Here’s what the Hombu is teaching this month.

It’s important to remember that the lessons linked to below are only a starting point, and that there is so much more great learning content to explore from all of our instructors.

July

Level 1

• “Ko-yoku” Earth grounded hand-edge inside hook punch, knock-back strike

  Principle: Structure can overcome power. Use bone alignment – not joint and muscle tension

  1. Off-The-Shoulder Punch Attack by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
  2. Defense Against Off-The-Shoulder Punch by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
  3. Details: Off-The-Shoulder Punch Defense by Shane Raitoshi Stevens

• “Backward Boulder Roller” Backward rocking or rolling escape on ground

  1. Backward Roll by James Kentoshi Norris

• “Ryo-te Gake” Escape from 2-hand throat choke “Pull apart, go up the center!”

  Principle: Vectoring – glancing blows from angle position – redirects straight forward power

  1. Two-Hand Crushing Choke by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
  2. Two-Hand Choke Defense by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
  3. Details: Two-Handed Choke Defense by Shane Raitoshi Stevens

• Sideways rolling escape (soku-ho kai-ten ukemi)

  1. Sideways Roll by James Kentoshi Norris

• “Forward Boulder Roller” Forward shoulder roll-over escape on ground

  1. Forward Roll by James Kentoshi Norris

Level 2

• “Water” outward rolling defensive strike to incoming punch

  Principle: Move inside to match his centerline to dissipate his power

  1. Water Strategic Cross-Punch Defense by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
  2. Details: Water Cross-Punch Defense by Shane Raitoshi Stevens

• “Water” punch-deflecting defense on ground –shadowboxing and with partner

  Principle: Move inside to match his centerline to dissipate his power

  1. Grounded Punching Attack Defense by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
  2. Grounded Punch Barrage Details by Shane Raitoshi Stevens

• “Backward Boulder Roller” Backward rocking or rolling escape on ground

  1. Backward Roll by James Kentoshi Norris

• Defense against headlock attack wrestling you alongside aggressor’s body

  Principle: Move your center of gravity towards his to negate his power over you

  1. Sideways Headlock Escape by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
  2. How to Escape Sideways Headlock by Shane Raitoshi Stevens

• Sideways rolling escape (soku-ho kai-ten ukemi)

  1. Sideways Roll by James Kentoshi Norris

Level 3

• Wind evasive strike defense inside heavy hook punch

  1. Wind Inside a Cross by An-shu Rumiko Hayes
  2. Details: Wind Inside a Cross by Shane Raitoshi Stevens

• Reach under elbow and flatten arm for rear shoulder lock (mu-so dori)

  1. Mu-so Dori Kata by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
  2. Details of Mu-so Dori Kata by Shane Raitoshi Stevens

• Elbow-lock defense against downward-swing club attack (oni kudaki)

  1. Oni-Kudaki Dori Kata by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
  2. Details for Oni-Kudaki Dori Kata by Shane Raitoshi Stevens

Level 4

• Ko-Yoku Kata

  1. Ko-Yoku Black Belt Kata by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
  2. Explanation of Ko-Yoku by Shane Raitoshi Stevens

August

Level 1

• Straight Punch Defense

  Principle: Get behind attack; do not stand there on the spot resisting.

  1. Off-The-Shoulder Punch Attack by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes