Friday 17 December 2010

Week 32

The pre grading mock.
Martin ran through the components of the grading and gave us some tips to work on.

Firstly we looked at footwork; basic stepping, with punches and the sticking to a partner drill. I still need to get that rear leg working better and more dynamic. Last6 night I recorded a count to 20 so I can play it back and 'explode and drive' on the count. I have tried to count without rhytmn. So tonight and tomorrow I am going to spend some time working on this.

For me (grade 1 exam) much time was spent on lat sau. Making sure all punches go to the chin and there is no predicted pattern or deviation based on my partners arms. Keep it relaxed from hand to shoulder, make it effortless. For me, thinking of punching with the elbows and not the hands helps.

In other news the road up to the 'hall' was an ice hell, fingers are crossed that the predicted snow will not affect the grading this Sunday.

And for H, looking forward to whenever you return.

Friday 10 December 2010

Week 31

After trudging through snow and ice to get to the hall an old style warm up of jogging was required to get us all thawed out. Tonight was drilling basics with the looming gradings in mind.

3 Drill: Working the basic roll with precision and purpose, making every move count. Ensuring the laps take them into their void or pinned to lead leg hip. I was working with Paul who is very strong and found myself getting fatigued quite quickly and thus becoming unable to relax. My backfist felt more like it was going for the target as opposed to stopping at the block.

Footwork, footwork, footwork: Basic arrow step up and down the hall. Ensuring the legs are loaded pre launch. As I type this morning my legs feel heavy and tired after the exertions of last night’s footwork. Note to self is to spend some time over the next 9 days devoting time to getting quality footwork reps in.

Lap/punch: Worked this on the pad. Legs loaded, strong lap into his void, extend the arm on the punch and drive from the elbow. What else?

Prefight: As they walk forward, maintain the fence with a stopping push on the chest. If they walk forward again and contact your fence, drive in with the punch. I was working with Nick for this and quickly discovered that a big is walking forward, for me, the initial stopping technique will be collapsed. Perhaps combing it with a subtle off lining step to maintain the fence. ‘Meeting’ them. After the first fence maintainer, as soon as they move forward then drive in with the punch. When simulated on the partner, you should go armpit deep on him with your punch.

Swing defence: Again I had the painful pleasure of working with Nick. He was defending my punches with his bloody iron forearms. Last night I was happy to focus on committing with forward energy. A confidence gaining exercise for me.

Ended the session with a pyramid set to 9. Tried, through the pain, to focus on my elbows and not the build up of lactic acid.