|---|---|---|
| Ichi | Perform the traditional opening salutation and then adopt Heisoku Dachi F1. Open both hands and place them, fingers down, in front of your lower abdomen. The left hand should be on top. | |
| Ni | Left hand in guard position. | Raise your right leg and deliver Migi Hiza Geri T1 while concurrently delivering Migi Jodan Kote Uchi T1. |
| San | Hidari Ura Chudan Uke T1 | Right hand in guard or set position |
| Yon | Hidari Gedan Barai T1 | Migi Ura Chudan Uke T1 |
| Go | Don’t move the left arm | Migi Jodan Empi Uchi T1 |
| Roku | Don’t move the left arm | Migi Jodan Tettsui Uchi T1 |
| Nana | Don’t move the left arm | Migi Jodan Tate Tettsui Uchi T1 |
| Hachi | Don’t move the left arm | Momentarily set the right arm then strike with Migi Chudan Ken Tsuki T1 |
| Ku | Without retracting the right arm, turn over the right wrist, bring the left hand up and forward, and deliver Migi Morote Ura Chudan Uke T1 | |
| Ju | Step L4 into Hidari Juji Dachi F1, then step R4 to form Kiba Dachi (or Naihanchi Dachi) F1, keeping the hands in the Migi Morote Ura Chudan Uke position while stepping. | |
| Ju Ichi | Migi Morote Gedan Barai T1 followed immediately by Migi Morote Gedan Tate Tettsui Uchi T1. | |
| Ju Ni | Chamber both hands briefly on your right hip then move the left hand to guard or set position then strike with Migi Morote Gedan Ken Tsuki T1. | |
| Ju San | Move the left hand to set position above the left hip. | Deliver Migi Ura Chudan Uke T1. |
| Ju Yon | Hidari Ura Chudan Uke | Migi Gedan Barai Uke |
| Ju Go | Hidari Morote Jodan Tettsui Uchi T1 | |
| Ju Roku | While maintaining the current hand positions, step R3 into Migi Juji Dachi F1 then deliver Hidari Nami Gaeshi Uke T1. Now step L3 into Kiba Dachi (or Naihanchi Dachi) F1 and strike with Hidari Jodan Morote Tettsui Uchi. | |
| Ju Nana | Hidari Jodan Empi Uchi | Right hand in guard or set position |
| Ju Hachi | Hidari Jodan Tettsui Uchi | Right hand in guard or set position |
| Ju Ku | Chamber both hands above the left hip then strike with Hidari Morote Gedan Ken Tsuki T1 | |
| Ni Ju | Hidari Morote Ura Chudan Uke T1 | |
| Ni Ju Ichi | Step R3 into a temporary Migi Juji Dachi F1 then step L3 into Hidari Sochin Dachi F5 while maintaining the prior hand positions. As you settle into the final stance deliver Hidari Morote Gedan Barai T5. | |
| Ni Ju Ni | Hidari Gedan Tate Tettsui Uchi T5 | Right hand in guard or set position |
| Ni Ju San | Hidari Gedan Ken Tsuki T5 | Right hand in guard or set position |
| Ni Ju Yon | Left hand in guard or set position | Migi Chudan Soto Shuto Uchi T7. |
| Ni Ju Go | Hidari Chudan Ken Tsuki T7 | Right hand in guard or set position |
| Ni Ju Roku | Step L4 into Hidari Juji Dachi F1 then deliver Migi Nami Gaeshi Uke T1. Step R4 into Kiba Dachi or Naihanchi Dachi F1 all while maintaining the previous hand positions. | |
| Ni Ju Nana | Hidari Ura Chudan Uke T1 | Right hand in guard or set position |
| Ni Ju Hachi | Hidari Gedan Barai T1 | Migi Ura Chudan Uke T1 |
| Ni Ju Ku | Left hand in guard or set position | Migi Jodan Empi Uchi T1 |
| San Ju | Left hand in guard or set position | Migi Jodan Tettsui Uchi T1 |
| San Ju Ichi | Left hand in guard or set position | Migi Jodan Tate Tettsui Uchi T1 |
| San Ju Ni | Left hand in guard or set position | Right hand in guard or set position |
| San Ju San | Yoi, Yame |