Building Techniques
When structuring our lesson plans, we will build it off of a "Mother throw", or throws, Utilizing the fundamentals of these throws to then build into more intermediate or advanced level techniques. This teaching technique was inspired by and built off of a method taught by Sensei Israel Hernandez.
The 8 mother throws identified are:
If we have a mixed class, where you have students of all different skillsets/skill levels, what we start with a beginner technique and build off that technique. Throughout the class, we will refresh everyone on the introductory (see Beginner) technique and we may pull other students to the side to have them start working on the more advanced versions of the techniques. It may be a recognized technique, like going from O Soto Gari to O Soto Guruma. Or it may be a modification of the technique, for example, a Seoi Nage to a Collar Side Seoi Nage. Remember that if a person is struggling with the advancement into the next technique, it is important and necessary to regress back to the previous technique. An advanced technique cannot be done properly, without good handle on the original techniques.
The following table is an example of how we will build techniques off each to start with a more basic technique and evolve into a more advanced technique.