Practical Karate Association

Smashing energy throughout the class. Solid pad work improvements, good refinement on the static and limited sparring (stand up, ground and wall), plus greater body control shown in kata.

The struggle to take one register photo with no movement is real!

Smaller classes this week with a number of adults away for work and sixth formers away for exams. Some good energy from everyone!

Some juniors introduced to hitting people in body armour rather than just pads, with the added pressure of windmilling attacks.

Armour next Thursday for some fun training!

Getting priorities right.

In our recent Sim Day we revisited dangerous physiological reactions to stressful situations.

We haven't done this dynamic for a while, so there were a few participants that had never had to contend with this situation. It was incredibly good to see that every trainee recognised that the priority was being uninjured to ensure they could administer first aid and call for help, not to tackle the violent offenders that may have aggravated the situation in the first place.

Changing the scenario.

With half of Saturday's participants still studying at school, we created a mock 'changing room' for them with a diversionary focus of removing sports socks and vests that were worn over their armour and putting on socks, vests and jackets.

Then we added in an argument, an accusation, to be combined with end of day fatigue.

It created a small busy space dynamic more familiar to the group. We opted not to give an olfactory stimulus to the room this time... but that can easily be done!