2010 ISKF MASTER CAMP as from the eyes of Andre McWilliams

I arrived at the camp around 11:30 pm Friday night, after lights out, with about seven other Karateka.  It was dark. Lucky I had a flashlight to find Cabin #30.  (see pictures)

Saturday, June 12, 2010 5:30 AM, was the start of our camp. We were awakened for a morning run/walk.

Around 5:30 a.m. After a short warm- up, there was a run or walk.  (See pictures).

After the run, many advanced karate practitioners assembled at the SHOTO DOME, for karate training session 6: 30 to 8:00A.M. Instructed by Master Yaguchi.

Other Karate people assembled at the Okazaki Dome for morning training

SENSEI started the class working on HAND attack techniques, from the front stance.

1.  First combination slide forward and delivering a short punch to the face (leading hand), and  follow with a reverse punch to the stomach.

The next combination started to left   front stance, slide forward and do a right reverse punch stomach level, follow with a left short punch or jab (making good hip rotation).

1. From the left front stance, sliding half a step back and step forward with the right into a right front pants short punch to the face followed with a left reverse punch to the stomach.
2. From the yoi position, the attack is coming in to face a fork step back with a right foot into aright back stance, block with the first hand movement in the kata: “Gunkakau” (practiced using different combinations of counterattack to your opponent).

8:45 a.m.  9:45 a.m.  Breakfasts Note: most camp people had to be part of the meal service, at     different times. We served food three different times.

At 9:45 AM: There was a kid’s tournament, which included all ranks. Team Kata and team Kumite and individual Kata and Kumite. The young members from our karate club participated in the tournament and did very well.

12:45 AM to 1:45 PM was lunch.

After lunch there was free time until 3 PM.

3 PM to 4:30 PM was an instructor’s clinic #24, which involved combinations and applications.   For        the lower belts, not Involved in the instructors training, there was a 4:30 PM to 6 PM class     about, combinations and application of those combinations.

7 PM to 8 PM- dinner

8:30 PM to 9:30 PM attendant a lecture and given by Master Teriyaki Okazaki.

10: 00 PM LIGHTS OUT

Sunday, June 13, 2010, 6:30 AM to 8:00A.M.6 AM, – morning walk/ run. Then a class on combinations fast different types of warm-up exercises.   6:30 AM to 8 AM. After class there was a camp group photo taken, before breakfast.  There was a herd of wild geese, which also trained with us in the mornings.

Push ups-when rising, pick-up one hand and touch the opposite shoulder and place it back into push-up position (do both sides). A different combination: In the up push up position take one hand swing it behind and touched the opposite foot and return both to the floor.

1.     Yoi! Using the double punch position   used in the Kata – Bassai-dai, As your opponent is attacking to your face, you step into your opponent into a right front stance, double punch (one face one stomach) at the same time blocking with the upper arm against your opponent right arm attached to the face.

2.     Yoi! And your opponent attacks to the stomach, step back and perform a right outside forearm block, to your opponents attacking arm.  Immediately she afford into it straddle leg stance, while delivering a horizontal elbow strike to your opponent’s metal body level.

3.     Yoi! As your opponent attacks to your middle   level, with his right hand, you’ll delivered a left pressing block, at the same time you’re stepping forward into a right front stance right much punch to the face. With the left elbow deliver a left horizontal strike to the face, follow what the right vertical elbow strike to the chin. Bring in the right arm down underneath your opponents by extended arm and deliver a circular block, taking your opponent to the right and down, step forward with the left foot and deliver a downward double strike back of your opponent.

8:45 AM to 9:45 AM-breakfast

9:45 AM to 11 AM.  Written exams for judges, instructors, and examiners. Both Julian Fischer and I  participated in the written exams for judges.

12:45 PM to 1:45 PM, lunch.

3 PM to 4:30 PM Instructors training  #25 -subject: Kata and applications of Kata movements.

8: 30 PM to 9:30 pm., was a Lecture by Sensei Takahashi

10:00pm LIGHTS OUT

Monday, June 14, 2010: Morning run / walk.  Before breakfast 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. training covered body shifting and application.

