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Kihon Tips: Honte-Uchi

Started by Kyle Sloan · Oct 28, 2008 · 1 post

Kyle Sloan (1808 posts)
Oct 28, 2008 10:46 pm
Kihon Tips: Honte-Uchi
Over the next several months, I'm going to share some of the little "gotcha's" that often sneak into our training. This is sort of a highlights list, and is by no means comprehensive. Please feel free to add additional tips so we can all get better.

Honte-Uchi:

  • The jo should rotate in a plane vertically. This means you will have to shift your hips slightly as you draw.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • The drawing action comes naturally from your shoulder. From the honte-no-kamae posture, allowing your shoulder to relax will draw the jo smoothly.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • As you draw, your hand should rotate from its beginning position to a palmed position. In the beginning we teach the rear hand cups, then draws. As you advance in skill, work toward starting in normal grip, and the rear hand moving to a cupped or palmed position at the end.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • The drawing action should be reversible. You should be able to thrust the stick at uke with natural motion. If the first three elements are not present, you will find it difficult to thrust.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • As you draw, allow your weight to sink down. There's a tendency to allow our weight to shift into the heel as we draw.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • As you draw, think about pushing the front hand forward. This helps with not rocking your weight back, and also helps keep the hand extended so the advanced arm doesn't collapse at the elbow.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • The front hand does not move. It's like shooting pool. The front hand is the targeting mechanism, the back hand simply pushes the stick directly forward.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • Lift the jo, and your center at the same time.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • Lift your rear hand fully upward. There's a temptation to move the jo forward early. Always try to use full range of motion.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • As the strike progresses, the jo moves forward.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • At the end, the hands should "wring" the jo as if it were a wet towel or mop. I find the "V" created by my thumb & index finger on both hands line up on top of the jo.[/*:m:3smfrrx3]
  • The bottom hand should be about two fists width from your center.
    [/*:m:3smfrrx3]