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Thursday 3 May 2012

A note on Yakusoku Kumite


What we did on Tuesday 1 May 2012

Group 1: Shinzen – correcting posture, move hips not shoulders.
Group 2: Yakasoku kumite complete.
Group 3: Tenzen 1-14 inclusive.
Group 4: Channan takedowns.

Watching the practise of Yakusoku kumite of late has reinforced the recognition that there are a number of difficult concepts within the set that cannot be executed by relatively inexperienced students.  Yakusoku kumite was conceived as a basic set for ‘beginners’, but in order to be so a teacher must avoid the temptation to become to demanding or too deep.  Yet it is these very principles that we are anxious to impart early on.  I speak of looseness, fluidity, continuity of movement, accurate positioning involving distancing, centre-lining and an ability to utilise both hands as defensive or counter offensive tools takes time, patience and effort to develop and become intuitive.  The term ‘yakusoku kumite’ is appropriate as it means ‘agreement to adhere to convention’ hence the consistent use of the term ‘formal kumite’ to describe these exercises.  There is no implication in that term to suggest that the exercise is in fact basic or easy even if it is taught early in training.  It is an exercise that will underpin other pairs work throughout training and throughout the attainment of more advanced levels.

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