Technique of the Week (Aug 21st 2011)

Sensei Sensei Larry Link
Ueshiro Midtown (Hombu) Dojo, NYC
--------------------------------------------------------------

Don't just shoot the ball, HIT THE BASKET

When we practice Karate, we must practice with intention. We must think, act, push forward and perfect our bodies and our art – the art of Karate-do. We can only do this when we strive to get BETTER rather than simply going through the motions. When we practice kata, this means that the feet must be PERFECTLY placed, the wrist must be PERFECTLY straight, the fist must be PERFECTLY tight, and the hit must be PERFECTLY hard. Do not settle for mediocrity. Push yourself to achieve perfection.

Hanshi leads us by example (he shows us what to do) and by metaphor (he paints an image in our minds of what to do). Here are several metaphors (including some that I heard first from Hanshi) that you can use to visualize how to perfect your technique:

Don’t just shoot the ball, HIT THE BASKET
Don’t just shoot the rifle in the air, AIM FOR THE TARGET
Don’t just throw the dart, HIT THE BULLSEYE
Don’t just swing the bat, HIT A HOMERUN
Don’t just push the punching bag, HIT IT AS HARD AS YOU CAN
Don’t just putt, PUT THE BALL IN CUP
Don’t just roll the ball, AIM FOR A STRIKE
Don’t just swing the racket, PUT THE BALL ON THE LINE
Don’t just peddle the bike, GO FASTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE
Don’t just move the pieces, GO FOR CHECKMATE

Practice with intention. Create excellence. Start today.

“We are what we repeatedly do. EXCELLENCE, therefore, is not an ACT but a HABIT” Aristotle

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Hanshi!

Sensei Larry Link