.comment-link {margin-left:.6em;}

Selby Shotokan Karate Club

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The boy is back!

The doors of the dojo are always open, but an instructor is especially pleased when an old student decides it is time to return to the dojo and continue their journey along "the way."

Sam Dennis joined SSKC when he was 7 and trained for four years. Sam's highlight in karate was competing in the European Championships in Italy in 2008.

After a break of three years Sam is back training again and I thought I should update our current members on the depth of karate that Sam brings back with him.

I have also posted Sam's old member page, just click on "members" and then "Sam Dennis" to see some video of Sam training in Italy and sparring with Sensei Paul, IJKA England's coach, I think Sam won!

Below is a repeat post from 2008 to show what Sam got up to. Sam seemed to be a little confused.... had he travelled to Venice for the karate of for something else?

Sam seemed to maintain a good balance of training and enjoying what Italy had to offer.

Above: Sam doing some Pre-Comp training

We performed quite a few kata during our morning beach training, to the front of Sam is the Bulgarian chief Instructor.


Above: Sam performs Tekki Shodan

Sam is one of the early karateka to attack Sensei Milena.

Above: Sam attacks Sensei Milena

As with all competition there is a lot of waiting around.

Above: Sam sits and waits

Sam had the honour of leading in the England team, despite it having the union flag and not the George cross on it.

Above: Sam with the England banner

Sam has bags of potential which I am sure will be realised over the next few years, at only eleven years old it is all in front of him.

Above: Sam borrows some medals and trys them for size

Sam seemed to do more than his fair share for international relations, his biggest fan was one of the bar maids at the sports village, who was fascinated by Sam's "lovely blue eyes" ...uck!

Above: Sam with his No1 Italian Fan

Sam uses the 2 hour boat trip to Venice to chat to his increasing fan club.

Above: Sam with Jackie from Ireland

Above: Sam attracts some more fans

Above: Sam and Liz

Above: Becks, Sam and Claire (from Ireland)

Above: Sam selects a boat for entertaining

Above: Sam meets a new fan in Venice

Above: Sam with some more fans

I am sure Sam is now taller than Sensei Helen, but not in Italy, Helen brings him down to size.

Above: Sam and Sensei Helen

Sam, you will soon have to start your own international fan club to keep up with all your admirers.

Click on the yellow button below to return to the "HOME" page

What's the point?

Last weekend the JKS England squad session was taken by special guest Instructor Sensei Paul Giananndrea from Scotland, a great time had by all (except the squats).

Sensei Paul's focus was :
  • How not to get hurt
  • How to score points
  • How to stop being scored against
  • A great session over two and half hours, but what I want to focus on was when sensei called up pairs and asked the big crowd of judges "was it a point , or not?".

    So what actually are the criteria of scoring a point in kumite and for scoring in kata?

    The following are extracts from the JKS Rules:

    The criteria of judgement for scoring a point in kumite are as follows:
    1. Correct stance and good attitude.
    2. Strong spirit.
    3. Suitable distance and timing.
    4. Correct grasp of objective.
    5. Course of techniques and target.

    Above : Point or No Point?

    Match Judgement for kata is based on the following criteria:
    1. Correctness of order of kata and course of techniques.
    2. Presence of the 3 elements: strength, Elasticity of body and speed control of techniques.
    3. Correctness of kata course (Embusen), and the smoothness of foot movements (Unsoku).
    4. Use of a technique with understanding of its meaning.
    5. Good unity and good characterisation of a technique.
    6. Correct aim at the target and method of breathing.
    7. Presence of power in basic techniques and its correct use.
    8. Presence of a strong spirit.
    9. Completeness of Kamae and Zanshin.
    10. Good manners and good attitude.
    11. Feet and hands in correct form.
    12. Correct grasp of objective.
    13. Absence of exaggerated movement.
    14. Absence of speed control.
    15. Good control and unification of the demonstration, in the case of a group match.
    16. Correct course for tsuki, uchi, keri and uke.
    17. Correct standing posture.
    18. No reduction in points for moving out of competition area.
    19. No lifting of the back leg’s heal when in a stance.
    20. Smoothness of continuation after an error in the kata was made.
    21. Pause to think of the next movements of the kata.
    22. No wearing, holding or carrying of any unnecessary items during the kata.

    At the end of training Wendy handed out the new squad jackets for yet another photo opportunity.

    To all our squad members firstly remember sensei Paul's top 3 tips and consider the criteria required for points and good luck, Osu!

    Click on the yellow button below to return to the "HOME" page


    Friday, August 12, 2011

    More Asai Ryu and Shotokan kata uploaded

    I have uploaded a few more videos:

    Asai Ryu :
    Dai Ichi Ken, Dai Ni Ken. Dai San Ken and Dai Yon Ken from Toomey Sensei 6th Dan from IJKA Ireland.
    Meikyo Nidan demo from Shotokan Ciudad Real

    Kato Ryu:
    Kato Shihan teaching parts of Kibaken Nidan.
    Kibaken Yondan, Kibaken Godan and Supar Kibaken from Sensei Milena Galabova IJKA

    Update on the database:
    Shotokan kata: 175 videos in total from 26 kata of the 26 listed
    Asai Ryu Kata : 131 Videos in total from 43 kata of the 84 listed
    Kato Ryu Kata: 16 Videos in total from 6 kata of the 7 listed
    Koller Ryu Kata: 2 video in total from 1 kata of the 1 listed
    Wheelchair Kata: 8 Videos in total from 7 kata of the 18 listed
    Total number of videos in the database = 332

    If you follow the link to my kata page and double click on the kata name, it will take you to the video of the kata selected.

    Click on the yellow buttons below to return to the "HOME" or sskc "Kata" pages.