Training Diary (5 Apr 06)

I've decided to try and maintain a training diary here, so that I can scribble down what goes on at the dojo. Hopefully it'll help me remember.

Tonight: Just me and Darcy. We worked on my kata for my ikkyu grading, whenever that's going to be. My kata felt very good tonight; everything fell into place, more or less.

Points to remember:

• On kata-guruma, the throw (ie, the drop) is to the side front corner, not straight to the side; the feet remain planted and both hands control the arm
• Uki-goshi is a full pivot — 180° (? clarify)
• On sasae-tsurikomi-ashi, after the block, bring the foot around to maintain balance
• Tsurikomi-goshi: take the collar grip at the initiation of hostilities, not on the second step
• Also on tsurikomi-goshi: there are five steps; three in the pivot just before kake
• Harai-goshi: on the third step, pivot with the leading foot (almost 180°), then bring the trailing foot in, pulse, then reap

We also went down the list for the throws, and I'm feeling fairly confident that I can do them, with varying degrees of expertise.

It was a small class — just me and Darcy — but it was a good class, too.