Breakfast was between 8:45 A.M. To 9:45 A.M. After breakfast was free time.  We went down to Philly and toured downtown Philly. (see pictures).

Tuesday June 15, 2010  5:30 AM: Started with a morning walk- run.

6:30 am – 8;00 a.m. Morning training before breakfast, covered training in striking techniques and applications.

3: P.M.  TUESDAY Afternoon – Instructors Training Class # 26, conducted by “O” Master  Okazaki.

The class was started with Sensei explaining the real importance of basics, when instructing the

lower belt levels (below the Brown belt). They must be instructed thoroughly as to the

Involvement of hip rotation, when executing the various blocks and counter attacks.

He advised that it is very important for each instructor to impress upon students the strong need for daily practice. Practice basics every day.

First combination practice: Left forward stance, hands in fighting position, slide forward while delivering a reverse punch to the stomach level, follow with a left short punch to the face (again strong hip rotation in the opposite direction) the use of a strong hip rotation, coincides with a strong pulling arm of the non-attacking side.

Second combination: from the left forward stance, slide back with a right foot, while ending in a left for word stance. While at the same time delivering a left jab to the face, immediately follow with a right reverse punch to the stomach area. (Pay strong attention to the hip rotation and withdrawing arms).

Third combination: practice combinations ne and two in sequence.

Fourth combination: KICKING- left front stance hands in fighting position.  Left front leg

front kick, settle down into left unspent hips   should be in a °45 angle. With the right to rotate to the front walls guarding and executing a front snap kick to the middle body level, then step back into the left forward stance.

7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Dinner

8:30 PM TO 9:30 PM Lecture Mr. Gary Swain – talked about the importance of input of information to the organization and from the organization – ISKF.

10:00PM LIGHTS OUT

Wednesday June 16, 2010, 6:00 am – Warm up than run /walk.

6:30 am- 8:00 am, morning training combination techniques and review.

8:45 am – 9:45 am, breakfast.

9:45 am – 11am lecture – Dr. Smith

12:45 pm – 1:45 pm Lunch

1:45 pm -3:00 pm free time

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Instructors training #27 covered a review of techniques and self defense.

4:30 pm – 6:00 pm judges clinic

7:00 pm – 8: pm Dinner

8:30 pm – 9:30 pm lecture by Dr. George Stollsteimer – talked bout the physical importance of correct technique to avoid injuries.  Correct leg aliments to reduce stress on the knees. Proper landing when putting the foot down puts less pressure on the knee joints.

10:00pm LIGHTS OUT

Thursday June 18, 2010 6:00 am Run and Walk.

6:30 am -8:00 am: {training an complete review.

8:45 am to 9:45 am:  Breakfast

9:45 am\-till – THERE WAS A INTERNAIONAL ALL RANKS TOURANMENT

Part of the tournament was used as the JUDGES PRACTICAL EXAMINATION. MR JULIAN FISHER AND MYSELF PARTICIPATED IN THE JUDGING OF THE LOWER BELT RANKS. We each judged the men and women s team completion- Kata and Kumite. We judged individual competition also in men, women, and children, Kata and Kumite.

Lunch started late 2:00pm.

After the tournament was completed and after lunch, the training camp was finished, however, there was a Dinner and Awards were then given out.

Master Camp 2010

All I had been told about Master Camp was true, and more:  even the food was much better than I had been told. I was there for the week with Callum Fisher, Alexis Sosa, Andre McWilliams and Andrew Krohn from Flagstaff. Unfortunately my camera died on the first day of camp so the pictures are from my cell phone.

The days were full, starting with Bob’s whistle at 6am and a 6:30 run and training.

After breakfast, optional training, lunch, instructor training, regular training, dinner then a lecture: lights out at 10.  The camp facilities provided other activities in the free time for basketball, tennis, table tennis, swimming. On the Saturday here was a youth tournament which Callum and Alexis participated in and the Goodwill tournament was Thursday. For two evenings there were even salsa dance lessons.  With so many countries represented mealtimes were often quite a geography lesson. Every evening a bus made a trip to the local Walmart so people could stock up on “necessities.”

The training was great with lots of exceptional instructors, Master Okazaki, Yaguchi, Field, Woon-A-Tai, Swain, Jones, Kline, Miura, Takanashi, and so many more Sensei’s.

