How do you train fundamentals?

So there it is, call it kihon, basics, whatever...how do you train things like chudan-uke (middle block), chudan-tsuki (middle level punch), mae geri (front kick) etc...

Do you vary your methods based on the person or do you have a set way of teaching them? Do you start people with solo practice only or do you integrate partner work right away?

I'm not really asking about what mechanics you think are correct or anything, that could be for another thread, but rather what you general method is in teaching these things to newer students.

I'll go first, the first thing I usually do is sanchin walking, first the basic form, then with some pressure applied to make sure they understand what it feels like to move from the tanden and not just trying to step like they do normally, only in Sanchin stance, which seems to be what most folks do at first.

I usually move pretty quickly into partner work with most folks, depending on the people you can start with one doing moving chudan-tsuki, the other doing chudan-uke moving back and forth with varying speed, intensity, rythm etc.

My own experience has been that someone's understanding of these fundamental techniques is going to determine how they deal with training applications, any kind of sparring done etc.

In the time i've been teaching I worry sometimes that maybe I haven't spent enough time on these skills with some students, as I tend to move pretty quickly to application and such.

I personally don't like the whole "stand in a line and do this" method of training this stuff, so I am always looking for new ways to show it's relevancy without boring anyone to death.


P.S. I hope my translations were ok, wasn't trying to be obnoxious, but I know some people don't use Japanese terms.

pretty much all our Kihon is done in the form of kata, I do break it down into singles and combis according to the students need for rep's.

Bunkai is learned from day one so application in 2 man sets is worked straight away with the kata, this always allows for variations and ideas to happen as we work the kata technique as well.

im not a great technican, prefering to focus on application as needed and long term skill building.

also the physical conditioning of each tool is important in the early years so we have many excersises and drills for this to support the kihon.

Heck - I go back to the line stuff from time to time and realise how necessary it is. But after almost 30 years I'm bored stiff with it, so I tend to avoid such practise even though I shouldn't.

Yes, I'm always trying to come up with different ways of practising basics. A type of drill I thought of a while back is the "happo" where you practise the same kihon application with a total of 8 turns. You can take portions or adaptations of kata and work them into endless combinations. It's fun to get them flowing fast.

Here are a few that might give you some inspiration for your own ideas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY8E1XwWFrI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q867I6j4tA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn21Mi1dM1o

Also I like to vary my blocking practise in simple 2 person sets which double as ude tanren. Take a look at my article below which has some videos embedded in it:

http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2008/08/variations-in-ude-tanren-forearm.html

hi Dan,

thanks or the links I liked some of the 2 man stuff, appriciate that.

re solo work I think the kata is enough for us, the rest should be working with partners through fixed, semi fixed and free drills and then into spontaneous attacks etc etc, just our emphasis of course.

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re solo work I think the kata is enough for us

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I can't argue with that!