Copyright Peter Morton Academy of Judo Jujitsu Karate
NSW South Coast region junior seminar 2006
28 October 2006
This article appeared in the 2006 newsletter.
The 2006 South Coast region junior seminar was hosted by the Batemans Bay branch and held at the Batemans Bay Primary School, Surfside, NSW.
This seminar, like the Annual National Seminar, had the theme of techniques taught by the Academy with an emphasis on safety in training.
This year's seminar commenced at 9:20am with an introduction of dan belts and a quick run down of the agenda, followed by the allocation of over fifty attending students into teams.
Session 1: Kicks with Shihans Rowley and Scharrer
Basic kicks were practiced moving along the tatami and moving kicks into a kick bag. This provided students with a feel for a kick and what happens to a stance when something solid is brought into play as opposed to kicking into thin air.
Session 2: Breakfalls with Shihan Scharrer
The big questions were asked: Why do we do breakfalls? When do we do breakfalls? How do we do breakfalls? The answer is not always obvious but, basically, in junior speak it is to land properly when thrown.
Shihan Scharrer demonstrated how to land properly from a Round Kick and Ippon Seoi Nage.
Demonstrating a breakfall from a Double Lapel Hold, Shihan Scharrer did a flip and asked what type of breakfall he had done. The reply from students was "side". Shihan answered this with "but I did a flip" to which someone replied, "so?" To this Shihan had a little fun with the students by encouraging them to yell out answers and opinions to his question. This stirred up the students to a very rowdy crescendo.
Shihan's final comment on this subject was that no matter how a fall happens, whenever a body hits the ground a breakfall should be happening.
Breakfall drill
- Shoulder roll into a side breakfall—chest on knee, leading hand level with leading foot, look through legs, roll and stop as feet hit the ground.
- Zip start side breakfall—the student kneels on their hands and knees. The instructor holds one of the student's hands from the opposite side to that of the instructor under the student's body. Pull the student's arm rolling the student in a barrel roll circular motion (zip start). The falling student turns their head and looks in the direction of the throw and to where they are going to strike the ground in a side breakfall. The instructor does not hold or pull the hand too hard. Guide and let the student unwind into a side breakfall.
Session 3: Breakfalls randori style with Senseis Baronowski and Tobin
Senseis Baronowski and Tobin demonstrated the practical side of breakfalls by throwing each other in a fairly fast randori style throw-for-throw.
Session 4: Grappling with Senseis Baronowski and Tobin
A few grappling holds were shown to students then it was each for themselves as they put into action what they had been shown.
Session 5: Breakfalls with Shihans Rowley and Scharrer
Arms Around Body Feet Apart
- Attacker comes out of the throw in a side breakfall.
Side breakfall drill
- Student holds the instructor's lapel and lifts one foot off the ground or jumps so both feet are off the ground. Keeping hold of the lapel, the student does a side breakfall and the instructor drops their body and guides the student to the floor.
- Throw the student into a breakfall from Ogoshi or a related throw.
- When applying a throw, don't guide the student to the ground with the thrower's right hand. For drill training, hold only on to the student's right arm. This helps the thrower control the throw and it will force the student to side breakfall properly.
13:00 with Sensei Patrick
The students were feeling full of energy after being fed so, to bring some order back into the dojo, Sensei Patrick managed to get all the students down on the tatami lying flat out on their backs yoga-style.
This relaxation mode worked very well with the young students and it not only calmed them down but it also put them into a more relaxed frame of mind.
Session 6: Punching and wrestling with Shihan Darby
This session involved a review and practice of the correct way to punch with emphasis on the twisting motion of the arm then students were shown how to wrestle with each other from a kneeling position.
Session 7: Safety when coming out of a technique with Shihan Rowley
Kidney Karate drill
- Defender places a foot behind the attacker's leading foot. Keep the foot stationary and do not sweep.
- Defender pushes on the attacker's shoulder.
- Bring attacker off balance.
- Take attacker to ground in a controlled push.
- Attacker does a side breakfall.
Arms Around Body from Behind Feet Together
- The attacker falls into a side breakfall, not flat on their back.
Side Choke
This can be done in all techniques. The defender should always:
- Put their hands up in a guard position to protect the head.
- Keep their guard up.
- Block all attacks.
Side breakfall off a horse
- Side breakfall off a kneeling horse with a partner holding the student's hand as a guide.
Session 8: Basic Steps Kata competition
To show that instructors are not all talk and no action, those present were called upon to show students how a kata should be performed.
Inspired by the instructor demonstration, Team Green, led by Andrew Wright, won the BSK competition.
Session 9: Two Man Attack competition
Winners
- Boy: Jesse Howard from Kaleen, ACT, age 7.
- Girl: Tiana Barenaba from Batemans Bay, NSW, age 11.
Session 10: Correct application of techniques with Shihans Rowley and Scharrer
Side Choke
- The choke break is a big swing followed by a turn of the body.
- The head attack is a double ear-slap, as in Double Lapel Hold, then the head is held.
Session 11: British Bulldog and sausage break
After beating the instructors at a vigorous game of British Bulldog, the students were let loose on a heap of sausages and drinks that would have made a king proud.
Session 12: Slide show
The participants were treated to a slide show look at the history of the Batemans Bay branch. Set to music, it showed some shots of Frog and current and past members of the branch.
Session 13: Presentations and thanks
The end of the day's activities brought about the presentation of certificates and medals followed by a thank you with Sensei Patrick to all involved. Laraine Morton was presented with a bouquet of flowers and Frog was presented with a hand-crafted walking stick forged from an old tree root.