Tachiai: Initial Charge
Tachiai (立ち合い) is the initial charge that begins a sumo bout. Both wrestlers crouch at the shikiri-sen (starting lines) and must touch both fists to the clay before launching forward simultaneously.
The rules require both wrestlers to have both fists on the ground and to charge at the same moment. If one wrestler jumps the start (matta), the bout is restarted. A powerful, well-timed tachiai can immediately put an opponent at a severe disadvantage, while a poor tachiai often leads to defeat even for technically superior wrestlers.
An effective tachiai combines timing, leg drive, hand placement, and a plan for the first grip or thrust. It is not simply a collision. Some wrestlers aim for a belt immediately, while pushing specialists try to keep space and move the opponent's upper body.