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Recent High Grade Practice

This short article is a reminder of recent sessions that I taught on the High Grade course at the beginning of November and then on the General course later in the month for continuing development for those who took part.

Picking up elements gained earlier in the year from visiting Russek Sensei to Trafford club, regarding how practice can be categorised into two elements of intensity (also known as power) and speed. I didn't want people going full out but more of what we liken as Kokyu level to create a learning environment.

From a coaching point of view I wanted to progressively teach which meant breaking down into elements rather than just going to the end objection of "movement" within the context of freestyle.

We first looked at the quality of techniques that people from different Dojo's were doing generally by practising in pairs (Shomen uchi defences) and seeing what could be learnt by comparing.

We then we looked at reducing time to do a technique by identifying those that could be shortened. This time practicing in groups of three. The style of practice was dictated again for the learning environment where the attack was only going to be made immediately after the previous technique was completed with light intensity and moderate speed.

Multiple attacks create pressure and how well you deal with them is key. If your movement diminishes attacks get stacked up as attackers close the space / distance down. The purpose of shortening techniques is to create more time so other attacks that are incoming can be dealt with.

Continuing the progression the size of the group was increased to 4 with the premise of an attack when an opportunity presented itself linked back to the prowl and kill distance. (Still based on Shomen uchi attack)

Prowling lions is technique analogy to introduce more variability into defence responses by introducing variability of attack regarding who is attacking and from where. I encouraged when a Uke was being thrown they take ukemi by rolling up and then not standing still, hence prowling.

That led on to the next practice with a group of four with each attacker being assigned to Shomen uchi, Yokomen uchi or Tsuki. This was to introduce variability into moving with multiple attackers.

 

 

The next progression was just freestyle with no restrictions. Hopefully with the practices undertaken led to participants gaining confidence and blowing the dust away.

On the General course with it's theme "Movement" was the opportunity to explore "moving forward" with practice in a large groups. It is said that one doesn't retreat when doing Aikido or indeed when doing any form of fighting. If one moves forward it's a bit like being on the bow of a ship there are less people likely to attack i.e. minimising. Whereas if you are retreating you attract more people in a bit like water going down the plug hole.

Then participants looked at how to create space within one's movement in freestyle by extending one's arms to create a gap / space this was explored through the use of Yokomen uchi and Ryote dori.

Finally, we dealt with spatial awareness. This where you use your eyes, feeling and planning strategically about threats and distances to move in order to minimise attacks and work the space through movement.

Then ultimately practice within a large group where each person was given for a whole minute. This is an opportunity for high grade practise that doesn't present itself in clubs very often.


Andrew Baird

 

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