Friday frenetics

I had a crazy session today with the senior students class. I had my form adjusted on many techniques and at least one of my elders decided I was young enough to take getting thrown around. These Friday sessions are some of the most useful both because you see difficult techniques and because you get to practice with people who can really show you where to improve your technique. Today's lessons: constantly adjust your footwork achieve appropriate distance. The withdrawal step in many techniques should extend your uke enough that they have lost their center--but no more. You don't want to make it difficult to close again or compromise your own center. In all kokyo-nage techniques you must close to completely connect with uke. This is one of my biggest problems. Sensei showed me the most efficient way to do this is to ensure that you draw them into you as you move towards them (especially during tenkan techniques).