Pat the dog, tickle the dog, good boy.
This one is Sensei James’ device for the flowing hands in Bassai-dai. I’ve used it several times to teach lower grades this move and it has been quite effective!
Oh, you’re sooo annoying!
This one is mine for remembering the Japanese terms for footwork: oi ashi, yori ashi, sugi ashi, ayumi ashi. It’s not the most positive of mnemonics, but I figure if you’re stepping forward to punch someone, you’re not feeling too positive towards them. 😆 I prefer the word “annoying” to more positive words because it starts with A and has a Y, just like ayumi does.
Goes ’round like ma-washing-machine
Mawashi is from the Japanese “to turn”, we use it to preface the round techniques:
- mawashi geri = round kick
- mawashi empi = round elbow strike
- mawashi uke = circular block
One way to remember this term is to liken it to a washing machine, the barrel of which goes around.
What are your favourite memory devices?
Be Your Own Sensei 