The first session focussed on basics. We went through the kihon and kumite required for coloured belt grading. The junior white belts are worthy of note as they have improved enormously over a relatvely short period of time and may be ready to grade on the 27th. Whilst the lower grades practised gohon kumite, the brown belts considered ippon kumite – with a slight twist. They had to deliver multiple random counter attacks but with one compulsory technique. For example: “any five counters, but including one elbow strike”.
Six black belts trained in the second session. They worked very hard. We worked on punching and kicking combinations which we took into jiyu kumite. Themes considered during the session included: modified footwork to improve explosiveness; and modified attitude to improve explosiveness! In the latter regard we worked on the use of kiai and other vocalisations (mainly grunts and growls!) in order to more readily tap into a fighting mindset.
12 members trained in the first session: Willy Astleigh; Thomas; Archie Beardsley; George Coates; Jonathan Osborne; Frank Dennis; Becky Cassapi; Jamie Cassapi; Steve Cassapi; Gregory Mills; Anthony Mills; Darren Cockburn.
6 members trained in the 7pm session: Rachel Tyler; Gobe Hobona; Rory Cave; Rosemary Hall; Arthur Hall; Ian Lea.
SOUTH NOTTS KARATE 