Page 88 - Beyond Basics_Neat

BEYOND BASICS

as well as their similarities. With a step, the front foot pulls as
the rear pushes to shift the bodyweight forward in preparation
for the step. A Front Kick will use the hips to drive the knee
forward creating a more explosive movement. Apply that
explosive Front Kick action to the stepping movement.

…the idea was to develop my skills with
under Black Belt students who were way
below my rank and experience level.

Making your stepping action as explosive as a Front Kick will
enhance your stepping speed.

In 1976 I packed up and made a move to Seattle, Washington.
Continued competing at Northwest events but consistent training
became almost non-existent until 1979 when I started teaching at
a Community Center. until 1985 I didn’t have any students who
were even remotely close to my level and occasional training with
friends at or above my level was the best I could get.
During those “lean” years the “Distance Speed” concept was
developed. The idea was to develop my skills with under Black Belt
students who were way below my rank and experience level.

My early days also helped with the development., I wore glasses
and as a Red Belt I would remove them to keep them from getting
broken. What I noticed was that because my eyesight was poor, I
couldn’t “see” the attack until it was in “mid-flight” which meant
I had to react faster just to keep from being hit. This practice not
only Improved my skills but my speed as well.
Distance Speed is a very simple and easy concept to understand
and put into practice and will help with both defensive and
offensive skills and speed.

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