After everyone’s heart rate was increased with an initial period of jogging on the spot, and agility work, the warm up phase of the session progressed to a routine using fundamental movement patterns. A simple block & punch, kick & punch, strike & punch sequence was built. The sequence incorporated the standard turning manoevre together with the longer turning manoevre using the front foot as found in Kihon kata.
Thereafter kicking technique was practised with a compliant partner: mae geri, yoko geri, chudan maewashi geri, and jodan maewashi geri. These kicks were then used as the counter attacks in ju ippon kumite. Distancing was key: the range for the mae geri was different to the range for the kekome; equally the range for the chudan maewashi geri was different to the range for the jodan maewashi geri. This was brought into sharp relief by the exercise. During the final round of ju ippon various elbow strikes were added by the black belts after each counter kick. The real contrast between the long and the short range counters, particularly when delivered in combination, challenged all to keep the tempo realistic: 1,2 as opposed to 1…..2!
Black belts then studied the kata Hangetsu, a compulsory for 2nd dan, whilst brown and purple belts studied Heian Godan. Beginner Noel Henderson did really well in getting through Kihon kata so smoothly and can now look forward to refining the moves.
16 members trained in the session: Noel Henderson; Bob Dainty; Miguel Dennis; Frank Dennis; Becky Cassapi; Steve Cassapi; Tom Hughes; Darren Cockburn; Jaquie Raikes; Audrius Mikalauskas; Kerry Lee; Caroline Todd; Charlotte Bonardi; Teddie Henderson; Rosemary Hall; Phil Raikes.
James, a black belt from the Newark club, also trained in the session and is most welcome to visit us again.
SOUTH NOTTS KARATE 