Adult Karate Class Notes 03.22.12

Great group last night. We had Scott, Thomas, Colleen, Simon, the other Simon and Jack Fox. Started off with the ten and then went into basics. We worked on self defense basics (such as rear elbows, knees and high low palm heel strikes). I especially like doing the squat-sidekick drill for leg strengthening. Since it was so hot in the Dojo, we did a lot of stretching. Everybody then partnered up into groups of two and together came up with a freestyle self defense combination using either a body shield or focus pad (or both). I tried to encourage a focus on practicality and footwork (encouraging partners to resist in order to see if the combinations would actually work). After each partner had practiced the combination, they shared them with the rest of the class. I then had the students split up into two groups of three and come up with a self-defense scenario involving multiple attackers. We tried filming them on Colleen's phone, but I'm not sure if it worked (if they did we can post them on the blog). Colleen, Thomas and Scott came up with a great scenario starting with flying elbows from the haymaker, and then the mobility throw on the other attacker who was trying to tackle them. We then partnered back into groups of two and worked the sparring drill trying to maintain the critical distance with one partner leading and the other following. We then did some open hand sparring with light touching to the body. We ended with the front round kick drill that goes back and forth (don't know if it has a name). Stretched for the last few minutes.