Honte Uchi - Uchi Komi
Begin by moving the front foot sideways and off the center line. This will ensure that the hips are facing forward.
As you move the front foot you must ensure to keep your front hand on the center line.
You should start raising the Jo with the back hand, as the front foot starts to move sideways. The hand should remain relaxed and slide down the Jo as it goes up.
The Jo gets forced forward by the rear hand sliding down the Jo. The focus should be as if you are throwing a ball towards Uchi Dachi’s face.
You must keep the front hand in position on the center line and it is the Jo moving forward that moves the thumb of the front hand out of the way.
The rear foot should only move once the Jo comes into contact with Uchi Dachi’s Ken.
The rear foot coming forward at the correct time is crucial to achieve the correct timing for Kiri Otoshi. See Concept Notes for explanation of Kiri Otoshi.
As you move forward, you should feel as if you are walking into your front arm. You must ensure that your armpit remains closed throughout the movement.
It is the body movement that gives the power to this technique and not just the arm movement.
As you strike the Ken down, you should have a feeling of a springboard going down and coming back up afterwards. See Concept Notes for explanation of Kiri Te.
The Uchi Komi notes above are always relevant and the thing that is crucial to remember when Honte Uchi is used in kata, is that the Jo must go forward and be in position before the back foot moves.
Remember, “Jo First”.
Gyakute Uchi
The notes in Honte Uchi also apply to Gyakute Uchi.
The main difference with Gyakute Uchi compared to Honte Uchi, is that focus is on the front hand to start the movement.
You raise the Jo by closing the armpit of the front arm and turning the front hand up. This has the effect of the hand being in front of Sui Getsu with the hand quite flat and the back of the hand facing forward.
The back hand rises at the same time, but this is only to support the movement of the front hand.
Next, as Tenouchi is applied by the front hand, the back hand guides the Jo directly towards Uchi Dachi's face. See Concept Notes for explanation of Tenouchi.
It is the movement of the body that ensures that the angle is correct during the strike.
The feeling during the strike should one of smashing down on top of the Ken.
Hiki Otoshi Uchi
The focus is similar to Honte Uchi, with the front foot starting the movement.
Hiki Otoshi has similarities with Gyakute and Honte Uchi. Gyakute, because the focus should be on the front hand raising the Jo and Honte because once the Jo is raised the strike is technically the same.
As you raise the Jo up, ensure that the front hand is on the center line and in front of Sui Getsu.
The power in the technique comes from a combination of the front hand cutting down whilst the rear hand slides down the Jo and the rear foot moving forward at the correct time.
This technique is similar to Honte Uchi in that the feeling during the strike is one of a springboard bouncing back. See Concept Notes for explanation of Kiri Te.
Kaesha Tsuki
Begin the technique by thrusting the back or lower hand forward as if trying to Tsuki towards Uchi Dachi's Sui Getsu. The front hand goes up and back at the same time as you thrust forward with the back hand.
The movement of the arms causes the hips to twist sideways. Bring the outer edges of the feet together as the hips move sideways.
The final position should have the hips facing sideways and your body should be balanced on the outer edges of your feet.
This movement should be done very quickly to ensure that you are ready to Tsuki before Uchi Dachi can begin his cut.
The Tsuki begins with the back hand thrusting the Jo forward closely followed by the rear foot coming forward. The feeling should be flowing with the movement of the Jo finishing as the rear foot comes to a stop.
It is important to respect the Ma-Ai and remember to keep your arms the correct distance from the body. See Concept Notes for explanation of Ma-Ai. This will ensure that Uchi Dachi cannot cut you.
Gyakute Tsuki
The beginning of Gyakute Tsuki is similar to Kaesha Tsuki with the back or lower hand starting the movement but this time the front hand goes back and up.
The timing is the same as Kaesha Tsuki with the rear hand starting the movement. At the end of the Tsuki, the feet should be parallel with the left foot slightly in front of the right. The hips should be square and the rear hand should be in front and above of your head.
Next, you should draw the Jo back and perform Honte Uchi to Uchi Dachi's head without any hesitation or delay.
Maki Otoshi
Kuri Tsuke
You should begin Kuri Tsuke as if you’ve struck Uchi Dachi with Gyakute Uchi before entering.
Once you have entered, the next movement starts with the back hand moving down and forward by closing the armpit and then move the front hand away from your head.
You should leave the front hand on the head until the last possible moment. This is generally the moment when the grip of the front hand changes from Honte to Gyakute.
The back hand should be a circular movement and the front hand should be more direct. The feeling here is very similar to Ikkyo from Aikido. (Big circle, little circle)
The final part of the movement should be very direct and bring the Jo back towards you. This final movement should leave Uchi Dachi with a feeling of being forced inwards, pinning him.
Kuri Hanashi
The beginning of Kuri Hanashi is identical to Kuri Tsuke.
The initial movement begins by closing the armpit of the back arm but this time the arm is going out to the side at approximately 45 degrees from the center line.
The timing is similar to Kuri Tsuke but this time the front hand goes up and across again at approximately 45 degrees from the center line.
This movement should force Jo Saki to scribe a little arc roughly over Uchi Dachi’s head.
The feeling here is very similar to a Kokyu throw from Aikido. (Big circle, little circle)
Remember not to let the front hand drop below the shoulder. This will ensure that Uchi Dachi's stays off balance.
Tai Atari
The beginning of Tai Atari is identical to Kuri Tsuke.
The initial movement begins by closing the armpit of the back arm but this time the hand drives forward towards Uchi Dachi’s Sui Getsui.
The initial movement of the armpit closing should raise Uchi Dachi’s Tsuka.
The focus should be on Jo Saki going up. This will force Uchi Dachi on to his back foot.
Tsuki Hazushi Uchi
Do Barai Uchi
Tai Hazushi Uchi