Sorry I didn’t get a chance to update this for a few days. I was in Miami for the weekend.

In either case we worked on kicks today. We went over quite a bit of your kicks in addition to learning 2 new kicks.

We learned the Axe Kick that comes up high over the oppenents shoulder and down hitting with the heel. Usually striking the collar bone.

We also learned the outside-to-inside crescent kick. Which is effective for hitting away weapons, strikes, and so on.

Another thing we went over was the difference between thrust and snap kick. Remember - A thrust kick is extended all the way through where as a snap kick is pulled back and is extended usually 70-80 percent of the way.

At the end we played Red-Rover kicking game. Where you had one foot on the tape and each person has to go over from the other team to try and THRUST through the bag and get your foot off the tape.

Advanced:

Thanks Mr. Frank for visiting us and for your input.

We worked on self defense techniques with knife strikes a majority of the time. Using pencils and pens as substitutes and went over the rules of a weapon.

Beginner:

Today we worked on some punches with partners facing each other mirror side. This got you to make sure you were doing them correctly punching to the same level, in the correct location, and the proper side. We also worked on some basic self defense and reaction drills. The quicker you react after being attacked the better chance you have to get away. Remember- when being attacked always scream FIRE! instead of help. It makes people look around, be aware of your surroundings and the chances of them helping you are far greater.

Advanced:

Oh boy, some of you were hurting. We worked on splits and the legs today right after we got done doing about 7 rounds of sparring. Working on your fighting techniques is essential, but remember that the basics matter much more. If your fundamentals are off, your whole fighting and sparring is off. Work hard and you will bridge the gaps between your techniques.

We also went over a little work sheet, so review that if you had trouble focusing during the stretching.

Finally we did ippons, kihons, and teuzus backwards.

Beginners:

Congratulations to those who recieved testing letters. Tests are used to watch you closely and evaluate your progression in the class. After each test you will receive a feedback form as well on things that you can improve on. Its a time for the instructors to nit pick you and for you to do your best. Remember to breath, work hard, practice extra because you are in the spot-light. You HAVE TO WANT IT. No one in our class is GIVEN belts. You EARN THEM

We worked on countering your partner with moving your feet in circular directions instead of forward or backwards. We layed down hulla-hoops and you had to side step around the hoop. When called upon you threw a jab to the inside of the stomach.

Afterwards we worked on situation / senerio self defense things. Such as what to do if you are approached in class or school and what you should do. Or what happens if someone comes by driving next to you when your walking home.

Remember to create a non-threating position where you are always protected. When attacked at a store its best to scream “FIRE” instead of “HELP” because “help” can make people scared and run away, where as “fire” makes people look around and figure out where the best exit is (hopefully then they will see you and help you). Also knock things off the shelf’s if you are grabbed.

If your ever in a bad situation and need help first try and tell a 1) teacher or 2) parent and the last thing is to do what you have to do. It does not mean you have to fight. Try to resolve situations without fighting when possible.

Dont forget: Karate Ne-Sente Nashi (there is no first attack in karate).

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Advanced:

We started to get more into sparring this evening. Please be prepared to spar at least as a warm up from now on at least for the next few weeks. We might have a few stations or things you can do if you dont want to spar such as working with weapons or things of that sort.

We started working on left sided ippons / kihons and teuzus and nit-picked the kata’s.

Instead of doing our 2 minute rounds we did 58 card (or now maybe 57 I think) pick up and go. (Run from half the room, grab a card - run back to where you started. Do the # (number) of situps, push-ups, jumping-jacks, and so on that it says on the card and keep going until we ran out of cards.

At the end we concluded with some hand drills.

If someone attacks you a lot of people freeze up and get scared. You, as karatika students, will learn to be better than that. The moment someone tries to grab you whether its at a store, gas station, after school, or anywhere its best to yell “FIRE” instead of “Help” Why is that?

The reason its better to yell “FIRE” is because with a “FIRE” most people look around and try to figure out where the fire is so they could leave or do what needs to be done. When you yell “HELP” most people will get scared themselves and run away.

So if you get attacked its best to yell “FIRE” because the chances that someone will look around for where the fire is and notice you is much higher. This way they might be able to help you or get someone that will.

In addition, if you are at a store, or can grab on to objects near by wherever it is, try and knock things down like books, cans of soup, juices, and so forth if you are being grabbed. This helps increase the noise and draw more attention to your situation. Until next time, stay safe and practice.

Beginners

Today we started with a quick review doing kicks, punches, and blocks.

Afterwards, we got into some basic self defense techniques. Including defense from a simple wrist grab.

Wrist Grab defense: turn your grabbed hand into a fist. Turn the hand palm up facing you. Grab your attacked hand with the other hand and step and pull back towards you.

Choke hold: Throw your hands up in the air above their elbows, step back, twist and turn away from them

Choke hold: Push in the adams apple with your two fingers twist and turn.

Bear hug: Stomp the foot, pinch, and knee to the groin and palm heel strike to the face.

We ended it with ippon #1 and ippon #2. Read a couple postings below to see the steps for ippon #1.
Remember that ippon #2 has a hammer fist instead of a shuto (knife strike). Thats the only difference.
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Advanced

Today we had a small class but you guys learned a lot and im proud of how fast you improved over the last 2 weeks with your kicks. If you missed class, sorry it was an amazing class with plenty to learn.

We went over some some knee strikes including sideways and front ways driving upwards toward your oppenent to help with your kicks. Also we worked on rechambering your kick and executing a “hard” driven kick first AND SECOND KICK without dropping your chamber, knee, or foot by rechambering it a few inches behind your original chamber after you executed your first kick. This is tricky, so if you have time practice it.

Another drill we worked on was using the elbows on the bags going side ways and diagonal. The thing we focused on was using your body to pivot into the move and elbow and getting your power from behind in the twist. This led us to do a mini drill on pivoting and timing for 5 minutes among the kiba, front stance, and 45.

Finally we combined the kicks, knees, and elbows in a final walking drill. Kick through step down and drive the elbow to the other opponent on the right or left side depending on which foot you land with. Good job everyone!