This was very much technique based training not push until you drop.   The wood floors were not the problem I had expected, no blisters but lots of flying bugs to contend with.  The Goodwill tournament moved very quickly with minimalistic commands and instruction.  Three rings operated quickly and efficiently. There were no disqualifications and very few injuries until the last rounds of the men’s kumite.

The Sensei’s seemed the most relaxed during instructors training, particularly Sensei Yaguchi who gave Josh quite a surprise whilst taking about back kicks.  Master Okazaki invited the new instructors to the front then invited them each to teach a technique followed by open questions. The questioning to and for was very polite but direct.  Sensei Woon-A- Tai  led a judge’s seminar, which was very worthwhile instruction with a lot of discussion.

The Judges test (D) written portion started with strict instructions not to write on the paper: then the first question asked to write the answer on the paper.  It certainly broke the tension as we asked for clarity. Was that part of the test? The practical portion had us judging, kata and kumite, rotating positions and refereeing. Judges conferences were guided by Sensei’s Jones and Kline who also provided a lot of individual guidance and encouragement. With so many byes in one round one referee almost developed a “Aka no kachi’ twitch after repeating it 8 times.

The Thursday night dinner presented the Tournament awards and listed out the results of the gradings, instructors and judge’s tests.  The gradings had been closed so I had no idea that so many people had tested (successfully) very senior Dan levels. It was really impressive the depth of the organization and the caliber of whom we were training with.  This was followed by a party off site which had well organized busses to and fro. The band was good and the bar well stocked.  Friday was a quiet return to Phoenix.

Overall it was a great experience, one that I would like to repeat next year.

OSS

Julian Fisher

The most common Japanese expression used to describe the bodies “Center” is Seika Tanden. It is therefore regretful that most instructors and senior practitioners of Karate cannot provide even a cursory explanation of Seika Tanden.

The Japanese word Seika is made from combining two Kanji characters (Japanese language symbols) and can be translated into English as “below the navel“.
The translation of Seika may appear to be obvious and straightforward to the Karate practitioner, but requires some further clarification. The average instructor or senior practitioner may explain that the location of the bodies “Center” is located approximately four finger widths below the navel. Unfortunately the novice will assume from this explanation that the bodies “Center” is located on the skins surface. It can be more correctly stated that the bodies “Center” is located four finger widths below the navel in the “core” of our body. Think of the Seika Tanden being located inside of the Hara (See the August 16th, 2010 posting on the Hara).

The semblance of the letter “X” and the human body may allow the Karate practitioner to comprehend the crucial role of the bodies “Center“. The upper and lower points of the letter “X” may be thought of as our hands and feet, while the intersecting lines may be likened to our bodies “Center“. Unfortunately the majority of Karate practitioners are entirely consumed with the furthest points of the letter “X“, the hands and feet. This is ignorantly rationalized by concluding that these are the points of the body that hit the opponent. Peeling away these superficial layers of Karate technique will expose how the hands and feet are influenced and enhanced by the bodies “Center“.

In the third posting of this series I will translate and explain the most common phrase used to describe the bodies “Center“.

Doryoku,
Scott Middleton

The Japanese word Hara is commonly translated into English as “abdomen“. This cursory examination of the word Hara fails to capture the significant role that it plays in many of the Japanese arts.

While referring to Hara in the Martial, Spiritual, or Therapeutic arts of Japan it may be assumed that the lower abdomen is being referenced. Karate, Aikido, Chado (The way of tea), Ikebana (Flower arrangement), and Shiatsu (Therapeutic finger pressure) amongst other arts follow this ideology.

It is my personal opinion that the word Hara is to general of a term and should not be used to characterize the crucial role of the abdomen. Hara more accurately describes an area of the human body that ranges from the base of the sternum to the top of the pubic bone.

In the next three postings to Watashi no Karate Michi, I will detail information and explain common terms that more accurately describe the bodies “Center“.

