Tag Archives: yakusoku kumite

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February first

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Ido Kihon

Kizame-zuki sliding forward – Sensai said my basics were good, but that I need to get more hip rotation to drive the punch.
Chudan/Gedan shuto-uke both forward and backward. Sensai complimented my gedan shuto-uke.

Added a few other techniques moving across the floor:

chudan soto-uke kosa-dachi, front kick (from Pinan Shodan)
gedan kosa-uke
morote soe-uke

Also need to work on my hip rotation with gedan uke, gedan kosa-uke and morote soe-uke.

My gedan kosa-uke was awkward when blocking down with my right hand. In Pinan Yondan and Godan the blocks are with the left.
Partner drills, with 2 partners

worked on kicks (front, side, roundhouse and spinning back) alternating legs and direction.

blocking/punching drill from Yakusoku kumite #6. Partner on left steps and does a right front punch. Block right with inside chest block followed by uraken. Then, partner on right steps and does a left front punch. Block by covering with left hand, then step in left while switching blocking hands and finish with inside left-hand uraken.

Kata

Fukyugata Ichi/Ni, Pinan Shodan/Yondan, Naihanchi Shodan

Need to focus on Pinan Yondan this month – especially stance after kicks and turns.

Kumite

Didn’t feel my sparring was especially good – hesitant, and poor use of combination attacks. Accidentally, landed a punch to Sensai Palmer’s chin while sparring. He rushed in with several quick attacks and with the distance, it just happened. Apologized several times, but felt bad and couldn’t help feeling that I should have had better control.

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A Frozen January Monday

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Sempai lead the class and worked on applying techniques in street situations.

With partner, worked on double blocks while stepping forward at an angle or sideways and preferrably to the outside of the attack. Works especially well when the opponent fully commits. Allows you to use his momentum against him. Also leaves you in close and takes away an opponents second attack. Sempai stressed counter-attacking immediately from a block (without chambering).

An alternative is stepping to either side and pivoting on the same foot to attack. Never retreat more than 2 steps – think yakusoku kumite #2.

Worked on kicks – Mae geri and yoko geri. When executing the side kick, fully turn supporting foot in order to rotate hip. Allows you to strike with power using your heel.

Can step behind supporting foot when performing mae geri from front leg. Actually makes it easier to get the proper rotation, but creates the tendency to end up with your back to the opponent after the kick.

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Saturday, kumite week

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Man, do I need to work on moving. At times today it felt like I was starting all over. Worked on drills

Attacking with Jodan zuki, Double step, kizame zuki

Defending with Shukoken, Double step backwards, kizame zuki

This drill is good for working on distance. Sensai stressed turning the hips to drive the punches.

Then did the same drill only with various front leg kicks instead of punches. On defense, used the double step to get out of the way, (rather than block) and counter attack. Sensai, said that the kicks tend to cover more ground than the punches, but that they should be the same.

Attacking by sliding forward, kizame zuki then step, kizami zuki

Same footwork backwards on defense.

Worked on yakusoku kumite 6. O Sensai downplayed the violence here by changing the strike to uraken. Originally, the strike would have been an arm break.

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Monday, kumite week

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Kumite

Lots of free sparring. Sempai Wands emphasized moving right and left and attacking at the same time. Harder to see and defend than attacking from the front.

Yakusoku kumite

Practiced 1-7. I need a lot of work here. I appreciate Laura and John’s forbearance. Sensai was critical of our effort and focus. Need to make sure this is not lifeless kumite and that techniques are delivered and defended against as if it was a real fight. Referenced O Sensai’s book.

Technique

Practiced punches on the makiwara and kicks to the bag. Sensai pointed out that I need to use the outside of my foot more on the yoko geri. I was either using my heel or not turning my ankle enough. My right-hand punches were generally correct, but some of the ones on the left were not landing on the index and middle knucles.

Kata

Sensai went over the counts in Naihanchi Nidan and Sandan. Mostly, each count has 1 technique in Nidan however several in Sandan have 2-3.

Reviewed Kihon Kama Ichi/Ni. I have the basic pattern down. Sensai emphasized jigotai to zenkutsu-dachi transitions in the strikes.