Directions

 

1.        Muso-gamae - Stand in a natural position with the hands in loose fists at the sides. Begin stepping with the right leg forward and raise the right arm quickly. The left arm should move away from the body a little. Step forward and lower the torso into a deep fudo-dachi as you down block with the right arm and upper block with the left.

The left elbow should point behind you. The left forearm should be parallel to the floor when finished. The left upper arm should be at a 45 degree angle to the shoulders. The right arm should finish at a 45 degree angle to the left forearm and the floor. The right elbow should be bent a little more than in a usual downward block, but not overdone.

The entire motion begins at 60% speed, increases as the right arm begins to drop to 80%, and then slows gradually. As you begin the step you should bend both knees in place before stepping forward. Move the body down then the right foot forward. Gradually bring the weight to the front leg as your right foot is planted.

The entire stance should be about 1 foot wide. The front foot should point forward the rear foot should point 45 degrees out to the left. The hips should be strong pressed between the knees pushing them further apart by bringing the buttocks between the heels rather than behind them. The front shin should be straight up and down, not angled inward. The first step is a crescent shaped motion and should be quite shallow and subtle. It should require 5 seconds to complete.

2.        Reverse vertical knife hand block - Reach back toward the armpit with the right hand and forward with the left. The right hand opens immediately upon being withdrawn. The left hand remains in a fist. Move slower and slower as you reach the final position, as if you will never reach it. The first half of this motion is performed quickly. The second half should be performed with increasing tension and slowness. 

The torso must turn at the waist. It is important that the rear knee does not collapse inward as you perform this technique. In a strong fudo-dachi you cannot turn the hips forward without moving the rear knee. Don't move it. Turn the waist instead and bring the shoulders forward.

3.        Two Punches middle level - Perform two punches as one technique. The first punch is fast snapping, the second is strong and thrusting.

4.        Double level block - Look to the left and immediately following the punches perform this technique in back stance so that the three techniques together are 1-2-3. This technique should be fast. The fold for this technique is performed with two open hands reaching across the body so that the elbows touch. Now perform the block. The left hand goes down shoulder then elbow with a sharp focus at the end. The right arm comes back in a horizontally arcing inside block. Pause for a brief moment before the next technique.

5.        Muso-Gamae - step forward with the right foot into Sochin dachi stance quickly and strongly. The hands move strongly into position, right hand in down block position and left forearm blocking at head height.

6.        Vertical Knife hand block and two punches - perform exactly as in the first set.

7.        Double level block - Turn 180 degree to your left after the two punches and perform the double level block. Perform the same Muso-gamae as previous. Perform the vertical knife hand block and two punches again as well. Everything in this set of four techniques is exactly as performed in the previous four but traveling back to the starting point.

8.        180 Degree Side Snap Kick - Pick up the left foot directly to the knee and as you do, spin to your left and perform a side snap kick simultaneously with a back fist. Do not bend forward at the waist. If viewed from the target, your knee, buttocks, and left shoulder should be in a straight line on impact. Snap the kick back from the impact point sharply.

9.        Elbow Strike - Step down into a fudo-dachi turning at the waist to bring the shoulders front facing. Keep the rear knee pushed out. The very end of the elbow should touch the end of the palm toward the fingers on impact. The target hand should be perfectly flat not wrapped around the elbow. Try to make the elbow strike line up with the shoulders or only slightly lower. Do not raise the shoulders to perform this technique.

10.     Right Side Snap Kick - Turn to your right and repeat the kick and elbow strike.

11.     Knife Hand blocks - Perform four knife hand blocks. As soon as the elbow of the left hand makes contact, turn to your right 180 degrees, and perform a knife hand block with the right hand. The blocks should have even timing as you perform them with the 2nd and 4th blocks point at 45 degree angles.

12.     Two more knife hand blocks - shift the right foot over about 2 feet opposite direction from your starting place. Fold and knife hand block on the same side again. Step forward and perform one more knife hand block.

13.     Underhanded spearing action - Pull the left hand down from the blocking position and turn the shoulders to front by pivoting the waist - not the hips. Stab with the right hand palm up, with the fingers perfectly flat. The forearm should be at 90 degrees to the upper arm. The spear hand should be parallel to the floor at a 45 degree angle to the forearm. As you perform this action shift forward 6 inches rapidly. Move the left foot and then the right foot to shift.

14.     Front leg front snap kick middle level - From your current back stance, execute a middle level left front snap kick.

15.     Stepping front kick and two backfist strikes - Step forward and perform the right front snap kick to the upper level. Step down into Sochin dachi and perform the two strikes. The right arm rises up and back beside the face in a covering action. As your leg approaches the floor strike with the right hand using your undercut or backfist and block / strike with the left. Kiai

16.     Crescent Moon Kick and Muso-gamae - Turn 180 degrees and stretch your left hand out. As you turn move your shoulder so that your hand remains in the same place relative to the room and not your body. Throw a crescent kick into your palm. Without pausing in one fluid action stomp down with the right foot. As the foot touches the floor you should assume Muso-gamae in time with the stomp. Hold this position for a brief pause.

17.     Inside Blocks and Punches - Step 45 degrees to your left and inside block in Sochin dachi stance. Step in the same direction and punch. Shift 90 degrees to your right, step forward and block then step forward and punch again.

18.     Inside blocks - Shift the left foot so that you face front. At the same time, perform a strong inside block. Immediately throw a reverse inside block.

19.     Kick and double punch - Throw a front snap kick in place. Slowly lower the leg while punching slowly with the left hand while pulling palm down with the right fist. The right fist should stop at the right nipple. Inhale deeply and punch twice. The first punch is fast and snapping, the second punch is strong and thrusting. Kiai. Pause for a moment and stand back up into the natural position by pulling your front foot back to you. Slowly release the tension of the 2nd punch as you stand and relax.



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