Wantage Karate Club

Matt Price course, 20th October 2007 Print E-mail
Matt Price is a 5th Dan Sensei based at Harrogate S.K.C. At the invitation of Ben Richardson from CanDo Martial Arts, Sensei Matt gave a three hours course at the Abingdon leisure centre focusing on kata and kumite. The course was attended by Sensei Paul, Brenda and Steve. Below is a summary of the highlights and main points made by Sensei Matt Price.

Importance of Yoi

Yoi(ready) is regarded as the first move of the kata and can grab the examiners/judges attention by showing that this is going to be a well performed kata. Bow from the hips and don't allow your arms to slide down your legs when bowing, i.e. bend from your elbows. Also, a good karate ka will instinctively know that their feet are parallel, facing forward.

Heian Nidan:

  • 1st move: don't move hands backwards. The hands stay in the same positions and only look if they are moving backwards as the body moves forward, keep hands in same location as for yoi. The same applies when turning the other way to repeat these moves
  • Move 7: fast yoko geri, short pause, take a look and then shuto-uke Always have faster hands on shuto-uke to act as cover guard. Your legs will carry you into trouble, and you need your hands to provide cover
  • Move 12: Turning from zenkutsu dache nukite strike it is important to keep your back up-right, keep your hands close in for a faster turn and don't stick your bottom out as this will unbalance you.
  • Move 14: Similar to move 12 but more difficult as it is a 135 degree turn. Turn with your back up-right to face direction of block and then execute shuto uke.
  • Move 21: For morote uki prepare hands to the side before executing. Final comment: it is important to look sharp/aggressive even when coming back to yoi in order to impress judge/examiner.

    Heian Godan:

    1st move: smooth, flowing preparation for uchi uke followed by gyaku zuki

  • Move 13: Different move from usually technique. Sensei Matt showed that there was no need to lift leg when turning into kiba dache gedan barai.
  • Move 15: When implementing foot strike hold hips back to the last moment before turning in. Also, and use hand to hit foot, to add power to the strike
  • Move 19: To gain height with jump swing arms low, drop weight slightly to lower your centre of gravity and load right leg. Jump for height not distance
  • Move 20: Keep arms in line with body(do not move arms backwards) when moving into morote uki
  • Move 21: Smooth preparation for strike and block
  • Move 22: Draw back foot very lightly kissing the floor Move 23: Turn prepare then repeat

    Tekki Shodan:

  • Described as a power kata
  • Important to keep good, strong, low kiba dachi stance throughout. Don't lower stance at slow parts of the kata as this suggests that you could have performed the whole kata with a lower stance.
  • Move 5:Treat gedan bari as a strike.
  • Move 7: Move smoothly and keep low. Look forward then fast kick/block
  • Move 11: Delay twist on block, look first.

    Gankaku:

  • Move 25: Lift foot directly to preparation position,i.e. not back and then up.
  • Move 40: Spin smoothly 180 degrees (no hopping round). Practice on different types of floor as the move feels different with each type of flooring.

    Kumite:

    All Partner work . Speed training using fast gyaku zuki Awareness training: Opponent attacks kizami zuki. Focus on watching opponents punch all the way to target. Get used to not flinching and keeping your eyes open. Counter attacking/distance training: Evade kizami zuki and counter gyaku zuki Deception: Provide obvious target to opponent e.g. hold leading hand straight out to show a target then shut down when they attack. Hide attack: Lower hand out of peripheral vision of opponent but Must keep head guarded by other hand . Attack uraken uchi with hidden hand

    Steve Reynolds

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