Shotokan Karate Club at
Both partners in zenkutsu dachi with same
leg forward, both hands out in front held palm to palm. Take turns raising
front leg as in the beginning on a front kick and holding up for a few seconds.
After taking turns several times, both partners simultaneously raise their
front leg on the same side and hold for about 15 seconds.
Important points:
1. The foot of the supporting leg has to be turned fully forward.
2. The supporting leg has to be straight (not bent at the knee).
3. The hips have to be pushed forward.
4. The upper body should be completely vertical; in other words do
not lean forward.
Both partners in zenkutsu dachi with opposite
leg forward. One partner kicks with rear leg three times. First kick is chudan
mae geri, second is diagonal chudan mawashi geri, and third is jodan
(horizontal) mawashi geri.
Important points:
1. While executing the kick the supporting leg has to be bent at
the knee, so the proper orientation of the hips is maintained.
2. Appropriate distance allows the partners to reach each other
with the kick. For chudan mae geri and diagonal chudan mawashi geri the leg
should reach the opponent while it is slightly bent at the knee. For jodan
mawashi geri the kicking leg is usually straight.
3. During each kick the hips should be fully pushed forward. It is
really important to emphasize during jodan mawashi geri, during which the hips
should be in front of the supporting leg. In other words the supporting leg
should not be vertical, but should make a 75-80 degree angle with the floor.
Shuto uke practice in kokutsu dachi. When
stepping forward at each count do two steps forward and then one backward. When
stepping backward do two steps back and one step forward
Important points:
1. All three of the steps into kokutsu dachi have to be executed
with precision. Often times the step in the middle becomes just a transitional
step that has no resemblance to kokutsu dachi.
2. The proper position of the arm in shuto uke has to be
emphasized: the arm is bent 90 degrees at the elbow, the wrist is straight, the
fingers are tight, and the elbow is about one fist away from the ribcage.
Partners in zenkutsu dachi with same leg
forward, not directly facing. Instead, the outside of the front feet are almost
touching. On the count, the first partner will do kizami tsuki then gyaku tsuki
(both of them are in place). The second partner must try to perform a
stepping-forward oi tsuki before the first partner completes the second punch.
After several repetitions, switch partners. Then switch back, this time instead
of moving by the count the first partner initiates with the kizami tsuki and
the second partner has to try to finish the stepping-forward oi tsuki.
Walking kicking practice in zenkutsu dachi.
First step forward kick, second is a rear leg kick staying in place. The
sequence can be mae geri, mae geri or mae geri, mawashi geri.
Both partners are in zenkutsu dachi with
same leg forward (mirror image). The partner who does not kick (defender) has
to be in narrow front stance. The attacker slowly kicks yoko geri with rear leg
and places the edge of the foot just above the belt of the defender on the same
side where the opponent’s leg is forward. The defender slowly shifts back into
kokutsu dachi while the attacker holds kick position by keeping kicking foot on
defender. Slowly shift back and forth several times.
Important points:
1. The attacker has to keep the hips tucked in (in the same plane with
the body).
2. The defender has to maintain good posture and proper zenkutsu
and kokutsu dachi.
Partners stand next to each other facing in
the same direction, almost shoulder to shoulder. The defender holds out both hands
just above waist-level, palms down. On the count the attacker raises the knee
to prepare for yoko geri keage so that the knee touches the closer hand of the
defender. Hold this position for a moment, and then complete the yoko geri
keage on the second count so that the edge of the foot strikes the far hand of
the defender. This exercise can be performed moving in kiba dachi.
Important points:
1. The attacker has to keep the back straight and the hips tucked
underneath of the body.
2. During the extension of the kicking leg (last part of the kick)
the motion of the upper body should be minimized.
Partners stand next to each other facing in
the same direction. Stand holding each other's nearer elbow such that the arms
are straight. Take turns performing yoko geri keagi into each other's armpit.
Face each other, the attacker in zenkutsu
dachi defender in yoi dachi. Attacker steps forward performing chudan oi tsuki.
Defender steps straight back, blocking to the inside and then performing gyaku
tsuki. Repeat, except second time the defender steps back 45 degrees to the
attacker’s outside. Repeat third time; this time the defender shifts slightly
to the side and then rotate a full 90 degrees to the direction of the attacker,
responding from the first partner's outside/back.
Important points:
1. The hips should be tucked under the body while moving back or to
the side during blocking
2. The attacker should deliver a good oi tsuki
3. The defender should not hesitate or shuffle with the legs while
responding to the attack
4. The defender should keep the body straight at all times of the
block and counter attack.