Karate exam – 12/14/08
Today was exam day for both my wife and I.
We got the exam very early so that we would have time to warm up and work relax. We did some basics, all of the kata’s from Heian Shodan to Bassai Dai and one-step.
The test started about an hour late but it moved really fast. There was little or no rest between the eight or ten different movements and combination’s. I felt pretty good up until about the second from the last movement where I was running on almost no oxygen. I was able to push through and finish all of them with was I thought was good power and a lot of spirit.
Next came the Japanese test. Sensei said a movement in Japanese and we had to do it. I had kizame zuki (jab) and uchi uke (outward block). Some of you might think that uchi uke is inward block but in our club, it is outward block.
We went out for kata next and my Bassai Dai felt really good. I did the kata in my own world and didn’t notice anyone around me. I had good focus and I my moves felt automatic.
We finished up the test with one-step sparring. The same four moves that we often do in class. Front punch to head and stomach along with front snap kick and side thrust kick.
After that, we had the control test. I had a lot of power but because of my hips, I was unable to push off my back leg and Sensei DiPasquale gave a me lesson on how my hips and back should engage. Up until that point, I felt that I did really well but I am not sure what will come from my control test issues.
Special visitor – 12/13/08 – Saturday Karate class
My wife and I hadn’t planned on taking class today because of our upcoming exam tomorrow but we had a special visitor, Dr. Kathy Bailey. With her being there, there was no way that we could sit out.
Our special guest…
Sensei Bailey is very high ranking Karate referee, a very successful doctor, a Sandan in our Karate club and a great person to train with or under. Having her in class today brought up the entire level of spirit that I have not seen in some time.
Pop quiz…
Sensei Gatch had a great idea. He brought many pens and a bunch of paper and gave one to each of us. He then said various punches, blocks, kicks and stances in English and told us to write them down. He also asked a few questions and said that our homework is to research all of these moves and questions.
Basics….
Sensei Gatch started class out with some simple kihon. He had us step forward and back across the gym doing front punch. I really like this movement, especially when moving backward. It feels just right. Sensei told me to take it easy because of my test but that is just one thing I cannot do in any class.
We did a few more basics and then moved on.
Hit the pad…
Sensei Gatch had us hit the pad. Now that I think of it, he had me hold the pad and let everyone else hit the pad. I don’t think I even hit the pad once. I always like holding the pad to see how hard some of my fellow students can punch. It gives me a good idea of how hard of a punch I can take the abdominals if the pad wasn’t there.
Control…
We spent the rest of the class working on the control test. We had a coupe of Sensei’s hold a pen and we had to punch at it with full power but extremely accurate control. They would then move the pen and we had change target while keeping the same power and contral as when it was stationary.
It was a great class and I hope that Dr. Bailey visits us more often.
Follow me!
