Duan Grade Tim Eves from Horsham
applies the arm lock in self-defence

Region 2 Senior Belt Class
East Grinstead, 1 April 2007

by Tina Matania (3rd Duan)

Master Goward with students
(click on the image above to see larger size image)

On Sunday 1st April 2007 students from Region 2 (Surrey, Sussex and Kent) attended the Region 2 senior belt class held by Senior Instructor and Regional Director Master Adam Goward (6th Duan).

Master Adam Goward (6th Duan) with Dr Alejandro
Aragon-Zavala (3rd Duan) from Tang Sou Dao Mexico

The class was held at East Grinstead as usual and we were pleased to welcome Dr Alejandro Aragon-Zavala, Instructor Tang Sou Dao Mexico, who was in the UK for a short visit.

Old friends and new students welcomed Dr Aragon-Zavala and it was a chance for us to hear about the forthcoming expansion of Tang Sou Dao Mexico and exchange news.

Click here for Tang Sou Dao Mexico

Duan grades practiced Luo Han forms two, three and four in detail, and Duan and Ji grades went through all the Pinan forms in slow and fast count. There was also an opportunity for Ji grades to practice their kicking on target pads to improve their eye focus, speed and strength.

Young 4th Ji student with Tina Matania (3rd Duan) practising
self-defence and counter-attack

Dr Aragon-Zavala (3rd Duan) with 4th Ji student 'armed' with target bat

Master Goward took time to focus on self-defence movements, with particular regard to evasion against an attacker with a weapon (for training purposes a target bat).

View from the balcony, Kings Leisure Centre, East Grinstead

All students present practiced self defence, taking it in turns to be the armed 'attacker', the objective being to avoid the attack and then counter in order to deal with the risk posed.

Dr Aragon-Zavala (right of picture) evades the attack and ensures the
weapon is not able to be employed by applying an arm lock

The armed scenario is a higher risk situation and therefore quick evaluation, correct positioning of the defender's body in response to the attacking movement and fast application of counter movement e.g. an arm lock, is essential. All ranges of attacking movements and trajectories were practiced.

Master Adam Goward (6th Duan) right of picture demonstrating to
Duan grade Sean Feltham from Epsom with young Ji grade student

Unarmed attack scenarios including grabs and holds were then analysed by students under the direction of Master Goward assisted by senior Duan grades.

Defence against headlock about to be employed

Master Goward analysed close-range self-defence tactics with Dr Aragon-Zavala in an un-armed scenario. The initial turn of the defender's body is essential together with covering movements before the counter-attack is considered.

Turn, outside of attacker's grabbing hand. Defender has
one hand raised, one kept lower for maximum defensive position

Maintaining eye focus, turning the body, moving the upper hand
inside the grab and forward for the ...
Palm heel strike to the face, lower hand covering and right foot
raising to kick upwards into the groin

Single hand grab. Turning the body to protect vital organs
and covering with open hand ...
Followed by blocking and ...
Moving forward and upwards for the final strike,
suo chuor kong chee (elbow strike)

Ji grades and Duan grades also had the opportunity to spar with those more junior and more senior than themselves.

Billy Lee (4th Ji, Horsham) and Dr Aragon-Zavala (3rd Duan, Mexico);
side thrust kick (cher chuai ti) from Dr Aragon-Zavala

Dr Aragon-Zavala (3rd Duan, Mexico) and Billy Lee (4th Ji, Horsham);
inside to outside drop kick (nei chuai ti) from Billy Lee

Dr Aragon-Zavala with Tim Eves (Horsham)

Master Goward addresses the Duan grades before a second
round of free-sparring

Dr Aragon-Zavala with Sean Feltham (Epsom);
(nei chuai ti) from Dr Aragon-Zavala

Lewis Richardson (1st Duan, Haywards Heath) sparring with
Simon King (2nd Duan, Epsom);
Simon extends side thrust kick (cher chuai ti)

Region 2 senior belt classes are open to orange belt upwards.
For dates and times click here.

Tang Sou!

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