Traditional Karate
Weekly Newsletter • 14 March 2026
Weekly Update from Wadō-Ryū Benkyō
Hello, welcome to your 14th weekly update from Wadō-Ryū Benkyō. Below you’ll find this Saturday’s training notes, the latest long-format video, a featured article, course updates, and this week’s principle.
🥋 1. Saturday Benkyō Class Review – Today’s Training
There are no notes from Saturday’s class this week, but here are some reflections from Monday’s training, which turned out to be an excellent session for breaking things down and examining the finer details of movement.
It sounds simple to isolate a single technique or one or two movements from a combination, but I highly recommend trying this the next time you train.
In Wadō-Ryū, defence is rarely about the arms making contact with the opponent’s attack. Most of the defensive work has already been done before that moment. The arms are often used more for control, redirection, or as a secondary safeguard following the body movement.
You will have heard us talk about taisabaki, ashi-sabaki, nagasu and inasu, alongside concepts such as ten-tai, ten-gi and ten-i before. But how do you really know if you understand these principles?
On Monday we explored this through Kumite Kata and Kihon paired work. One exercise we often return to is attempting to perform the tori side of the pair work without using the arms at all, and still avoiding the attack.
This forces the body to move correctly: subtly taking the body off the line of attack, rotating the head and body out of range, and allowing the counter to arise from the body movement itself. It also allows us to check posture, balance, impact, and footwork.
It is a very revealing exercise. If the body movement is correct, the technique works. If it is not, the arms cannot hide the mistake — and speed often disguises errors rather than fixing them.
To help reinforce this, we broke each movement down to its base components.
Working with a partner, we began with the very first movement only, without moving the feet. The focus was simply on moving the head slightly off the line of attack while the partner delivered a repeated attack. This helped us understand distance, timing, and how little movement is actually required.
Once this became comfortable, we added the body turn — the natural follow-up to the head movement that moves the body safely away from the incoming attack.
After repeated practice we added the next element: a subtle shift of the feet, helping protect the groin while moving further off the attack line. Combined with the head movement and body turn, and by settling slightly through the hips and knees, the separate pieces began to merge into one cohesive movement.
At this point it also became clear how important Naihanchi Kata is for understanding the relationship between the upper and lower body. The legs move the body off the attack line while the lower body maintains forward intention. Meanwhile the upper body can rotate subtly and independently to control distance and prepare for the counter.
Having worked through these elements, we then looked at the defending arm in isolation. Where exactly should the arm protect the centreline? Where should the hand meet the incoming attack for maximum effect? Understanding this reinforces the idea that control of the centreline protects the body.
After spending nearly an hour working on these components separately, we returned to performing the movements together. The difference from where we had started was significant.
This level of detailed practice is not always everyone’s favourite approach, but sometimes the only way to truly understand something is to take it completely apart and rebuild it from the ground up. By the end of the lesson there was a noticeable improvement in movement, timing, and understanding.
To finish the session we practised some slow Jukuren Kumite, focusing on applying the same principles. By removing speed and aggression — and setting aside the competitive urge to score first — the aim was to allow movement to flow naturally. The focus remained on positioning, receiving, dropping, and countering.
As always, it was a great session that moved our practice forward, and one we will hopefully repeat many times in the future.
🎥 2. This Week’s Long-Format Video
Part 22 - Gyakuzuki Notsukomi - Kihon Fundamentals
Watch here: https://youtu.be/rUoyRO_H4Uc
Kihon Fundamentals – Gyakuzuki Notsukomi: Technical Breakdown with Roger Vickerman Renshi (7th Dan) In this volume of the Kihon Fundamentals series, Roger Vickerman Renshi explores Gyakuzuki Notsukomi, examining how Wadō-Ryū body mechanics transform a familiar reverse punch into a continuous, connected movement driven by posture, centre, and timing. Rather than treating Gyakuzuki as an isolated striking action, this session focuses on how the body travels through the technique. Particular attention is given to maintaining forward intention while coordinating the hips, supporting leg, and centre so the punch emerges naturally from whole-body movement rather than arm strength. Throughout the breakdown, Roger explains how Notsukomi principles maintain continuity between techniques, allowing the practitioner to move smoothly without rising, stopping, or collapsing structure. By controlling posture and weight transfer correctly, Gyakuzuki Notsukomi becomes both powerful and efficient while remaining consistent with Wadō’s emphasis on relaxation and fluid motion. The discussion also highlights common errors that occur when the punch is treated as a separate action instead of the natural continuation of body movement. Key areas explored include: • Understanding Gyakuzuki Notsukomi within Wadō-Ryū movement principles • Coordinating hips, centre, and posture to drive the technique • Maintaining forward intention without rising or breaking structure • Avoiding stop–start transitions between techniques • Using the supporting leg and body weight effectively • Applying Wadō principles such as dōsa, datsuryoku, ryūsui, and shizumu As with all volumes in the Kihon Fundamentals series, the aim is not to add complexity, but to remove unnecessary tension and mechanical habits so that correct movement can emerge naturally. This breakdown is ideal for practitioners looking to refine the subtle mechanics behind Wadō-Ryū punching and understand how kihon principles translate directly into kata and kumite.
Watch on YouTube📝 3. Featured Article of the Week
Article: https://wadoryubenkyo.co.uk/blog/rohai.html
Rohai Kata – The Hidden Depths of a Small Kata
Rohai (鷺牌), often translated as “Vision of the White Heron,” is a kata that can easily be underestimated. Compact and elegant on the surface, it reveals surprising depth once explored beyond choreography. In this week’s breakdown, we examine how Rohai Shodan — the version preserved in Wadō-Ryū — reflects influences from Southern Chinese White Crane and Okinawan martial traditions. Beneath its clean structure lie principles of kuzushi (balance breaking), close-range control, and flowing redirection through nagashi movement. The kata also provides an excellent vehicle for exploring key Wadō ideas such as maai, gamaku, chinkuchi, and mochimi, showing how posture, centre engagement, and subtle body mechanics create efficient technique. Rohai reminds us that smaller kata are often the most concentrated — and therefore the most demanding — revealing deeper layers each time they are studied.
