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I still have a long way to go, but last nights class was really good. We've been studying Kato Shihan's style and trying to get down the footwork, etc. for a while. For some reason, it was difficult to do before, but last night, it started coming easier to me.
Katatedori Ikkyo - Omote
On this one, we turn about 90 degrees and take a small step back with the outside foot. This whole time, Nage needs to keep good kokyu ho and bring the hands up, keeping them in front of their center the whole time.
Once Nage has their hands nearing chest level, deep step back with the inside leg and turn the hips to load it. Keep your knees bent and be ready to move! The hands... while maintaining kokyu ho, turn while staying in front of your center. As the hips turn, the arms will meet up with the arm of the uke. Nage does NOT reach over to capture the hand; instead, you just keep the kokyu ho hand position and catch the hand/wrist with that. Slide the inside hand up toward the elbow and REALLY EXTEND HERE!!! Extension is key here, because now...
Remember the loaded up leg? Got the hip turned over so that the leg is becoming a spring, arm is captured... now you pop! Launch! Turn the hips back into the uke, lifting at the elbow and cutting down and across with the captured wrist. Follow by stepping through with that loaded leg and cut the uke down to the ground here. Then do the pin.
On the Ura, similar set-up. The difference is that instead of stepping forward on the step through, the leg that comes across loading the back leg??? that swing leg stops and plants just behind the uke. That becomes the pivot point as your arms raise up and then cut the uke down and around.
This may be old news to some people, but there are subtle things I'm still trying to figure out. Perhaps talking about them here will me figure them out and nail 'em down.
It's good to sit here and type out and think about the technique. I should do this with the other techniques so I can focus on the details a little more in my mind.
Anyhow, about 7 students on the mat with 2 observers coming around. It was a good class! I'm looking forward to the new mat, though. The dojo is going to be so much nicer once it is completed.