Special Dan Course + Grading Report Egham sports centre 07/10/06

The Special Black Belt Training

A Special Black belt course took place at Egham Leisure Centre on 07/10/2006. The course was well attended by many black belts, coming from all over the country to be trained by Sensei Andy Sherry, 8th Dan, and Chief Instructor of the Karate Union of Great Britain. Other instructors present were Charles Naylor 7th Dan and ex-World, European and National Champion Frank Brennan, 6th Dan.

The course itself was fantastic. The class started with a classic Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki combination. This started slow, and then built up to full speed full power. By slowing the moves down you were able to try and correct bad habits. This exercise is very difficult to execute correctly, stature, correct head position, breathing, hip twist, keeping the front knee still�so many things to think about�.and to execute them all with spit second timing.

We continued to work on punching techniques, working on executing consecutive punches moving forward. We then partnered up working on these techniques. The importance of driving the back leg was emphasised. Half step Gyaku Zuki was focused on in this section, as this move is used in a lot of Jiyu Kumite, and Jiyu Ippon Kumite.

Next Sensei had us going through a few combinations, involving kicks and following up with punches. We started working on Mawashi Geri, followed by Ushiro Geri. Again the kicks were broken down, to make sure you maintain correct foot position when making contact with your opponent.

The class then separated in to 1st and 2nd Dans in one half, and 3rd Dan and above in the second half of the hall. Sensei Sherry instructed the five 2nd Dan Kata, Jitte, Nijushiho, Kankusho, Bassai sho, and Tekki Nidan one by one to the 1st Dan and 2nd Dans. The 3rd Dans and above practiced all the 3rd Dan syllabus Kata, Sochin, Gankaku, Gojushiho sho, Chinte, and Unsu. Each Kata was broken down to one move one count. After Sensei had gone through each Kata to counts twice we executed the Kata full speed full power in our own time. This part of the session was a great chance to learn moves to Kata, and pick up any changes that have been made to each Kata. I thoroughly enjoyed this part of the class, I was very fortunate to be training next to Sensei Naylor, who corrected me on a few techniques, and outlined correct posture. Sensei Sherry also took the time to explain techniques, and correct some of my moves.

To finish the session every one partnered up to work on Jiyu Ippon Kumite, or Kaeshu Ippon Kumite. This is where one partner throws an attack, and the opponent blocks the attack and counters.

The Grading

Following the course was a grading for people grading 3rd Dan and above. These gradings usually only take place twice a year, as there are not usually a high number of people taking them.

At the start of the grading everyone not attempting their 3rd Dan was asked to leave the room. This is normal behaviour, not even a Club Sensei is allowed to watch their student grade. A Dan grading installs many things in you, and it is difficult to explain the feeling. You feel a mixture of excitement, adrenaline, and fear. The fear is exceptionally essential, as it keeps you on your toes, and makes you constantly aware. I was called up in the first line.

The first part of the grading consisted of Kihon techniques (Basic techniques, but they are by no means basic to any Karateka). After finishing the Kihon section we executed the 3rd Dan combination, this is a multitude of different moves added together. We then lined up in front of the Sensei�s to perform a number of kicking techniques to demonstrate balance, and posture. After this we performed our Kata of choice. I chose to perform Sochin Kata.

Following the Kata display came the Kumite, the most fearsome part of any grading. Each person in the line turned to face the person next to them, who they would now be fighting.

We started by doing Kaeshu Ippon Kumite. This is one of the exercises we performed in the Special Dan course. After the Kaeshu Ippon Kumite was Jiyu Kumite (Free fighting). I was paired with a guy of similar age, similar height and build, who was exceptionally good at Kumite, and a very difficult opponent to fight. We both gave our fare share of techniques. The aim of fighting at a grading is to demonstrate your karate techniques, rather than trying to win the fight with the same techniques. I threw many different techniques, rolling punches, kick + punch combinations. After fighting we returned to the line, having both given a good fight.

When the remainder of the people taking their 3rd Dan grading had done their Kihon, Kata and Kumite we waited to see who would be selected to perform a Kata chosen by the Sensei. If you are not called at this point, you have failed.

Thankfully I was called to perform the last Kata. Sensei Sherry chose Jitte for me to perform, a Kata which is used to defend against a Bo (wooden staff). After performing the Kata we all gathered at the table to find out the result of the grading. I passed Sandan, 3rd Dan. The news was one of great pleasure, and relief, as I had been training for more than a year in preparation for the grading.

The training session was amongst one of the best I have attended. If you get the chance to go to one of these sessions you need to grab it, it is a great experience, and good fun.

Yours in Budo

Sensei Chris Hoyes