Watashi-sama

Thanks for all the help, guys. I really appreciate it.

What about throwing a tennis ball at a wall, and then trying to block it as it bounces back at me? Do you think that would help?

Thanks, that seems like it would help. What about blocks, though? Is there a way to practice those? My instructor always put great emphasis on blocks. And what about one-steps?

I had recently gotten surgery to fix an ingrown toenail. Then, during sparring, my brother did this kind of spinning sweeping heel kick thingy, and he ended up tearing my toenail half off. Two years and three surgeries later, it's still causing me problems. It's only just starting to heal after I went to an acupuncturist. But until it does, I won't be doing any roundhouse kicks with my right foot.

I have not been to my dojo for some months now (forgot to renew my registration), and I'm worried my skills are starting to get a bit rusty. Beating up my punching bag and kicking the air five dozen times a day helps, but it can only get me so far. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to train? (Sparring is out of the question, as the only potential sparring partner around doesn't want to help, and I know him too well to bother trying to convince him.)