Some new Karate stuff – 6/18/09 – Thursday Karate class
Since testing is all done, Sensei Cieplik shared some new Karate “stuff” with us.
Basic thinking movements…
We started with reverse punch, front leg front snap kick and then jab. From a stationary front stance we did a reverse punch, from there we did a front leg front snap kick and as we set out foot down after the kick, we threw a jab.
Next, we did front snap kick to the front and side thrust kick to the front but Sensei had us move in such a way to create a block with our kicking leg between the front snap kick and side thrust kick. This keeps me from dropping my knee between the kicks.
Next came shift jab, shift jab, shift angle to the side with reverse punch, then shift forward with a backfist. This a more of a kumite drill than a self defense drill in my opinion but effective none the less. The key is to prepare for the backfist right after the reverse punch. Instead of pulling my draw hand to me side during the reverse punch, I kept it in front of my stomach as a blocking move. From that point, that hand could just fly into the backfist as I shifted forward.
Next came stationary jab, then reverse punch followed with a rear leg front snap kick.
Get a partner and a pad…
Sensei had us get a partner and a pad for some hitting. We started with a simple drill where we jabbed to pad to stop out partner as soon as they moved in to attack. This was a timing drill to help us learn when our partner was going to move before they moved.
Next came elbow strikes to the pad. Sensei told me to hit the pad on a downward angle with my elbow to “dig in” so to speak. This feels like a really strong movement.
Kata is always fun to me….
We finished up class doing kata from Heian Shodan all the way to Kanku Dai.
The results are in, Karate exam results that is – 6/17/09
Testing has come to and end and I am satisfied with the results.
My wife was the first to test and she did an excellent job. She cleared her keri and is now a full 1st kyu. My son also did an awesome job by getting four stripes and is now a 1st kyu also. I am also happy with my own results, I am now a 1st kyu keri.
I went into the this test with a different attitude then ever before. I was visiting Doc Pusateri a couple days before my test and he told me to “just go there and instead of trying to impress the examiners, just show them what your Sensei’s have shared with you.” That is exactly what I did and even though I had a lot of injuries and mental baggage going into this test, I was able to come out ahead. For the first time, I had the attitude that I am here to take my rank not ask for it and my family and friends who saw me at the test said that I did just that.
I am satisfied and hopefully over the next six to 12 months my wife, son and I will be ready to wear black belts around our waists.
Even after five years, I am still unsure about the criteria used for rank examinations. I am finding that ability to perform the techniques precisely seems to be more important than effort or knowledge of the techniques and Karate in general. Either way, I am glad it is over and am already working on many of the technique issues that I need to improve on over the next six months.
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