Bassai Sho

基本  (KIHON): Today’s training focused on 蹴り技 (Keriwaza). To be specific, the leg techniques specially extracted from the five 平安型 (Heian Kata).


These include 横蹴り蹴上げ (yoko-geri keage);  前蹴り蹴上げ (mae-geri keage); 踏み込み (fumikomi); 膝槌 (hiza-tsuchi); and 三日月蹴り (mikazuki-geri).

Special attention was given to each 体の武器 (karada no buki). The relationship between each of the foot formations and the natural ‘Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei style’ 腿の新種 (TAI NO SHINSHUKU) was a high priority. Furthermore, taking into account former trainings with Tanaka Masahiko Sensei: 足の柔軟性 (ashi no junansei) was also addressed.

組手 (KUMITE): The utilization of 後の先 (GO NO SEN). This is one of my personal specialties in 自由組手 (Jiyu Kumite). Often this is mistaken as being merely a strategy of 反撃 (Hangeki) or counterattacking. On the contrary, it pressures the opponent’s actions, or inaction, to deliver one’s own attack. It is therefore better understood as ‘taking the initiative later’, which is significantly different from just ‘countering’. Accordingly, when used optimally, Go no sen is actually a very aggressive strategy, in which the ‘Ipponwaza’ is calculated in a manner which mitigates the opponent's ability to defend against it; moreover, if control is not consciously applied, the opponent will be injured.


型 (KATA): The kata I worked on today was 抜塞小 (Bassai Shō). To conclude, and very appropriately, the following images are from the kata portion of my training today!

OSU! - AB

©️ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Renshusei from Paris, France: Fabio Alexia Iannuzzella

Fabio Iannuzzella Sensei and Alexia Iannuzzella Sensei returned for Renshusei training, but this time with their young and very cute daughter.

So much was covered while they were here in Oita City, so I will not detail it all. Rather, I'd just like to say how much they have improved in their Karate-Do; moreover, they will be bringing a lot of new knowledge directly back from Japan to Paris.

To conclude, I want to congratulate both Fabio and Alexia on their fruitful efforts. In addition to the Karate Training, it was also wonderful to catch up again. Until next time, OSU!

Junro Nidan: Hidri ashi mae nekoashi-dachi, Hidari gedan-barai.

Junro Sandan: Hidari uraken jodan sokumen yokomawashi uchi.

Tekki Sandan: Hidari haiwan jodan uchinagashi-uke.

The 'sports' mawashi-geri with Haisoku, which is not practiced in the Kihon of the IKS.

The traditional Shotokan mawashi-geri with koshi (josokutei).

©️ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Fascia 'pulling your head forward' when kicking

 I was recently consulted for advice, by an elite Japanese karate competitor, about “…the breaking of ‘head/neck posture’ when kicking”: especially when moving with maximum speed/intensity. This article fundamentally addresses this issue. Needless to say, depending on the type of kick, launching position, and so forth, there are differing precise formulas to overcome this issue. 

Today, I will provide a generic answer. 

押忍!  — AB

When your head involuntarily pulls forward when making 蹴り技 (keriwaza) it usually indicates that you are experiencing a ‘fascial compensation pattern’ that is primarily caused by the SBL (the ‘Superficial Back Line’) and/or the SFL (the ‘Superficial Front Line’).

This is because fascia connects the body from your toes to your forehead; therefore, tightness at one end of the fascia line will pull on the other end to find ‘extra slack’. Thereby, as you extend your leg the head can potentially be brought forward.

Why the Fascia Pulls Your Head Forward?

① Tight Hamstrings on the SBL

The Superficial Back Line is a continuous sheet of tissue that runs from the bottom of your feet, up the calves and hamstrings, along the spine, and over the skull to your brow.

• When a kick is thrown your kicking leg puts a massive, rapid stretch on the hamstrings.

• If your hamstrings or lower back fascia lack elasticity, the line runs out of slack.

• To compensate for this stretching action, the body steals length from the top of the chain; thus, pulling your head/neck forward. 

② Guarding Response of the SFL

The Superficial Front Line runs from the top of your toes, up the quadriceps, through the abdominals, and attaches to the base of your skull (the mastoid process).

• If you hunch or tense your chest to brace for impact, thefront fascia shortens.

• This tightening pulls the base of your skull downward and forward, causing a jutting chin. 

How to Fix It?

Release the Anchors (Roll the Feet)

You can directly increase your head and neck mobility by releasing the bottom of your chain. 

• Use a lacrosse ball or tennis ball to roll out the plantar fascia on the bottom of both feet for two minutes before training. 

• Because it relaxes the start of the SBL, this instantly creates slack all the way up to your neck and allows for freer head movement.

Intentionally Tuck the Chin

Consciously combat the pull by keeping your neck structurally stacked. 

• Do not look up at the ceiling or overextend your throat when kicking.

• Keep your chin slightly tucked and your eyes fixed forward on your target. This places the upper cervical fascia under tension, preventing it from yielding to the pull of the legs.

Dynamic Chain Stretching

Instead of just holding passive hamstring stretches, train your fascia dynamically.

• Perform slow, controlled standing leg swings to load the tissue at both ends.
• Focus on keeping your upper body perfectly vertical and your spine neutral while the leg moves.

To conclude: This issue is natural when kicking and impacts all karateka from time to time. The main point—if and when this happens—is to recognize it and utilize corrective methods. As a professional karate instructor, it is imperative for me to optimize my own technique in my daily self-training; furthermore, ensure that all karateka—whom I coach as Renshusei and in Seminars —maximize their skill. While this article has been highly generic it elucidates the point of ‘professional practice and development’.

©️ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).