Firstly, before going on to add my tuppence worth I wish to say this. the Watts when launching this site, told me that they wanted it to become a site were we all share info, stories etc about OUR Shotokan Studies. The aim of this was to create a safe atmosphere to admit difficulties experiences knowing you would recieve a listening ear and a positive response.
May I respectfully say that I believe their aim is gaining fruition and this thread is a prime example. Total respect to Grunners and Bob D for taking the time to help this young (and have you noticed - VERY enthusiastic) Karateka - SO: Respect Sirs Respect.
To add to the fine wisdom above Alex I would suggest the following (and I have seen you train
)
Bob has nailed it - 5 stages will sought it for you - simply add some personal thought into devising training regimes to aid development and you will work it out.
I would suggest that the major problem with all kicks is the fact that students get OVER FOCUSED on the kicking leg.
If you think about it - Mawashi Geri is simply Mae Geri lay on its side.
The only difference as far as the kicking leg is concerned is the structure, flightpath and return Flight path of the Kicking leg (and obviously a variation in foot positioning on impact).
the secret is to work out what your supporting leg, hips and upper body must do to enable a valid outward and return flight path that will create productive impact.
From my observations I would say that
You curl in on the Kick and thus create a contrary equation of support leg, hips and body actually contradicting the aim of the kicks trajectory and impact creation etc,
BUT DO NOT WORRY it is absolutely par for the course at your grade. You are in 'More equals a good result' when in fact the truth is LESS IS MORE.
once you understand this you will learn that there is actually three ways to deliver Mawashi Geri - all valid but different results.
One is very simple and suitable for Shiai Kumite when the desired result is 'get your foot onto the side of his face!'
the second is the classical Mawashi Geri that shows good form etc and WILL do damage.
finally there is then a version that almost contradicts the kick in the way you time the mechanics but done correctly it magnifies the impact considerably.
Dave hazard taught them to me several decades ago - he is the only Instructor before or Since that i have trained with that shows you this and it is brilliant.
for now - forget Jodan and think 5 Stages. If i get time tomorrow i will post a diagram of a training process that will help YOU and stop that 'curling into the kick'.
and take on board the info given by your fellow OSS participants above.
I think they should charge you
oh and if i may ALex, ask some assistance from you for an old computer numpty - what does XD mean?