Report on the Bundaberg and Miriam Vale/Agnes Water Master Class.

Report on the Bundaberg and Miriam Vale/Agnes Water Master Class.

Well what a perfect start to the weekend. Woke up to find it was not raining, there was a gentle breeze and pleasant conditions for a change. The day started with Master Daher arriving at the airport not knowing if he was being picked up (in his words) “a truck or a tractor”… Sorry Sir the John Deere was in for a service.

For some students it was their first taste of tournament sparing.

Master Daher outlined 6 techniques in total.

The first sequence Master Daher demonstrated the opponent coming forward with a sliding/stepping side kick. You would, instead of moving backwards, step to the side with the back foot executing a  front leg side piercing kick. It wasn’t until about half way through the demonstration that the assistant (“Guinea Pig”) Mr Lane realised, after Sir’s kicks getting harder, that when demonstrating with the master you don’t actually touch. Nice one John.

The second attack of the day was very similar except for instead of stepping across with the back leg we stepped across with our front foot and counter attacked with a rear foot turning kick.

The Third of the program was similar again but this time the counter attack or reaction was to jump forward and slightly to the side with a jumping double punch. This particular technique I felt I struggled with which I think I can only put down to not being flexible enough.

The next combination, which is probably my one of my favourites, was the opponent coming forward with a rear foot turning kick and we would react with a jumping back kick. This was also the same counter attack used should the opponent follow on with a jumping double punch except the defender steps back with the front leg for the first attack (Turning Kick) and then when the opponent continues with a jumping double punch you step back with the now front leg executing a jumping back kick as foot moves back and touches the ground. Another variation to this is as your opponent continues to approach with a jumping double punch you actually jump first and complete your double punch before you opponent commencing their jumping punches.

Students were then given the opportunities to incorporate these techniques into their own style of sparing and it was very interesting to see how these were then implemented.

Master Daher then conducted the grading and finished the day with a quick demonstration on where and why students where struggling with their jumping kicks and in particular their jumping back kick. It was demonstrated as to why the lack of height and momentum was cause. In most cases this was because the non kicking leg was left dangling under the body. Where as if they were bring this leg up to tuck the foot under the backside with the knee as high as possible, this would assist them with height and assist with the time in the air (Hang Time as I call it).

Gradings were different this time round and I think caught some off guard. Grading started with the senior belts first and included the assistant instructors on the floor and as Master Daher pointed out we ALL have to work on our training in some form. It was then back to the White Belts and then worked up the ranks. It was great to see the effort put in by the majority of the student and there were some outstanding results and unfortunately there will also be some disappointed students.

Results for the Bundaberg Club were as follows

Benjamin Pratt                    White Belt                                             Promoted to          White Belt Yellow Stripe

Peter Wein                             White Belt                                             Promoted to          9^th Kup

Stefania Barbera                 White Belt Yellow Stripe                    Promoted to          Yellow Belt White Stripe

Janine Mewburn                  9^th Kup                                                   Promoted to          8^th Kup

Alexandria Barbera            8^th Kup                                                   Promoted to          7^th Kup

Perry Nixon                           8^th Kup                                                   Promoted to          7^th Kup

Alicia Lane                           8^th Kup                                                   Promoted to          2^nd Kup

A special mention should also go to

Chelsea Barbera                  White Belt Yellow Stripe                    Promoted to          8^th Kup

Steffani O’Rreal-Avery      White Belt Yellow Stripe                    Promoted to          8^th Kup

Hayden McGaw                  White Belt                                             Promoted to          8^th Kup

Well done guys on you double promotion.

I think from the improvement that I saw during the course of the day there will be some serious contenders at the Sunshine Coast Cup and quite possibly 2013 selections.

LOOK OUT GUYS WE’RE COMING…………..