Wantage Karate Club

This course was hosted by Sensei Andie Kidd of the Swindon Karate Club (TSKA) at Walcott Community Centre, Swindon on the 9th Oct 2005 and was certainly not for the weak wristed. Various clubs and styles attended the course. The Wantage Contingent was, myself, Tim and Brenda.

The course was over two sessions, the first of which started off with the usual leg kicking and arm flapping to get the bodies muscles loosened and blood flowing with extra time spent loosening the wrists, little knowing what was to follow. This gently moved into practising the Goju Ryu kata, Seienchin, the equivalent of Shotokans Sochin Kata. After going through the kata, with very willing and able partners we covered a number of applications that could be used against the wrist grab.

Now nicely warmed up we continued the partner work, testing our ability to see how flexible each other's wrists and shoulders were and to the delight of onlookers Sensei's Andie Kidd and Brian Turner were used for the demonstrations. The defences were against attacks to the head, from above and around the head and the middle area with each defence needing the coordination of the arms, hips and legs and we all know how easy that is whilst learning new techniques. The techniques mainly comprised of a block, lock and throw. Sensei Cook mentioned that the wristlocks and throws were generally taught in Aikido and Ju-Jitsu training systems.

With the joints well and truly oiled we hit (pun) the pad work. This started off using a body pad with Sensei Cook allowing us to hit this to our hearts content without applying the use of our karate training, a bit like some of us do when we think Sensei isn't looking. Once puffing and panting and now relaxed we went onto hand pads. Using combinations of hand, head and leg techniques the main aim was targeting and movement with pad holder moving towards and from the striker forcing them to adjust their striking distance. The partner with the pads would be pointing out their weak areas where they could be counter attacked. Although very tiring, shorts breaks were sneaked in whilst partners were deciding who was doing what.

The first session ended with a change of direction (Hoko Tenkan) and front leg kicking (Mae Ashi Geri) technique exercise. Confused? No!

At this point a lunch break was taken. So the discussions and debates went on, as much was taught we try and work out which point each individual is going to take away the practise diligently is his or her living rooms. With so much to try and digest the main lesson I myself learnt was when attending a 5 hour course, "TAKE SOMETHING TO EAT", thanks for the sandwich Andie.

The second session began with Shotokan Kata "Chinte", after going through the kata a few times and with the usual discussion on the meaning of the three hops at the end???? �to be continued� We proceeded on with advanced applications of the kata, now we know why we spent time on warming up the wrists. With Andie and Brian kindly volunteering for the demos we learnt of the different , aaaghs!! Ouch's and grunts that be extracted from students. Time was spent on getting the correct angles of the arm and points of contact for the best effect.

Next we went through one of Goju Ryu's breathing kata - Sanchin. Off came the gi tops, to the delight of some. Working our way through the kata using Sanchin Dachi (hour glass stance) and arm techniques using correct inner breathing (IN-IBUKI). Although a short kata this is used as a very usual tool for instructors to see how a student if progressing. As you gain experience the kata becomes more dynamic and grading examiners/instructor test you on your stance stability and ability to absorb PAIN by kick/punching various parts of the body.

The course ended with another training exercise with punching forwards, backwards, changing stance and spinning full circle and just when we thought all was over we went into a variety of press-ups, wide arm, knuckles, legs wide, one arm, legs and arms raised??

Overall all, with plenty of anecdotes from Sensei Cook, had an enjoyable course.

If you wish to know more, attend the next available course.

Leon Brown