Course Report - March 2003

- Saturday 16^th -

Session 1

Today is specifically for the junior high grades (green belt and above).

The whole group performed kata without the hand movements to get their body's moving more. This eventually moved on to actually throwing the body into the movement. This seemed to improve the kata when the hand movements were returned, but Hugh and Sanny weren't happy with some of the stances, in particular Kokutsu Dachi. Up to the break they had the group paired off and practicing going in and out of Kokutsu trying to get the correct feet position, hip movement etc.

Session 2

Again, after the break the full group performed kata to pull them together again. After a while, when Hugh and Sanny were happy with what they were seeing, they were paired off and tried Sanbon Kimite using the start of the kata as the start of the three attacks.

This eventually moved into circular sanbon where the attacks come from different angles instead of a straight line.

The next bit of the practice was new to this group although adults have practiced it before. They were split into two groups again with one person in the middle and the rest around them in a circle. The rule is "if you face someone, they attack you". The point of all this is evasion from multiple attacks. When done properly this looks effortless.

Finally, as a form of cool-down, the full group performed kata again.

- Sunday 17^th -

Session 1

After a short warm-up courtesy of 2nd Dan Jim Brady, the group was split into three ( two white/red belt groups and one yellow and above).

All performed kata relevant to their particular grade with the junior brown and black belts at the front and back, and the adult high grades going round correcting. This continued until the first break.

Session 2

This session started with another warm-up followed by kata in one group. After Hugh and Sanny were happy with the performance of the kata they were again split into their original groups and performed Sanbon Kimite and kata. During this time Hugh and Sanny were going to each group and calling out groups of people to assess them formally.

Session 3

After this break it was back to the three groups performing Sanbon Kimite. Eventually they were pulled into two lines and performed Sanbon with a variety of partners of different grades. Just to lighten the end of the course before the gradings were read out they had some fun kimite. Two volunteers at a time would go to the middle of the hall under the ever watchful eve of Hugh and could "fight it out". The only rule was that they both stayed behind a line to ensure there was never any contact.

Anyone coming too close to the line was sent off by Hugh.

Finally the full group again performed kata before stopping and hearing the grades read out.