Second Kata Technical Checklists

The following are just a few technical checklists to help you hone your Second kata (Taigyoku Nidan)

Considering Second kata is virtually identical to its predecessor, the majority of First kata’s Technical Checklists apply equally to Second kata. However with a few slight changes, a number of new checklists apply.

All kicks are solar plexus height. This means that the punch and kick should both strike to the same target.

With the front kick added to Second kata, it’s more common for students to come up in height between stances. While it is virtually impossible to stay the same height between stances when kicking, your height should rise minimally with the base leg kept well bent.

After kicking, be sure that you pull your foot back towards your base knee prior to stepping forwards into stance. Some students develop the habit of dropping their foot straight down directly after kicking.

While all strikes in First kata are lunge punches (oi tsuki), Second kata incorporates both lunge punches and reverse punches (gyaku tsuki). Each of these strikes are accompanied with a front kick.

A reverse punch comes before a front kick on six occasions (counts 2, 4, 10, 12, 18 & 20). During these counts, be sure to rapidly square your hips up during the process of punching (adding your body weight to the punch). Be aware that during the process of rotating the hips from 45 degrees to square, some students develop the bad habit of allowing their elbow to flap out to the side (like a wing) in the punch. Despite the fact that your hip rotates, the elbows must remain kept in tight.

A front kick comes before a lunge punch on six occasions (counts 6, 7, 8, 14, 15 & 16). During these counts be sure to keep your upper body perfectly still while you are kicking. Once the kick has been completed, execute your punch while being mindful that the elbow does not fly out to the side (like a wing).