Multiple punches, blocks and kicks opened the session for the black belts; grade specific combinations were practised by the kyu grades and novices.
We then turned our attention to partnerwork. The novices drilled the front kick to two counts: kick and step back, then kick and step forward. Simultaneously the higher grades worked on the four basic kicks. Specific coaching points were identified for each kick:
Maegeri – hip drive;
Yoko geri kikome – full rotation of the supporting leg to facilitate hip commitment;
Maewashi geri – control of the kicking knee to facilitate good delivery and recovery of the technique;
Ushirogeri – arguably the most difficult kick to perfect because it combines rotation and thrust, not just rotation – so we worked on the correct blend of these two aspects.
The kicking practise fed into the kumite. We began with ippon kumite using three kicks: maegeri, kikome and maewashi geri. Coloured belts often have difficulty defending the left kikome; they might step the ‘wrong’ way or use an ineffective block. Sometimes it can be a total mess – but not today. Becky and Bob were on good form; they moved correctly, found sensible angles, blocked cleanly, and delivered effective counters. The brown and black belts moved on to jiyu ippon kumite. Again kicks only, but all four. The defender was at liberty to move freely, and block & counter using any method.
At 11.00am, or thereabouts, the team of black belts gave focussed guidance to sub-groups of lower grades on their grading katas. The whole class then reformed to perform them in earnest!
14 members trained in the session: Sam; Alex; James Gordon; Luke Cobb; Jonathan Cobb; George Coates; Becky Cassapi; Bob Dainty; Steve Cassapi; Gregory Mills; Anthony Mills; Tom Ludlow; Teddie Henderson; Alan Lea.
SOUTH NOTTS KARATE 