11.12.05 - Saturday Training

New Items Today:

1. Juan from work visited and observed
2. Orange belt ‘pre-test’

Reviewed Other Items:

1. Basic Foot Maneuvers
2. Ball & Roundhouse Kicks
3. Purple Belt Kicking Drill
4. Techniques
5. Orange Belt Form

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Orange Belt Form & “Pre-Test”
Everything we did today was pretty much review. Sifu jumped around a little bit so our visitor, Juan, had an opportunity to see some of the different things we did in class. We explained what we were doing and why it was done a particular way. The Orange belt form was something I did several times today. I was called out on the floor the first time, which is not unusual, and did the form – accepting critique from the Purple belts and Marty. I moved out and the Purple belts did their form. Then I was called back in again. I did it again, with more critique, this time mostly from Sifu, and then stepped back. The Purple belts individually did their forms and then I was called out again. This time, not only to do the Orange belt form, but Bill drilled me on most of the blocks and maneuvers required for the Orange belt test. It was pretty intense at first but I eventually relaxed into it and loosened up. I did okay, but it was clear that I’m not ready to test yet, at least to me.

One of the things I did differently today on Bill’s request was to tuck my hands into my belt and practice the foot movements only for the Orange belt blocking drill. Can you say “awkward”? I don’t know why this was so much more difficult but I actually got lost in the pattern – twice! I definitely need to practice this way at home for a while and get the foot maneuvers down better. Another thing that was a little different this time was what Sifu had me focus on while I was going through the form itself. He told me clearly to visualize my blocks intercepting an attack. In doing so, he said that I did the form the best that he had ever seen me do it. I’ll keep that in mind too. He estimates that I’m over thinking the process and it is affecting the way I move and flow.

Some of the critique I received was good. Marty had told me before to watch the level of my head as I move, that it shouldn’t be bobbing up and down. He wasn’t the only one, but he had given me some ideas to work with on it. He said that I looked good and level going through the form. Walt, Alex and Phyl also gave encouraging feedback, along with the usual pointers. I still have a tendency to drop my chin, as Phyl pointed out. Alex and Walt both mentioned my stance, especially in the first cover. I’m covering way too wide. They had me practicing with tape on the floor one week and I have done this at home too. I’ve improved but still have room to go. I’ll work on it more for next week.