Sensei Royle demonstrates ashi barai with osae uke

With competitions such as the KUGB Grand Slam and ESKA Championships looming as well as senior dan gradings in the offing, there was no stopping USKFI squad members and black belts as they attended a vigorous course run by USKFI senior instructor Sensei David Royle.

Sensei began the class by working on the well-known combination of kizami/gyaku tsuki which he broke down to their component techniques, emphaising hikate and hip rotation as well as the punches themselves. After this, the class moved on to partner work, beginning with a series of geri combinations. After working on each kick, they were incorporated in to different attacks and blocks which culminated in full speed combinations. The class then practised ashi bari using different footwork, again progressing into incorporating various block and counters. The last section of the class was spent practising Heian Nidan, with the emphasis placed by Sensei Royle on quality of movement, hip rotation, kime and timing.

Those who attended found the class informative and very energetic, particularly for those competing in the KUGB's Grand Slam against England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland this weekend. The USKFI would like to wish them the best of luck.