📅 4. Upcoming Courses, Events, or Updates
Things you may want to know about:
- Course and events calendar is now live on the website and will be updated regularly so please bookmark it and check it
- The May 2026 course dates and location has been confirmed, you can see all the details and book on here
- Website updates: Wadō-Ryū Benkyō is now fully live, but more content is being added all the time, so keep checking back for new articles, videos and announcements
- Saturday sessions to run through until 2026 - we will be training all Saturdays in December and January except the 17th January, if you would like to attend a Saturday session for the first time reply to this email and let us know
🧠 5. Wadō-Ryū Principle of the Week
Go-no-sen (後の先)
Go-no-sen (後の先) is commonly translated as “late initiative”. It describes the ability to respond only after the opponent has committed to their action, using timing, positioning, and awareness rather than attempting to move first.
In Wadō-Ryū Karate, this principle reflects a deeper strategic mindset. Rather than rushing to attack or attempting to overpower the opponent, the practitioner waits for the moment when the opponent’s intention becomes clear. Once the attack begins, movement occurs immediately — not in reaction alone, but in a way that places the body in a superior position.
In this way, go-no-sen is not passive. It is a form of controlled patience, where the practitioner allows the opponent’s commitment to create the opportunity for effective technique.
Understanding the Meaning of Go-no-sen
The phrase is composed of three elements:
- Go (後) — after or behind
- No (の) — possessive connector
- Sen (先) — initiative, timing, or precedence
Together they describe taking initiative after the opponent has moved.
However, this should not be misunderstood as simply reacting slowly. The moment the opponent commits to an action, their movement creates openings — changes in posture, balance, and intention. Go-no-sen uses this commitment to create advantage.
In Wadō terms, the opponent begins the movement, but the defender finishes the exchange.
Why Wadō-Ryū Emphasises Go-no-sen
Wadō-Ryū developed from both Okinawan karate and Japanese jujutsu traditions. In jujutsu systems, it is often safer and more effective to allow an attacker to initiate movement before applying technique.
When an attacker commits:
- their posture often stretches forward
- their balance shifts
- their intention becomes visible
- their options become limited
Responding at this moment allows the defender to apply technique with far greater efficiency.
Rather than meeting force with force, Go-no-sen allows the practitioner to use the opponent’s commitment as the beginning of their own technique.
Timing Rather Than Speed
A common misunderstanding is that successful technique depends primarily on speed. In reality, correct timing is far more important.
Speed attempts to arrive before the opponent.
Timing allows you to arrive exactly when the opponent becomes vulnerable.
Go-no-sen emphasises reading the moment of commitment. When the opponent’s body begins to move, their structure is temporarily unstable. Entering at this moment allows technique to work with much less effort.
This is why experienced practitioners often appear calm or unhurried. Their movement occurs at precisely the right moment rather than as a rushed reaction.
Go-no-sen in Wadō Movement
Go-no-sen is expressed through several characteristic aspects of Wadō movement.
Taisabaki (Body Movement)
Instead of blocking directly, the body shifts slightly off the line of attack. This movement occurs just as the opponent commits, allowing the attack to pass while maintaining position for counter-technique. See also Ashi-sabaki and Taisabaki.
Irimi (Entering)
Once the attack begins, the defender often enters decisively into the opponent’s space. This entry occurs after the attack is launched but before it can be completed. This is closely linked to Irimi and to Wadō’s preference for position over collision.
Kuzushi (Breaking Balance)
Because the opponent has already committed their weight or posture to the attack, subtle changes in position can easily disrupt their balance. For a fuller explanation, see Kuzushi.
Examples in Wadō Training
Go-no-sen appears throughout Wadō practice.
In Kihon Kumite, the defender rarely moves before the attack begins. Instead, movement occurs as the attacker commits, allowing the defender to reposition and counter.
In kata, many movements that appear to be blocks are actually examples of entering after the opponent has attacked. This can often be seen in forms such as Seishan, Chintō, and Jion.
In kumite, Go-no-sen becomes particularly important. Attempting to attack too early often exposes the practitioner to counterattack. Waiting for the moment of commitment allows technique to emerge naturally.
Go-no-sen and the Mind
Because Go-no-sen depends on timing and perception, it also requires the correct mental state.
A mind that is tense or impatient may move too early.
A mind that hesitates may move too late.
The ideal state lies between these extremes: calm awareness that allows the practitioner to recognise the moment of commitment.
This connects directly with other Wadō principles such as Mushin and Fudōshin.
Common Misunderstandings
Go-no-sen is sometimes misunderstood as simply waiting for the opponent to attack.
- it is not passive waiting
- it is not slow reaction
- it is not defensive hesitation
Instead, it is strategic timing. The practitioner allows the opponent to initiate movement, then immediately takes control of the exchange.
In Simple Terms
Go-no-sen means allowing the opponent to move first, then responding at the exact moment their commitment creates opportunity.
Rather than relying on speed or strength, it relies on timing, positioning, and awareness. In Wadō-Ryū, this principle reflects the deeper strategy of avoiding unnecessary collision while placing the body in a position where effective technique becomes inevitable.
🙏 Thank You for Being Part of the Community
If you have any questions, video requests, or feedback, let us know — We read everything.
Wishing you a fantastic week of training,
Roger and The Team
Wado-Ryu Benkyo