Keeping in the same line

Two weeks from now will be my brown belt exam, this opportunity did not come easily, it's been more than 15 months since my last blue belt exam. Both sensei have made very clear that this test is meant to hold higher standard than any of the previous tests, they will go over everything that we have learned so far. Most importantly we need to demonstrate the principle through techniques from tangible and intangible standpoint. The intangible part is what has been taking most of students so long time to be eligible for exams. Now that I am given the chance, I am excited that I can show what I got, at the same time, I also know that I am far from perfection, need continuously practice and learning.

Today is Saturday, we had four people showed up in the morning practice. It was a good practice, we covered quite a bit of material, one of the key things I learned today is keeping in the same line.

1. Tenkai kotegaeshi:  The typical thing I don't do well is when I finished rotate myself, usually find myself too far from uke, ending up chicken-wing the uke. Today Tim mentioned that if in initial kuzushi, I were to direct the uke towards the line straight in front of me, after I rotate, as long as I stay in the line, the uke will be at the same line. This makes a  lot of sense. Uke was kept to stick to one straight line, it enables me make the final throw much more accurate.

2. Ude-hineri: On the same train of thought, sensei has recently corrected us that it needs to happen on one straight line, we should not short-cut the technique by throwing uke on a angled line. Only with hip engaged turn, then the throw will be 180 degrees, and that is what they would like to see that we comprehend the technique both physically and mentally.

3. Hikiotoshi: This is another technique that requires staying on the same line. Engage the hip to connect is the key to success

This afternoon I went over my past two exam's video, found a lot of things that I have improved, I also found  that the speed and crispness in my previous two exams were very poor, there were many casual steps and little things that does not make me look good as a martial artist. I need to watch out for zanshin, maintain awareness, be crispy in between techniques.



Terminology:

Zanchin	State of awareness  残心
no	of  の 的
Tsukuri	Stucture, physique
Hiji	Elbow
Mochi	Must not
Hijimochi no Tsukuri	Elbow grabbing movements techniques