Well I’m starting day three after being dumped on my head. Things seem to be slowly getting better. The goose egg is gone, I have a sore spot under my hair, and still get the occasional headache.
I went to practice last night but I talked to my instructor and told her I need to be on light duty. Definitely no sparring or crazy jumping. Aside from a traditional warm-up and fundamentals we taught some new one-steps and self-defense. Then we gave a long over due lecture on control. We gave it before early on when everyone was new. However they all have some rank now so their confidence is growing and probably have forgotten.
We used one of our higher one-steps to illustrate. In this one the attacker comes at the defender with a series of round kicks. On the last series of blocks the defender hooks and traps the attacker’s kicking leg. At this point defender executes an elbow break to the knee, then assists in attacker’s front roll. This is the first example of control because attacker could not realistically roll without defender’s assistance. Attacker springs back with jump round which defender again hooks and catches. This time defender sweeps, plants, and keeps attacker’s leg locked and trapped while punching the face or groin.
Part two of the sequence was really good for what we mean by control on a wooden floor. Where I really to sweep attacker I could slam them into the floor. For sure I could stun them and if done right I probably could make sure they hit their head. Granted, in a real self-defense situation I say go for it. But not at practice. So, on the take-down we grab attacker’s lapel and ease them down from the sweep, then finish with the punch.
After our demo. we made everyone work on their low one-steps and self-defense and had them emphasize control. We also let them try part of the sequence we demonstrated. Part to show them something new and also part to give them another reason to roll (a few still need work on rolling).
We closed with rip cord leg exercises and stretching. All-in-all a good practice.
Funny thing but despite being on light duty about half way through I had a splitting headache. So, I plan to do very little this weekend. I need the ol’ brain pan to heal.
Sounds like a tournament in April and it’s looking like we will go. I’m planning on breaking and weapons. On breaks I’m working on a jump turning inside crescent kick–probably one board because this one is all about accuracy. For power I’m thinking four solid on a hammer fist. Then I may try to wow them with my toss the board in the air and break with the same hand trick. I can do it but usually after three or four tries. So, I need to practice enough to get that down to one or two tries.
The nunchuka kata I have down. Right now, after the head heals, I need to just polish it.
Then in May I can officially get my cho dan confirmed and retire to the Old Martial Artists’ Retirement Center.
I can’t wait for my Cream of Wheat and Wednesday night bingo.
~BCP
