Kihon Sono San

Yoi, come to ready, hands to cross in front of body, right hand inside, coming up as though to grab your ears. As your hands come down, make fists with pinky and thumb tight, knees slightly bent, lower your center of gravity in unison. You will come to heiko dachi (parallel stance), hands come down with strength to middle area of body. After attaining opening position take 80% off your dynamic tension, relax but do not relax. Now eyes look straight ahead, and gaze on one point in front of you. Listen for commands from your Sensei. Repeat after Sensei "Kihon Sono San" (so you understand which form you are asked to do). Sensei will say either "ippon count" (one move at a time) or "no count", make sure you understand with a loud Osu!

Ichi: Turn your head to the left and look first to where you're going (imagine opponent attacking you). Stay low and slide your left foot (okuriashi) out at a 45 degree angle to your left side, same as kata's 1 & 2. Jodan uke set-up; left forearm comes to middle area inside your right forearm (the forearms will form an X). Perform an upper block (jodan uke), raise left forearm to jodan level with left hand one fist away from forehead, elbow slightly below the level of the fist, at the same time pull right hand back to ready (hikite). Follow up with a powerful reverse punch (gyaku tsuki) to the middle area (connect, finish) with a powerful kia the left hand moves to ready (hikite). Your stance will be some what kiba while performing upper block, not specifically but while in transition. With power saved on right side, you execute your reverse punch push left knee deep into impact slightly forward while in Zen stance, turning the hips fully with power. Be sure to pull right hand back to hikite (ready) after performing upper block.

Note: Your first move should be impeccable, flawless, smooth, powerfully performed, one millisecond after foot slides into position execution of first move should be explosive, instantaneous. This will set the tone of intensity, and the passion is up to you. Hold position if this is a ippon count. Make sure stance is wide and not narrow.

Ni: Now while holding position, look over right shoulder, (imagine attacker coming from behind) slide right foot pass left foot as thought you were turning into a mawate, preparing to block attacker with upper block, once again stay low in stance do not pop up, body will assume a half 45 angle (kiba) with left forearm hand inside right forearm (middle area) setting up for a right upper block, then executing a reverse punch with speed. While turning your hips sharply, kia strong. You are doing the same move as above except to the right side. The reverse punch (as with all punches seiken) focused, rotate, fist tight, wrist straight, hitting with the two knuckles. Aim middle area solar plexus high.

San: Now after executing upper block (Jodan Uke) and reverse punch (Gyaku Tsuki) on both sides prepare to go down the eye or H-pattern/I-pattern. Slide left, (Okuriashi) execute a down block in Zen stance, (pushing front knee forward on impact), this is a pure basic stance make sure your posture shows it. Front knee bent, down block (gedan barai) one fist above knee, back leg straight, body turned forty-five degrees (Hanmi), eyes straight ahead. The next three counts are all the same, you will be moving in a straight line.

Shi: Slide right foot forward into Zen executing gedan barai (down block).

Go: Slide left foot forward into Zen executing another gedan barai (down block).

Roku: Now, slide right foot forward into Zen executing yet another gedan barai (down block), immediately followed by a  reverse punch (gyaku tsuki) with a powerful kia.

Shichi: Now you slide back down from where you started but going backwards in defense posture. Now slide right foot back in Zen executing left outside to inside block (soto uke), touch the back of your head and do a big motion, covering centerline and middle area.

Hachi: Slide left foot back into Zen executing right Chudan Soto Uke.

Ku: Slide right foot back in Zen executing left Chudan Soto Uke, ending with a combination of a powerful reverse punch. Kia powerfully.

Ju: Slide right foot forward into formal fighting stance (morote no kamae), and really slide into it, with a spirit kia (IISHA!)

Yamae: Sensei says come back to ready. Do we relax? No! You move your front foot (hidari ashi mae) back to parallel stance to the yoi dachi as explained in the above "Yoi" ready movement , nothing changes, smooth, controlled, and maintain "Zanshin". You say "What is Zanshin?" When you come back to ready, in plain English, keep the motor running, knees bent, 50/50 weight distribution, gaze set, and maintaining Zanshin.

Example: Kyudo (archery) the final position of the archer, after the release of the arrow. The archer should remain in the final position of having released the arrow at least until it has reached the target, without out moving and without watching its flight.