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Always aim for a small, specific target for all offensive techniques.
Our primary frontal targets (nose, solar plexus, and groin) are along the midline of the body - where nerve systems are centralized, which make them
uniquely effective - and the midline is also easiest to hit during a moving, dynamic
fight.
These are much like the targets used at an archery or rifle range - you
always aim for the bull's-eye in the middle. (We don't always hit the
bull's-eye, but we always aim for it.) Also, even the human-shaped targets at
a firing range are of the torso with the "bull's-eye" in the center. I have
yet to see a target of a single arm or single leg.
That's also why we rarely use peripheral targets in karate - such as points
on the limbs or on the outside of the chest - because in addition to not being as effective in stopping our opponents as nose, solar plexus or groin,
It is also more difficult to hit peripheral points because of the nature of
the movements of the two participants of the fight.
Both are going left or right, while also moving forward or backward, leaning in or leaning out with
the upper body, and extending or withdrawing the particular limb.
Domo arigato gozaimasu,
David Baker
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.
