Ron Tisdale

There are two different ways to enter...we call them kamaemi and hitoimi...with hips facing square to the front and with hips "flat". If you enter with your hips facing front, you still have to turn your body to "fit" with uke. If you enter hitoimi, or with your hips already flat, they are already facing uke, and you;ve basically taken out a movement in your waza.

Also, your instructor is correct, you do want to enter deeply. Some people like to enter and be really tight, others like to enter and maintain some distance. I find that it depends on who I'm working with and what I want to achieve at that particular point in time. I'm sure there's a one size fits all solution...just haven;t found it yet.

Best,
Ron