Stepping Soto Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai
This combination is one of five combinations that are part of the green 6th kyu examination and develop a good understanding of shomen (square facing) and hanmi (side facing).
It is important when practicing this combination, that you do not push the front knee out on the reverse punch, or let the front knee collapse inwards on the third technique. There is a slight ‘pulling in’ of the front and back thigh on completion of gyaku zuki (reverse punch). Keep the head facing forward throughout the combination, try and move forward and backwards in a straight line and keep the same height. When starting the forward step, do not move the front foot until you are at least half way through the step. When starting the backward step, do not move the back foot forward just before you step.
Stepping Forward
1. Starting from a left side gedan barai (downward block)
2. An initial, small but important forward movement with the front knee, whilst keeping the front foot still.
3. Drive the left shoulder, right hip and rib cage forward, at the same time keeping the right shoulder back.
4. Try pulling with the front leg as you step half way.
5. From half way, the left leg then pushes from the floor to propel the body forward.
6. At the same time the right foot lands, rotate the body strongly driving the right side of the body and hip forward and around into the hanmi (side facing) position and execute the block.
7. As the block lands, drive the left heel back into the floor tighten the muscles for a split second, especially muscles under the blocking arm, abdomen and the back and inside of the thigh muscles and buttocks, them immediately relax.
8. Once again drive from the left heel and execute a gyaku zuki (reverse punch) chudan (body). Bringing the body and hips into the Shomen (square) position.
9. Now finish the combination with a gedan barai (downward block), Bringing the body and hips into the Hanmi (side) position.
Stepping Backward
1. Starting from a left side soto uke (outside block)
2. An initial, small but important bend or soften of the back knee a split second before you start to step back.
3. Do not try and push off the front foot as you start the step backwards, instead as you soften the back knee you pull the front leg back and right side of the body and hips.
4. At the half way point (feet close), the right leg then pushes from the floor to propel the body backward.
5. At the same time the left foot lands, rotate the body strongly driving the right side of the body and hip forward and around into the hanmi (side facing) position and execute the block.
6. As the block lands, drive the left heel back into the floor tighten the muscles for a split second, especially muscles under the punching arm, abdomen and the back and inside of the thigh muscles and buttocks, them immediately relax.
7. Once again drive from the left heel and execute a gyaku zuki (reverse punch) chudan (body). Bringing the body and hips into the Shomen (square) position.
8. Now finish the combination with a gedan barai (downward block), Bringing the body and hips into the Hanmi (side) position.
Top Tips
Move on your centre line (Seichusen).
Keep the shoulders down and relaxed.
Work on the rotation at completion of the block and try and get a sharp snap of the hips and body as the blocks and punches complete.
Keep the same height throughout the step
The block travels forward and around, not just a big arc.
Stay relaxed throughout the step, then kime on completion.
Try and move in a straight line and not in an arc
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