Training Diary - Friday 5th September

Tonight's class was focused around the use of circles, pushing hands and grappling techniques to off balance an opponent and finally throw or sweep them onto the floor.

This started with what looked liked a fairly simple exercise (!) using a circles/pushing hands type technique with a partner (basically wax on/wax off for karate kid fans) and ensuring that any rotation in the body comes from the waist, not hip or shoulders. By also remaining well rooted to the floor and spiraling, this ensures good power generation. The trick here though is to remain as soft as possible in order to be able to feel where your opponent is vulnerable.

We then moved on to introduce more movement in the feet and further seeking out where your opponent was off balance or open to attack.

The next exercise then involved combining the techniques learned into close quarter grappling then combined with a throw or a sweep once an opening had been identified. The first of these was a fairly basic judo hip throw (O Goshi), the next a pull to get your opponent off balance follows by a step in and backwards leg sweep. Further inside leg  sweeps were also practiced - key to making these most effective is to pull the opponent off balance in the opposite direction to the sweep from the grappling position. A further technique was also practiced, placing ones foot over the opponent then combining with a backwards step and trip/sweep to pull them down onto the floor.

Key to getting the sweeping techniques to work is to be able to quickly step in close to the opponent, especially if targeting the rear leg. Getting in the right position is challenging especially with a mobile opponent and speed is of the essence.

Finally all the above techniques were practiced but combined with an initial kicking or punching attack. Again the main challenge here is being able to maintain forward momentum to get in and execute the required move - I found this quite challenging in particular with a Mawashi Geri attack where I found myself off balance and stepping backwards initially.

At the end of the lesson the final technique practiced was an upwards shoulder barge to the opponent then quickly combined with grabbing and pulling both legs to throw the person backwards. Key here is a good initial barge to wind or off balance and the timing of grappling the legs. Ideally the shoulder barge should be aimed at the solar plexus area - lower leaves you vulnerable and higher less effective. It's also important not to start from a 'charging bull' position but to introduce the move after an initial punching or kicking attack - this way the move is more subtle and takes the opponent by surprise.

All in all a good lesson and a great way to get back into training after 3 weeks off over the summer!