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Monthly Message: September 2003
Fellow Karate-ka:
Lately I've been watching the class
perform their kata and I have seen many errors in the performance that
are common and yet not so common. What does this mean? Well to put it in
plain English it simply means that there has been neglect on your part
to practice at home what you've been taught in class.
I am specifically speaking of your
basics. You know, your punches, blocks, strikes, kicks, and stances. Yes
those things! The fundamental techniques which when put together in
various ways form the kata that you are learning.
There seems to be too many of you in
class that are participating in their karate training only during class
times. I know this through a couple ways. The first is when I know that
I have given instruction in a certain basic for an entire class and when
the class is finished you have it down pretty good. Then I tell you to
go home and practice it. The next time I call for that basic technique
and 90% of you cannot do it correctly and you have looks on your faces
like you've never done it before tells me that you did not practice it
at home.
The second is that I'm your sensei. I
care about the caliber of student that I produce. I know what's right
and what's wrong with your basic techniques. If you consistently stand
in front of me and perform the same then you will stay the same. Do not
be surprised when you do not pass a belt examination or you are not
invited to test at all. You reap what you sow. Here's a way to clearly
see how it works: no practice no gain
Same practice stay the same
More practice move ahead
It's all up to you. I will not promote
laziness and I do not give belts away for money or just because you have
been taking karate for awhile.
Karate is about you and your character.
Just like you would not progress in grade levels in school if you did
not pass your tests by studying your class work, so it is in karate. You
must show improvement in yourself. You must work to correct errors in
your basics that are pointed out to you and pay attention to the
assignment that is given to you by your sensei. Stop worrying about how
many kata you know because not one of you, and I mean not one of you
knows any kata!
We are all struggling participants in the
way of karate. Moving up to shodan is a passage to be able to begin to
learn karate for that is when the real training begins. Making the rank
of shodan is about performing good basics. Without them you cannot learn
anything more. You will not reach shodan without strong basics.
Make a commitment to yourself now that
I'm pointing this out to you. All of you know who you are. The dojo is a
place to learn new things and a place to show the things you already
know. It is not a place to practice. That's done any where except in the
dojo or unless you are instructed to do so in the dojo.
Keep this in mind that next time before
some of you utilize the disrespect of asking your sensei: "When can I
test? I know all of my kata."
If you are consistently throwing bad
punches, blocks, and cannot move in your stances correctly and you are
wearing any color belt but white, you have a definite problem that needs
to be addressed by you. Not any one else. Get busy!
This is the way.
Sensei Dave
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