FEBRUARY 8, 1998

COVER RIGHT AWAY

One of the more prevalent technique mistakes that I saw from all of us deshi during today's New York City belt promotion was the lack of covering right away during blocking techniques.

Some actually opened their arms WIDER before beginning to cover, while others "stalled" their arms in an open position prior to covering. (Their feet were moving while their arms were not.)

There are a number of obvious drawbacks to this habit. One is
that we are vulnerable to our opponent's attack while we are open.  (Better to get struck on the arms than on the target we are trying to protect.)

Another negative result is that it slows our entire movement. In other words, if we cover right away as we should, and then keep the arm moving throughout the technique without letting it  "stall" until the final kimai, the feet will be forced to move more quickly, and closer to the deck, to keep pace with our quickened arms. After all, the foot must land before the arm executes its technique.

Therefore, cover right away.

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu,
David Baker,
Denshi/Shihan
Midtown Karate Dojo