09.29.07 - Saturday Practice

Reviewed Other Items:

1. Drills: Focus Mit
2. Mat Work
3. Techniques

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Warm Ups
I was only observing today as my knees were screwed up again. They have been aching for several weeks now as they do every so often. I haven’t been giving them the time they need to get back to health and I’m paying the price. As a result, I’m sitting out today but I am here observing and taking notes.

Walt started the class out by beginning the warm-ups. He had everyone stretching and moving to get warmed up, including arms, torso, and legs. Sifu took back over and had everyone doing deep leg stretches. He then moved into ball kicks, roundhouse kicks, and back kicks.

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Drills: Focus Mit
The drills today started with just a single straight lunge punch and back. Sifu had everyone focus on form before power but commented that power will come through proper form. There was another new student in class today and as Sifu focused some time with him the rest of the class moved on to 3 and 4 hit combinations of their own individual choice.

I was interested to see the combinations that everyone chose. It was clear that some focused on speed, while others focused on power, and at least one person was maintaining a rhythm with the strikes. Regardless of what they chose for combinations, they were all focusing on accuracy in the strike.

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Mat Work
The class first started the mat work by practicing forward rolls staying down. There is a usual progression when we practice with the mats and today was no different. Next was forward rolls coming up to fighting stance (neutral bow), then air rolls for those that know how and were able to do them. There is one other item that Sifu has added recently that looks as though it may become part of our usual work out and that is the belt roll. This is essentially just a forward roll starting with your hands tucked in your belt and not used until after you are into the roll. It’s an interesting one as you have this weird feeling that you are going to do a face plant if you don’t get your hands out in front of you as you are going into the roll. In reality you are only going to do a face plant if you don’t tuck your head! While the class was practicing, Sifu mentioned something I took note of pertaining to air rolls: He said to stay tucked and don’t reach.

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Techniques
While Sifu worked with the White belts and those new to the class, The Green belts took turns with Alfredo and worked their own material with each other. Walt worked with Alfredo first and went over Captured Wing. They worked for some time with it and then Walt joined Phyl while Alex came over to work with Alfredo. Alex went over Clapping Tiger and Raking Hammer. I recalled applying the throw in Clapping Tiger when I was learning it for the first time. As I watched them work through some of the finer points it was interesting to see how each correction brought the throw in tighter and tighter. Ultimately he got it down and appeared to be comfortable with it. Toward the end of class, Sifu came around and took a look at the technique. He made note that it was originally taught as a side throw in the I.K.C.A. but he modified it to a full overhead throw for its effectiveness.

The class wrapped up and everyone lined up to bow out. Sifu reminded everyone that classes will be extended to two evenings during the week starting Wednesday, October 3rd at the Rejoice! Academy near Red Sun. I don’t know about the other guys but I’m looking forward to training during the week. With that, the class bowed out and was dismissed.