The shortest kata in the Heian series, Heian Sandan has 20 movements and the embusen is almost I-shaped. This Kata is not as long or varied as Heian Nidan.
Heian Sandan is known for it’s four sets of fast, simultaneous block/strike combinations at the start of the Kata. This Kata has the first use of Kiba-dachi (horse riding stance) in a shotokan Kata, we see fumikomi (stamping kick) and spinning techniques for the first time. As with Heian Nidan there are several examples of simultaneous block/strike techniques in Heian Sandan.
