Shodan Examination Kihon

At present my kihon training is completely dedicated to the Shodan Exam Fundamentals with emphasis on “Waza no naka ni waza ga aru” which roughly translates as “There are techniques within a technique”.

Essentially I am breaking down the shodan-shinsa kihon for some general ‘fine tuning’. Namely, my attention is on: (A) Technique start positions and initiations; (B) Tight chambering/Windups; (C) Trajectory throughout each technique and the corresponding footwork/body shifts; and (D) Smooth recovery. The overall theme is ‘Kihon for Kumite’, especially in regards to effectiveness in the quarter, half, and three quarter stages of techniques. Insofar as kata and kumite practice is concerned, please check my last training regime (http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2009/04/karate-do-keiko.html) as I’m still following last month’s schedule.

The Shodan Examination Fundamentals I'm practicing are as follows (please note, that all stances are zenkutsu-dachi unless otherwise mentioned in brackets):

(1) Tobi konde sanbon zuki; (2) Jodan age uke kara chudan mae geri soshite chudan gyaku zuki; (3) Chudan soto uke kara yori ashi chudan yoko empi uchi (kiba dachi), uraken yokomawashi uchi soshite chudan gyaku zuki; (4) Chudan shuto uke (kokutsu dachi) kara chudan mae ashi mae geri soshite chudan tateshihon nukite gyaku zuki; (5) Gedan barai kara chudan uchi uke (neko ashi dachi), jodan ura zuki soshite yori ashi chudan gyaku zuki; (6) Chudan mae geri kara jodan tate mawashi geri soshite chudan gyaku zuki; (7) Chudan ushiro geri kara chudan gyaku zuki; (8) Kaiten shinagara jodan uraken yoko uchi kara chudan gyaku zuki; (9) Yoko keage kara yoko kekomi; and (10) Jodan soto uke kara yoko yori ashi gedan barai, chudan mae ashi mae geri soshite chudan gyaku zuki.

Overall, my practice of the shodan-shinsa kihon has been very physically and mentally challenging, especially in regards to the dissection of techniques. It really is a case of eradicating those bad habits, which inevitably creep back in, and to continue seeking a higher level. All the best from Oita-ken, Japan.

_________

© André Bertel, Japan 2009