Discussion on monday-kihon-lessons

[Dean]

One thing that I think will make the yoi-dachi-ing easier is if we
have them all rotate 90 degrees (CW for left leg, CCW for right leg)
in their yoi-dachi, so they don't have to think too much about kicking
out to the side...that is, if we have more room front-to-back than we
do left-to-right. alternatively, it might be good to make sure they
have enough space between each other (i.e. one and a half full-reaches
or something) so they don't kick each other. especially if two people
accidentally kick towards each other (i.e. one person uses their left
and one person uses their right). It's a lot harder to get confused
when you're just kicking to the "front"

[Amanda]

hmm. yeah i spose, that makes some sense.

do you guys always start with one side or does your instructor tell
you which to start with? cuz we always step out with or kick first
with or left. (hidari/migi!)

in this drill i think one of the important things is that it's
switching back and forth so you have to think (kinda think... no
really...) about alternating which foot you put your weight on, and if
you make the effort to look in the direction before you kick, then
it's not so mmuch about thinking about kicking to the side, just about
the kick. so, there's another part to it that we would lose if we have
them rotated.

if you just want to do front leg kicks you might as well do them in
kiba dachi and move across teh floor.

[Dean]

I'm just trying to think of the average student here...if we just do
back and forth, I'm pretty conscious of where my legs are going,
mostly cause I know I can kick hard and I know I have good reach with
my legs. I don't think everyone does it, and the fact that it's easy
to get into autopilot and get lazy means someone might inadvertently
lean too far sideways or kick out too far and smack/get smacked by the
person next to them.

We could do it your way, and just spread the lines another half column-
width and do it that way--that would make me feel better.

We usually start with the right...whether we step back or forward...I
think. Essentially, though, it's the mirror of the instructor (in
case they forget which side you're doing).

"Eh" towards front leg kicks in Kiba Dachi...because the only kicks
you can do from there are hook, side, and back kick variants.
Besides, Kiba Dachi is a rooted stance, and not very mobile. The day
I let somebody get away with kicking me from Kiba Dachi is the day I
decide I'm too slow to do sport kumite anymore...Not saying it's not
good for your legs, just saying I'd like to balance it out with
shizentai front-leg kicks, or maybe use Kiba for sliding techniques
only.

[Amanda]

hmmm okie i see where you're coming from.
that's fine, anyways, it simplifies everything.

and, i'm not saying that you should necessarily spar with the kihon
stuff, just, practicing stuff in kiba dachi is like, full execution so
that when you do it when you're sparring you do it better...