Chicago Shotokan

Sandan Jeff Salkas leads a practice focused on break falls and ashibarai (foot sweeps), including how to setup the foot sweep, how to execute it, and how to deal with different distances, and different reactions from your opponent.

On Sunday, our growing group gathered to practice gyaku-zuki (reverse punch), age-uke (rising block) and tetsui-uke (hammer fist block). We then paired up to practice these techniques on each other during ippon kumite (one attack sparring).

Don DePree once said, “Feeling hinders form and thinking about form hinders feeling. Work both until best form and best feeling come together.” For the 1st practice of 2019, we tried to do just that with a Bassai practice that stressed a strong feeling without neglecting form.

On Sunday we had a strong practice focusing on the Tekki kata, Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan, and Tekki Sandan.

We had a great practice on Sunday. Andrew warmed us up and stretched us out, and then we proceeded to work on kata in groups, kicks, and kumite (one attack and three attack). Great to see everybody working hard to improve their attacks and defense.

Last Sunday we had a great kihon (fundamentals) practice, focusing on zenkutsu-dachi (front stance), oi-zuki (lunge punch), and tetsui-uke (hammer fist block). After getting some reps in with the techniques, we finished up with ippon kumite (one time sparring) using the techniques we practiced.

A core component of our practice is catching the moment an opponent decides to attack, and using that moment to launch your own “counter” attack. An opponent’s eyes, feeling, body language, and movements can all tip off when they’ve made the decision to attack, but picking up on these cues and acting on them takes […]

Steve (right) catching the moment and moving in with a jab, just as Khanda (left) begins to move in for an attack.

We had another great practice today working on combinations basics and sparring with partners. Great spirit all around!