The three junior white belts joined the more seasoned sunday morning regulars for a varied session. We began with some very rapid multiple punching sets before working on the basic kicks. We used maegeri with the front leg to start each set, varying the second kick with the back leg, and finally adding a double punch finish.
We returned to punching practise with a partner acting as a target. Positive contact was encouraged (where appropriate) so that the hitter and the ‘hittee’ received some kind of feedback! At this stage of the session the white belts practised the final move in the basic gohon kumite drill, namely the age uke gyaku tsuki combination. This short period of focussed practice resulted in the juniors ironing out the difficulty they often have with correct distancing.
Thereafter the higher grades worked on ‘dashing’ in on the opponent with two and three punch combinations. This exercise was then developed further and culminated in a kumite exercise in the style of jiyu ippon. Whilst the higher grades were storming in on one another, the white belts were polishing their complete gohon kumite routines with more measured concentrated effort. Both groups made excellent progress in a number of areas.
At the 11.00am watershed we divided into groups for kata practise. The senior black belts took control: Alan worked with the 1st dans on the kata Kanku Dai; Josh worked with the kyu grades on Bassai Dai and Heian Godan; Steve and Teddie worked with the beginners on Kihon.
The session concluded with concurrent performances of kata. It was particularly pleasing to see all of the black belts able to tackle Kanku Dai. Now of course comes the crucial stage: refinement and development to a high standard!
11 members trained in the session: James Gordon; Luke Cobb; Jonathan Cobb; Becky Cassapi; Steve Cassapi; Jack Robson; Rachel Tyler; Steve Hull; Teddie Henderson; Josh Ludlow; Alan Lea.
SOUTH NOTTS KARATE 