Likes: 
A List...
... of the things that Kyu grades often hear, but seldom see written. Feel free to add, subtract, criticise, expand etc.
SK strikes are like a whip action, not a hammer.
Snap punches back until the elbow hits the chest
Never fully straighten the arms or legs during punches or kicks
When punching fully turn the shoulders, especially gyaku zuki
Do not 'push' the arm out. Concentrate more on the pull back. Whip action.
Hit with the first two knuckles for jodan, others for suigetsu
With normal punches keep the elbow vertically beneath the fist, not elbow out.
With uraken let the wrist go floppy and only tighten the fist at the moment of impact
Keep your chin tucked in close to the shoulder, head slightly down.
Disguise the breathing, use the stomach and keep the shoulders steady.
If you can see your opponents breathing, attack when he breaths in.
In randoori or a real fight only kiai with an open mouth when kicking (and counterpunch unlikely).
Do not look at where you are going to attack.
Do not telegraph your attack by blinking beforehand etc.
Mae-uchi and kinteki-geri are speed movements, not power ones.
Front foot usually faces the direction of attack
When kicking roundhouse or side thrust kick, the supporting heel points to the place of maximum power
When blocking open hand pull the fingers back
When pushing off from left or right stance turn the back foot toes forward (like a sprinter)
Generally defend against gedan kicks by using hiza-uke
When using hiza-uke turn the toes inwards so the block is not on the shinbone
Do not retreat so far under attack as to take you out of range of counterattack.
In general, if you are blocking then counter kicking, do not take a step back.
If you are being overwhelmed do not close your eyes, nor turn your back.
Blocks should always be executed at full power and always snapped back.
During blocking body evasion is used to put yourself behind the block, as well as the block being used to cover. It increases speed and safety.
When throwing (eg gyaku-gote) keep the elbows in, the hands close to the belt knot and the legs bent.
Do not bend forward when controlling an opponent, keep your back straight.
In randoori or real life, if a technique does not work, don't waste time messing about, use something else.
Do not ignore the importance of atemi with respect to juho techniques.
Almost all releases can be accomplished by simply moving the arms in a circle, either inward or outward.
When performing hikimi use the hip action to pull the leg back into cat stance ready to kick.
Dirk
Reply With Quote
)
Originally Posted by Steve Malton
