Technique of the Week (September 14th, 2009)

From Sensei Matt Kaplan, Shihan

Ueshiro Okinawan Karate Family Club State College, PA

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It’s Not a Sweep

A point of clarity: When we do Naihanchi kata, the foot stomps while in stationary position involve a sweep of the foot toward and above the other knee. This move protects one from a knee strike. However, when stomping after a step across (in moving sideways), there is no such sweeping motion, not even a tiny one. The foot does not cross the meridian (center) of the body. In this technique, the foot in motion (with knee coming high up toward the shoulder) serves to protect the groin and stomach areas rather than the other knee. This lifting high of the knee also serves to create a powerful foot stomp/slam.

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu,

Sensei Matt Kaplan, Shihan

Ueshiro Okinawan Karate Family Club

State College, PA