Kyoshi's Weekly Technique Bulletin 02/08/98

FEBRUARY 8, 1998

COVER RIGHT AWAY

One of the more prevalent technique mistakes that I saw from all of us deshi during today's New York City belt promotion was the lack of covering right away during blocking techniques.

Some actually opened their arms WIDER before beginning to cover, while others "stalled" their arms in an open position prior to covering. (Their feet were moving while their arms were not.)

There are a number of obvious drawbacks to this habit. One is
that we are vulnerable to our opponent's attack while we are open. (Better to get struck on the arms than on the target we are trying to protect.)

Another negative result is that it slows our entire movement. In other words, if we cover right away as we should, and then keep the arm moving throughout the technique without letting it "stall" until the final kimai, the feet will be forced to move more quickly, and closer to the deck, to keep pace with our quickened arms. After all, the foot must land before the arm executes its technique.

Therefore, cover right away.

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu,
David Baker,
Denshi/Shihan
Midtown Karate Dojo

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ROBERT SCAGLIONE, Kyoshi, began his karate training 30 years ago in 1967. This is his 25th anniversary as a Blackbelt under Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro-Hanshi of the Shorin-Ryu Karate U.S.A. system. Kyoshi Scaglione is the Chief Administrator of the original style in the United States. He has traveled with Hanshi throughout the U.S.A. and as his representative worldwide. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1938, Kyoshi served in the U.S. Navy and in 1961 became a NYC Police Officer. He voluntarily worked exclusively in high crime/ high hazard areas during his entire 20 year tenure with the NYPD. He served in many assignments in all five boroughs of New York City including uniformed street cop, undercover officer and as a Detective in the elite Special Investigating Unit featured in the film "The French Connection." He led the NYPD in felony arrests many times and has numerous awards, citations and letters of commendation from Police Department officials, Federal Agencies, District Attorneys, Grand jurors and the civilian community. He retired from police service in 1981 in order to devote himself full time to the art of karate.

Kyoshi began his karate training in the NYPD. He continued his training under Sensei Terry Maccarrone-Shihan of the Hegashi Karate Dojo on Long Island, New York. He was Senior Instructor at the St. James Dojo for five years. Hanshi Ueshiro, wanting a dojo in Manhattan, asked Kyoshi to open a dojo in New York City. He founded the NYC dojo in 1977, which became the headquarters of Shorin-Ryu Karate USA several years later. After ten years, in 1987, Kyoshi relocated to Merritt Island, Florida and founded the Okinawan Karate Dojo leaving his senior student David Baker, San Dan to continue operation of the NYC dojo.

Over 125 students began their training directly under Kyoshi Scaglione and have attained blackbelt level. He continues to work closely with all his blackbelts, including the ten who have opened dojo on the mainland US, Hawaii, and in Israel. Among his students are many professionals, doctors, lawyers, military officers, police officers, business executives, artists, writers, housewives, students and children.

Kyoshi is the co-author with artist Bill Cummins, Ni Dan of "The Shorin-Ryu Karate Question and Answer Book" and has written another entitled "Building Warrior Spirit." His student David Seeger, Yon Dan, an Emmy Award winner, has produced several karate videos with Kyoshi. Kyoshi is the Editor-at-large of this 30th Anniversary journal. He has written and assisted his students in writing newspaper and magazine articles, film scripts on varied subjects, novels, and stage plays. He has appeared on national T.V. and radio, in stage productions, and at Universities and schools giving karate demonstrations and lectures on self-defense and assault prevention. Kyoshi's four sons, Sal, Robert Jr., Dion, and Shane are all Ni Dan blackbelts.