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Leigh Simms
Leigh Simms's picture
Gedan Barai Flowdrill

Hi everyone,

I've put a link below to the Gedan Barai Flowdrill I shared at my recent seminar. Although apologies as there is some background audio issues!

The techniques contained within the drill come from various sources although they rely on the same common fighting concepts.

I hope you find the drill a useful way to practice a number of techniques in short space of time and to remember the magnitude of kata as it shows how one motion can have many applications!

Leigh

Wastelander
Wastelander's picture

Thanks for sharing, Leigh! I definitely see all of the gedan-barai connections. I do have one question, though--what was your reasoning for the transition after the arm wrench and groin strike? Just to facilitate the remainder of the drill, or did you have a particular opponent response in mind?

Leigh Simms
Leigh Simms's picture

Hi Noah,

Thanks for the feedback! And to answer your question, this is a drill with isolated techniques but together to drill them all in a short space of time.

It's a domination drill rather than a "what if" drill. So the drill in particular wasn't put together with the enemy's possible reactions in mind. 

Another use I have for this drill is that it demonstrated a number of different ways of moving during combat. The transition after the groin strike is just there as a way of practicing a switch step. 

I hope that helps!

Leigh

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Nice drill that Leigh! I think such drills are ideal when you want students to quickly run through certain things in a busy class i.e. maintain a previously acquired skill. I also think they are good for seminar teaching too. In this case, you’ve given the participants a little “gedan barai package” which will be much easier to remember and take away than if the methods were only drilled individually.

It’s a little like how I was told as a child that I can remember the order and prescribed colours of the rainbow with “Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain” (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet). The mnemonic makes it easy because you have to learn one thing, as opposed the remembers seven things. Likewise, it is easier to learn one drill than individually learn the methods the drill contains.

In short, I find such drills great for time efficient practise, and for efficient learning when you are pressed for time (i.e. seminars).

Thanks for sharing!

All the best,

Iain

Leigh Simms
Leigh Simms's picture

Hi Iain!

Thanks for the feedback and no doubt I'm sure you recognise your influence on this drill - especially at the start ;-).

I think we spent around 30-40 minutes on this drill during the seminar because of the actual amount of information contained within the drill is far more than any 2 minute clip can capture.

And as you pointed out, for students who know the individual components of the drill, putting the parts together in a longer seqence can be great for students to practice in order to "maintain a previously acquired skill" in a short amount of time. 

Thanks again!

Leigh