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Scott McCallum
Scott McCallum's picture
Looking for drills for Junior students.

My current Sensie has asked me to provide some introduction to our members on the methods and techniques of pragmatic Kata Bunkai. Many of the members are mid level kyu belts, mid to late teens and I want to introduce some of the ideas and applications from the Pinan Kata's.  I have a lot of Iain's source material to work form but i'm looking for suggestions for drills and applications which others have found particularly effective with younger pupils.  My group has good kids with good attitude but some of the applications in the source material require mature skills and mind sets.  I can tell them about the four stages of analysis and give them theory but i'm looking for ideas for 'tasters' to whet their appetite for more.

Any and all suggestions gratefully recieved.

Scott McCallum (Western Canada)

JWT
JWT's picture

Hi Scott

Without wishing to blow my own trumpet, I think the drills in my new series of books might just be what you are looking for. I've deliberately included variations for students with less distance control (such as body strikes as well as the head strike versions of the same application) and even a few fun exercises that are not 'practical' application but fit the standard kumite model while working reaction skills that transfer to both competitive and practical application/self defence practice. The drills themselves are a very tight fit for the kata movements.

The first volume is out now and the second volume is a foreword away from publication. :)

You can see a few snippets of the drills in the kata applications of my youtube channel here. The book is on amazon here.

Alternatively there's a wealth of youtube video links in the kata application section on this forum where members have posted their ideas and of course Iain's DVDs and books.

All the best

John Titchen

Scott McCallum
Scott McCallum's picture

Thanks, I've looked at the video and will be ordering you're book.  I like your head versus body modification, simple and yet still keeps the ideas and principles valid. 

I guess this is why the kata's were adapted for teaching in the Okinawan School System in the first place :)

Most of the students are careful enough that I can use most of Iain's (and hopefully soon, some of your's) material without concern but for a couple i need to supervise a little closer.  Thanks for pointing me in the general direction I appreciate the time it you took to offer me advice. 

Scott

JWT
JWT's picture

Scott McCallum wrote:
I appreciate the time it you took to offer me advice. 

Scott

No problem. That's what I see forums like this as being for. Obviously getting contacts here to meet up with to exchange ideas in seminars and classes is great, but when that's not possible members sharing videos, books or discussing concepts makes this a great resource.