Technique of the Week (May 28th, 2007)

From Keith Eng San Dan
Wilton Connecticut Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate Club

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Hanshi, Kyoshi, Shihan, Sensei and Deshi, Onegai-shimasu!

I often find myself humbled by transition moves. Similar to previous TFTWs, I have to remind myself once we are in dachi (stance), that stance must be maintained until it is time for transition to the next dachi. It is this transition that is the focus of this weeks TFTW. When progressing from shizentai-dachi to zenkutsu-dachi the transition move is NOT a leaning fall into the lower stance. We should drop, get low and rooted, let our foot find the appropriate position as the weight shifts until we are have attained zenkutsu-dachi. Likewise, when transitioning from zenkutsu-dachi to shizentai-dachi we should NOT stand and step into the next stance. We should stay low and rooted, let our foot find the appropriate position on the deck as the weight shifts evenly to both feet and explode upward to shizentai-dachi. In both instances it is the weight shift/explosive rise, and hip that gives power to the hand technique being executed. Per previous emails, some of the common dachi mistakes are: to move once 'locked' into the stance usually rising due to fatigue (kiba-dachi; neko-ashi-dachi); and bobbing due to a change in hand or upper body positioning (kosa-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi). Another common mistake is for the rear heal to lift during a punch (zuki) in zenkutsu-dachi. Get rooted and stay rooted, unmoving, until it is time to transition to the next stance. The correct foot transition to the next dachi will determine the effectiveness of the hand technique.

Arigato,
Keith Eng
San Dan
Wilton Connecticut Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate Club