Following an excellent warm up delivered by assistant instructor Rachel Tyler, we spent time on the fundamentals of basic kihon ippon kumite and kihon kata. For the beginners in the class this was a challenging exercise in co-ordination, for the higher grades who were present, it was an opportunity to refine the basics. As I said in the session: don’t just do it; refine it!
In the 7.00pm session we began with three x two minute rounds of skipping/syncopation with the rope. The main thrust of the session then revolved around the 2nd dan syllabus. We started with the double kick, double punch combinations. These kicking combinations drain every ounce of energy when performed under pressure in the grading, and are not to be taken lightly when practised in class! We broke the techniques down for two sets; then worked lightly for two sets; then full bore for four sets. Thereafter the 2nd dan special combination was practised; to count initially; then lightly; then all out.
We then turned our attention first to kata, then to kumite. We began by working on the detail of Enpi then Jion which are both compulsorys for 2nd dan. We practised the katas to count twice; then performed them lightly. Jiyu ippon kumite followed with prescribed standard attacks, and prescribed non-standard defensive manoeuvres: zigging right when evading the first attack; zagging left when evading the second…and so on! This was the platform for the next layer to the exercise: kaeshi jiyu ippon kumite! After several partner changes the class concluded by returning to the two katas practised earlier. Spirited performances of both katas finished the class on a high! Which is just how I like it!
14 members trained in the 6.15pm class: (3 beginners) + Joseph Mann; Jason Mann; Jonathan Osborne; Paul Osborne; Frank Dennis; Gregory Mills; Alex Heather; Harry Heather; Alex Hull; Darren Cockburn; Steve Hull.
7 members trained in the 7pm class: Ryan Skilton; Rachel Tyler; Audrius Mikalauscas; Charlotte Bonardi; Kerry Lee; Steve Hull; Rory Cave.
Assistant instructor: Rachel Tyler
SOUTH NOTTS KARATE 