October 2nd, 2017

This weeks technique is submitted by Sensei Kevin Reymond, Hachi-dan
Denshi - Shihan
Ueshiro Downtown Shorin Ryu Karate Dojo

"Go To" Technique

Onegai-shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, and fellow Deshi,

Each of our kata contain many techniques. As we advance, we learn more
kata and the number of techniques increases significantly. In striving to
perfect each kata and the repertoire of techniques, our strengths should
be capitalized upon and our weaker techniques should be improved through
constant training. Along the way we should adopt one or two techniques
that are our "go to" techniques.

Hanshi indicates on pages 108 and 109 of his book, Building Warrior Spirit
with Gan, Soku, Tanden, Riki, "One move, one killing blow wins by the
quick focus of refined power applied to one's adversary.... Ideally our
strongest technique is used in a life or death situation for survival.
Repetition of this favorite technique should be paramount and given
priority during training, much like a pitcher constantly pitching
baseballs in training. In a confrontation where one's life depends upon
the outcome we must employ, without a fraction of a second's hesitation,
our most powerful technique with full commitment. If it fails we must
strike again and again, sticking to our opponent, moving forward."

If you have a "go to" technique consider increasing the repetitions of
your practice. If a deshi does not have a favorite technique, I would
suggest perhaps exploring Master Ueshiro's kata fukyugata san where
reverse punches from zenkutsu dachi are emphasized as you relentlessly
move forward.

Domo arigato gozaimasu

Sensei Kevin Reymond, Hachi-dan
Denshi - Shihan
Ueshiro Downtown Shorin Ryu Karate Dojo
Under the direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione