Class led by Sensai.

Worked on moving and blocking drills with Sempai. Emphasis was on avoiding attacks while limiting movement and at the same time generating power.

One drill was to block an incoming punch by stepping back and blocking uchi-uke. Then move the opponents arm out of the way by blocking down gedan-uchi, followed by a counter-attack. Sempai stressed turning the wrist of the blocking arm on the uchi-uke, relaxing and allowing the natural arm motion to move the opponent, rather than trying to use a lot of muscle. Twisting at the waist as you transition from jigotai-dachi to zenkutsu-dachi on the downblock generates the power.

Another was to block an incoming punch by stepping back and using an elbow block. The point was to move out of the way and touch but not block the attack with power.

A related drill was to block a mai-geri attack by stepping back into jigotai-dachi and blocking gedan-uchi on the outside of the attackers leg.
This can transition into the same motion as uchi-uke and if timed correctly, naturally traps the opponents leg as they try to rechamber the foot.

Worked on a drill using makite-uke (winding block) to block an incoming front punch. The block comes up and across the body and is augmented with the other hand below the elbow of the blocking arm. Sensai said this is one of the easiest techniques to see how power can be generated from the center of the body. Sempai talked about this move being in the opening part of Wankan.

Yet another was to simply step to the side to avoid a mai-geri attack.

In sparring, Sempai talked about my need to relax, deliver a combination of attacks and move to the side. Feints and leg movements can be used to disrupt an opponents expected attack, but should be followed up with an immediate counter-attack. I need to work on moving and closing distance without making it obvious.