Sensei Matt Kaplan, Shihan
Ueshiro Okinawan Karate Family Club
State College, PA

-------------------------------------------------------------- 

Staying on Track

In doing basic techniques, we try to routinize the delivery of each technique. A concept that helps us stay on track is the literal idea of moving the body along imaginary, precise "tracks." In punching, for example, both elbows -- the one going out and the one returning to the pocket -- stay close to the body, and this helps to frame the end-of-technique twisting motion of the fists. When such a track is firmly in place, we can worry less about bouncing, slipping and waivering, and better tune into the challenge of increasing speed and power.

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu,
Sensei Matt Kaplan, Shihan
Ueshiro Okinawan Karate Family Club
State College, PA