Spring School 2005

Course Title: Adult National Course
Course Date(s): 18/03/05– 20/03/05
Venue: Invrclyde National Training Centre
Reports: We have two course reports, one from Steven Sheldon (3rd Dan) and the other from Christine Carmichael and Steven Young (new 4th Kyu Grades!) below.

Course Reporter: Steven Sheldon, 3th dan Blackbelt from EK Red Dragons

The weekend was a great success, thanks to Billy. The practices were well structured, enabling all who attended the chance to train and learn a variety of new ideas and techniques. The main focus of the course for me was kata, this took the form of Unsu which was taught to the black belts by Richard (some applications were discussed and tested). The other interesting kata shown this time by Hugh to the black belt group was based on groundwork, which was new to most of us, including myself.

 The kyu grades spent most of the weekend training some of the lower katas and their applications. During later conversations with a few individuals I felt they enjoyed the practice, due to their enthuiastic comments. The run up the hill, was the highlight of Saturday afternoon (reminding me of a mellow Iron Maiden track), as we all had to make our way up that lovely (yeah right!!) hill behind the centre and having met the senior grades at various points we then practiced sparring and kata on mother earth, in the mist..ceratinly different from a wooden floor or mat!!

Saturday night the focus was on kicking, from single kicks to multiple kicking techniques...this was taught by all the senior grade instructors, who rotated between the different groups, allowing each group to practice with the various instuctors and differing styles of teaching.

Sunday was grading day and there was a number of kyu grades being assessed for their next belt, as well as a handful of students sitting various levels of Dan grades. The grading which impressed me most, was Dave McDicken's as he was going for his 5th Dan and I feel priviledged to have partaken in his grading as well as all the other gradings.

My congratulations go out to all students who deservedly passed their gradings. A special award was given to Billy Haggerty by the other 5th Dans in which they bestowed upon him the grade of fourth Meijin.

As good as the whole course was, i thought the groundwork form was particularly interesting as i not only learned the techniques but actually put them to the test with a partner and furthermore it sparked an idea or two which i intend to try and develop at club level. The concept of a kata requiring two people is not new but most refreshing nonetheless.

In conclusion this was a excellent course which was overseen by Billy Haggerty where learning and training were a plenty. With the senior grades we have heading the organisation, the knowledge they hold and with their tireless efforts , our martial arts, Shotobudo can only go from strength to strength.

Course Reporters: Christine Carmichael and Stephen Young from Kaizen

The course was most enjoyable and very instructive as usual. The main focus of the course was about improving stance and positioning and realising through the various practices how important grounding is to our martial art.

Saturday morning was spent practicing Heian Nidan kata and it’s applications with Keith.

Saturday afternoon was all about “Running up that hill”, although we saw no sign of Kate Bush. What we did see was great team spirit. Everyone was pulling together and encouraging each other to make it to the top. Since no-one was wearing a gi or rank belt you did not know if your team mate/opponent was a 4 th dan or a 4 th kyu; you had no fear and just got mucked in, muck being the operative word. At each staging post on the way up the hill we received instruction on various techniques from the 5 th dans- including defending against knife attacks, takedowns and sparring on rough uneven ground. No soft mat here, this was more realistic. Then at the top we all performed kata, again on rough uneven ground where proper stance was vital. Once back in the training hall we practiced the techniques learned on the hill.

Later sessions found us practicing combination kicks, learning about balance while performing the kick. We also practiced keeping an attacker at bay using our feet and legs and how even when on the ground we can perform takedowns.

Sunday morning was the grading. What can we say; it was rough.

The most enjoyable aspect of the practice in our opinion was coming back down the hill (only joking)! It was in fact doing kata blindfolded with the group led my Laura. We alsopractices kata whilst fellow kyu grades restrained us using our belts and with others pushing and pulling at us. Contrary to what it sounds like, it was very peaceful and insightful. The entire group agreed that we felt very grounded and conscious of placing our feet rathen than letting them fall. it ended with a very much needed stretching warm-down as by that time the hill was fighting back.

Special mention should go to Jessie who reached 2 nd kyu at the age of 68. Congratulations to everyone who graded.

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