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Since testing is all done, Sensei Cieplik shared some new Karate “stuff” with us.

Basic thinking movements…

We started with reverse punch, front leg front snap kick and then jab.  From a stationary front stance we did a reverse punch, from there we did a front leg front snap kick and as we set out foot down after the kick, we threw a jab.

Next, we did front snap kick to the front and side thrust kick to the front but Sensei had us move in such a way to create a block with our kicking leg between the front snap kick and side thrust kick.   This keeps me from dropping my knee between the kicks.

Next came shift jab, shift  jab, shift angle to the side with reverse punch, then shift forward with a backfist.  This a more of a kumite drill than a self defense drill in my opinion but effective none the less.  The key is to prepare for the backfist right after the reverse punch.  Instead of pulling my draw hand to me side during the reverse punch, I kept it in front of my stomach as a blocking move.  From that point, that hand could just fly into the backfist as I shifted forward.

Next came stationary jab, then reverse punch followed with a rear leg  front snap kick.

Get a partner and a pad…

Sensei had us get a partner and a pad for some hitting.  We started with a simple drill where we jabbed to pad to stop out partner as soon as they moved in to attack.  This was a timing drill to help us learn when our partner was going to move before they moved.

Next came elbow strikes to the pad.  Sensei told me to hit the pad on a downward angle with my elbow to “dig in” so to speak.  This feels like a really strong movement.

Kata is always fun to me….

We finished up class doing kata from Heian Shodan all the way to Kanku Dai.

Testing has come to and end and I am satisfied with the results.

My wife was the first to test and she did an excellent job.  She cleared her keri and is now a full 1st kyu.  My son also did an awesome job by getting four stripes and is now a 1st kyu also.  I am also happy with my own results, I am now a 1st kyu keri.

I went into the this test with a different attitude then ever before.  I was visiting Doc Pusateri a couple days before my test and he told me to “just go there and instead of trying to impress the examiners, just show them what your Sensei’s have shared with you.”  That is exactly what I did and even though I had a lot of injuries and mental baggage going into this test, I was able to come out ahead.  For the first time, I had the attitude that I am here to take my rank not ask for it and my family and friends who saw me at the test said that I did just that.

I am satisfied and hopefully over the next six to 12 months my wife, son and I will be ready to wear black belts around our waists.

Even after five years, I am still unsure about the criteria used for rank examinations.  I am finding that ability to perform the techniques precisely seems to be more important than effort or knowledge of the techniques and Karate in general.  Either way, I am glad it is over and am already working on many of the technique issues that I need to improve on over the next six months.

Sensei Noia had us hitting stuff and it was good.

Simple moves but strong….

We had out partner hold a foam pad and we went to work.  We did front punch, reverse punch, back fist, hammer fist, knife hand and elbow strikes between 10 and 20 times with each side.

Not too much to talk about here but I feel that this class was really effective.  I feel that we do not hit things enough and when we, we often get hurt.  For example, when I do not punch the makiwara or the heavy bag for a while, I end up bending my wrist when I punch really hard.  Punching the air is great for muscle memory but I feel that hitting things is required in case it is ever needed in real life situations.

This was my day back with Sensei Brien and it was good to be back.

Back to sparring basics…

Sensei had us start with some shifting and distance drills.  We got a partner and shifted back and forth across the dojo while keeping the proper distance apart from each other.  Every now and then, we could break the shifting rhythm and shift in on them while they shifted in.

Next, we continued to work on shifting but the idea was to draw our partner and then attack.  For example, I would shift backward and my partner would shift forward but every once in a while, I would shift back and shift in as my partner was shifting in toward me.  We followed that up with letting our partner block and counter if possible.

The next drill was really basic but something that I feel I need more of.  We stand in place, in a fighting stance, move the front foot only and do a jab and draw back then do a reverse punch.  This is such a simple drill but so fundamental.

We then worked on partner target drills.  Our partner puts a hand up and we have to jab or reverse punch depending which hand they raise.  The left hand would get a jab and the right hand would get a reverse punch.

Lots of good advice from Sensei Cieplik today!

Don’t drop the knee…

We started with the normal warmup doing our kicks and as I was doing the front snap kick, side thrust kick, back kick and roundhouse kick Sensei noticed that my knee was dropping  between the kicks and most noticeably between the back kick and roundhosue kick.

Punch and punch some more…

We started with combinations moving forward and backward with downward, rising, inward and outward blocks with reverse punch.  After that, moving forward and back with front punch followed with sanbon zuki.  Next came front kick with front punch forward and backward.

Project yourself forward…

This was a really interesting drill.  Sensei had us get into a short front stance and squeeze the floor to create a lot of tension in our legs.  From this point, we did a really fast front snap kick with the rear leg and then stepped down into a tall front stance, shifted slightly forward and then project our intention forward.  By intention, I mean project your mental extension or energy forward against your target.  The idea was to build up all that tension by squeezing the floor, let the kick fly and then step forward, chest out and looking forward.  I had a hard time getting letting the kick fly fast enough but I feel that I understood the concept of projecting my intention.

Time for some kicks….

Next, we did horse stance moving sideways with side thrust kick.  Then side snap and then the combination move with side snap kick and side thrust kick.  We then did moving sideways with side front kick.

We then did back stance, front snap kick with nukite.  Sensei told me to let the front leg fly instead of pulling my foot back first.  Let the kick go right from the floor.

Extra kata….

We started with all of the Heian katas and Tekki Shodan.  Sensei told me, when doing Tekki shodan, GET LOWER.

Next we worked on Jion, Sensei said that I need to be lower in my horse stances and push from my legs and not my shoulders!

Next came Bassai Dai.  Sensei spent a lot of time helping my work on a problem area in my kata.  From the second back stance with knife hand block after the kiai, Sensei wants me to pull back, STAY LOW, and have my hands and feet finish at the same time for double upward block.  After that, I need to bend my front knee, into a front stance and double strike from the hips, NOT THE SHOULDERS.  Next, the back leg up a little and push forward and punch.  Also, to keep me from punching with my shoulders, Sensei told me to punch chudan instead of jodan.

Sensei gave me a lot of great advice and I am sure it will help me with my upcoming exam.