by Art Rabesa » Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:07 pm
How long can you wait before you begin your block in kata? I've picked up tons of material to post from watching students - including my own. Something that I see quite a lot is the block beginning too soon in kata. Since you can move your hands faster than your feet - you must hold that block until your step is very close to complete. This will FORCE you to make the block faster. Coordinate your block with your step to get this done. At the advanced level, you'll be sliding through the movements, coordinating the slide and block. Too many actually block nothing. Meaning, the block is not done at the exact moment of the attack. Granted, it is kata. However, it should take on the appearance of reality. I'm speaking of the "one piece" movement. Everything ends at the same time. That foot and blocking hand finish together. This makes that block very crisp and strong, because your entire body is involved in the block. I have drills for this one piece method. This will move you through the kata smoother and quicker. Quicker without actually moving faster. It simply has no wasted bodily movement. This carries over into the prearranged segments of the training as well. Also fighting. SO--- hold that block longer. It happens almost when the foot is settled before you pull the trigger on the block. Try this for a crisper, stronger approach to kata training. ----Happy Trails ----Art
Art Rabesa