From Mr. Keith Eng, Sho Dan
Wilton Karate Club

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Move Forward

Hanshi, Kyoshi, Shihan, Sensei and Deshi, Onegai-shimasu!

We have often heard Hanshi or one of the Sensei use the command 'move forward'. 'Move forward' is more than a catch-phrase to motivate our workouts and karate training. It is also a technique for kumite and practice. Shoshin Nagamine describes Chotoku Kyan's training in his book The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do as follows:

The secret was that when a small man faces and opponent, he must not take backward steps to evade blows or kicks; instead he should take forward steps or side steps so that he can take the offensive right after defending himself. To acquire this "offensive-right-after-defense" technique by stepping forward or sideways, Kyan used to train himself on the banks of the Hija River, keeping his back to the river or the railings of the bridge.

As Shorin-Ryu karateka, we should also ensure that we always 'move forward' during kumite, in practice, and in life.

Arigato,
Keith Eng
Sho Dan
Wilton Karate Club