The 13th February 2000 saw the first of the planned courses for the British Shotokan Kyogi take place in Alsager, Stoke on Trent.

Well attended by students from all over the country the course lasted just under three hours and covered many different aspects of Shotokan Karate.

Instructors on this eagerly awaited course were the cream of the association.  Chief Instructor, Sensei Charles Gidley, 6th Dan was ably assisted by Sensei’s Ian Burndred, 5th Dan, Ian Newsham, 4th Dan and Marc Leacock, 4th Dan.

Kata & Kumite Courses take a very popular format in as much as the class is divided into grades and the instructors rotate between the groups giving a variety of principles for the students to study.
The groups consisted of  Kyu grades, Brown Belts and Black belts and all were treated to the differing instructional approaches.

For the purposes of this report I am going to concentrate on the Black Belt (yudansha) sections of the course.
The yudansha began with Sensei Burndred looking at kihon (basics).  He explained the importance of not becoming too accustomed to the practise of basic combinations done in a prescribed manner, as when taught the original techniques.  So for example age-uki, gyaku-zuki (rising block reverse punch) is usually practised with the block on the same side as the leading leg and the reverse punch becomes the counter on the opposite side.  Although technically the names change when this is reversed the principle of performing the techniques remain the same, so the technique became gyaku age-uke and oi zuki.

This theme continued as we looked at this combination with the remaining basic blocks.
A main feature of this section was the correct use of hips, continuing as the group began to practice kicking techniques.

This combination consisted of kizami mae geri (front snap kick with the leading leg), gyaku zuki then using the hips to thrust back to standing with feet together then performing the same combination with the opposite leg.
This exercise progressed by substituting the second mae geri with yoko geri kekomi (side thrust kick), mawashi geri (roundhouse kick) and ushiro geri (spinning back kick).
A very interesting exercise which saw students keeping the same height and really concentrating on just how important and generic the use of hips are in Shotokan and of course, all styles of karate.

This concluded the first section of the course.

We were next taken through Tekki Nidan by Sensei Leacock.  After looking at the direction of the kata to refresh  a few memories we studied some of its extremely practical bunkai (application).  Surprising more than a few of the group!!

The hip twist principle studied earlier was carried forward to this session of the course, with its importance being emphasised for both effectiveness and the knock on aesthetics for competition kata.

To continue the theme the group practised hashi ippon kumite (8 attacks) with a set gyaku zuki counter.  This is an exercise which requires effective mai (distance) and timing to adequately complete the exercise.  It certainly puts you on your toes and gives you an incentive to move fast, especially with Sensei Leacock a successful International fighter, baring down on you!!  But again if you do not use your hips effectively it leaves you in no mans land, open to the attacks and in an impossible position to counter.

Sensei Gidley took the final section bringing the course to a close with a more in-depth look at the techniques of Tekki Nidan.  Sensei has produced many top international competitors over the years and continues to do so now.  He has an eye for technique and this was illustrated when studying the enbusen (performance line) of the kata.  Its very interesting to listen to some of the reasons which take the kata off the line and concentrates on how one is to properly perform the kata.

The session was brought to a close with thanks from the various groups of students to each of the instructors on the course.
This was an extremely informative course and well attended by association members.  Its good to be able to meet up with old friends from across the country and of course meet new friends for the future, after all that’s one of the great things about this game we are in!   Finally on behalf of the BSK, congratulations to those students achieving their dan grades.

For further information on association courses or for an Instructors Pack please contact the BSK at 36 Heald Lane, WEIR, Rossendale, OL13 8PN or look at our web site at   www.bsk.cwc.net  (please see advert in the Clubs Directory for further information)