Saturday Karate class – 1/12/08 – Back to basics sparring.

Sensei Gatch had us work on some simple but fundamental sparring techniques today.

We started out across from our partner and then we each did one shift in and one shift out. This drill was to make us keep the same distance before and after an attack.  We then added a reverse punch.  After that, we worked on kicking distance both with front and back leg kicks.

We then did a bit of a different drill that I do not recall doing before.  Our partner got into a front stance and we turned sideways.  We then, very slowly, walked sideways toward our partner and once we got into range, they threw a roundhouse kick.  Once they kicked, we would walk back out a few steps and then walk in again for them to attack.  Next, we worked on some moving drills making sure to use the correct distance.  Of course, this is harder than when we were stationary but doing the other drills first seemed to help.

We finished up class working on creating an opening on our opponent.   We would hit their front hand out of the way to create an opening for an attack and then punch or kick to that area.  It’s not as simple as it sound since timing is important too but with practice, I am sure it gets easier.

It was a really good class and getting back to sparring basics is something I know I can certainly use.