The first session kicked off with a kick/punch co-ordination drill. The three beginners then separated from the main group for some focussed practise with Ian Lea, who is back from university for the summer. The rest of the class worked on kihon kata, with the more advanced students practising a variation of the basic form. This version required every gedan barai block to be performed with a step away from the direction of the theoretical attack, as opposed to a step into it (which is the case with the standard form). This is an interesting modification which actually has a sound logical basis if, of course, the gedan barai block is indeed a gedan barai block. If the block is really a strike, then stepping into the theoretical attack is rational. Question: when is a gedan barai block not a gedan barai block? Answer: when it’s a gedan tetsui!
In the 7pm session we worked on the 1st and 2nd dan combinations. Particular emphasis was placed on the use of the hips and torso to generate power behind the kicks and punches. Progress was made; flaws were identified; there is a little homework for some! The rest of the session focussed on kumite. We started off with some timing and reaction work using gyaku tsuki. Conditional sparring followed: gyaku tsuki only for several rounds; just hands for several rounds; everything for several rounds. That was a total of 3 x several rounds! Yes, we had to cut things a little short as we ran out of time!
11 members trained in the 6.15pm session: Izzy Ponsonby; Willy Astley, Thomas Leigh; Joseph Mann; Jason Mann; Archie Beardsley; George Coates; Jonathan Osborne; Paul Osborne; Becky Cassapi; Steve Cassapi.
Assistant instructor Ian Lea
8 members trained in the 7pm session: Becky Cassapi; Steve Cassapi; Oliver Wood; Rachel Tyler; Charlotte Bonardi; Steve Hull; Josh Ludlow; Ian Lea.
SOUTH NOTTS KARATE 