Two great sessions this evening.
In the 6.15pm class we began with basic punching practise from natural stance and then on the move using oi tsuki and sanbon tsuki. A point was made about the tempo of the three punch combination. It is usually, 1…2,3. So the combination performed with this conventional timing provides practise in a single punch – the oi tsuki; and two punches in combination – the chocu tsukis. Change the tempo to 1,2,3 and you practise a three punch combination. In any event the higher grades did both!
We then paired off to work on yoko empi uchi and yoko geri keage. Alot of progress was made with both techniques in terms of the mechanics behind the effective delivery of them. The proof of the pudding was in the eating, as they say, and I am pleased to report it tasted fine! Both techniques were used in an ippon kumite exercise and were applied well.
Kihon kata was then drilled by the whole class, before those under 14yrs bowed out and observed the older students performing the kata. Inspired by what they saw, the youngsters then had a go, and raised their game accordingly.
The 7pm session was a tale of two halves: kumite and then, kata. Following two rounds of skipping, mitts were donned and gumshields popped in for sparring practise. We didn’t simply spar for the sake of it, we worked on specifics: namely the proper appreciation of the space between the two fighters, and how to work in, and around it. We had several partner changes which gave everyone an opportunity of developing this crucial aspect of their game.
Kata study then followed. The lower grades worked on Heian Godan; the black belts Nijushiho. The whole cohort practised initially and then divided into groups for more focussed study. The junior and senior kata teams for Sunday’s Championship (Jack Robson, Alex Heather, Becky Cassapi and Steve Hull, Kerry Lee and Audrius Mikalauskas) were able to get in some much welcome practise time.
15 members trained in the 6.15pm session: Joseph Mann; Sam McCallister; Archie Beardsley; Jason Mann; George Coates; Jonathan Osborne; Paul Osborne; Frank Dennis; Becky Cassapi; Steve Cassapi; Anthony Mills; Alex Heather; Hary Heather; Alex Hull; Kerry Lee.
Assistant instructors: Alan Lea and Rachel Tyler.
12 members trained in the 7pm session: Becky Cassapi; Steve Cassapi; Anthony Mills; Jack Robson; Rachel Tyler; Audrius Mikalauskas; Steve Hull; Kerry Lee; Rory Cave; Rosemary Hall; Arthur Hall; Alan Lea
SOUTH NOTTS KARATE 