Doryoku,
Scott Middleton

The name Watashi no Karate Michi was chosen deliberately after a considerable amount of contemplation on my behalf.
I have devoted most of my life to pursuing excellence in Shotokan Karate. The Karate path I have chosen to follow is not wide with appealing curves and scenic bends. The road I have taken is straight, narrow and paved with hardship.
The Japanese phrase Watashi no Karate Michi can be translated as “My Karate path“. The practitioner of Karate must appreciate the significance of the Japanese word Michi.

Doryoku,
Scott Middleton

The Dojo Dog “ShotoBear”
ShotoBear Coburn
August 25, 1998 – May 21, 2010

ShotoBear passes away

Father: Kozmo Kodiak Bear
Mother: Tenshi Umaretsuki
Son: Bear Coburn born in Scottsdale, Arizona 8/25/1998
Breed: Akita
Bear grew to weigh a solid 113lbs.

Bear was truly a very unique beautiful Akita dog who will never be forgotten. He was a humans best companion.
Bear was your friend, your partner, your defender, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart – This was Bear.
You will be missed but never forgotten.

ShotoBear Slide Show

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Instructor Class with Sensei Field by Dave Bracklow
Saturday, May 22, 2010

Andre McWilliams and I went to California on Sunday May 16th for Instructor training class. If you plan on doing this in the future, I recommend allowing 1.5 to 2 hours min travel time between LAX and the Santa Monica dojo. (get with me and I’ll give you the details)

Training started promptly @ 1:00 and finished @ 2:30. The subject matter for the day was lesson #2 “What parts of the body do we use in Karate, Heian #1 and 2, Sanbon Kumite”.

As we started training Sensei told us to “think about what parts of the body we use in Karate” I thought feet, hands elbows. Mostly striking and blocking. We’ll see later that I was thinking to small.
One of the main things he mentioned in this class and the one at the Spring Camp was to show the technique as if a white belt was watching. Don’t talk about it; demonstrate the technique so that they can copy. Obviously if your basics are bad the student will see this and replicate the same bad technique.

We practiced side kicking for quite a long time. I guess the group as a whole didn’t have very good basic side kicks. (considering we were all Nidan and above)

Then we practiced Heian 1 and 2 emphasis on complete hand movements i.e. first movement down block (gedan bari) moving left right hand towards the target left hand to the ear. (repeating this throughout the kata) Same thing with knife defense (Shuto uke) “DON”T MAKE SMALL HAND MOVEMENTS”

Last 15-20 minutes was discussion. He asked the group “What parts of the body do we use” One of the students responded “the whole body” He asked for a demonstration. (the student used reverse punch as his subject) Starting with the heal on the ground, straight leg, rotated hip, core (body center) tight, lats, arm wrist, knuckles. Sensei asked if we need to add anything else we all agreed he cover it pretty good. Sensei said, “What about draw hand (hiki te). Stumped again. Draw hand though a small part of a punch is not the least important. I relate draw hand in karate to the lug nuts on a car. Probably the smallest element, but just as important as the engine.

That’s all for now. There were a lot of small points, but I think you need to be at a class to appreciate all the information that was given.

Good training as usual with Sensei Field. We all enjoyed it. As usual tons of traffic returning to LAX allow plenty of time if you plan on doing this.
My goal is to do 2 or 3 a year in Santa Monica. Plus Mr. Field will teach one class at each camp.

I still need to schedule a trip to Master Camp. (a pre-requisite to testing)

OSS – Dave Bracklow

The “Best in the West” Spring Karate Dô Camp and Shiai take place on April 15-18, 2010 .

This is the 3rd Annual Spring Karate Dô  event held in Mesa, Arizona at the Mesa Community College.

Special Master Guest Instructors: Shihan Yutaka Yaguchi 9th Dan & Sensei James Field 8th Dan.

The event starts with an Annual Golf Tournament called the Yaguchi Cup. The golf event takes place on Thursday, April 15th at the ASU Karsten Golf Course. First tee time is at 11 am. The event is open to anyone that likes to golf. You must pre-register for the golf event. Details can be found at Budo Events

On Friday, April 16th Karate training begins at 7am with Master Yaguchi. This class is an optional class to the camp and is held at the SKA dojo with a limited number of participants. The first regular camp class is Friday at 5:30pm at Mesa Community College. All camp details and registration can be found on our karate websites and our new event site, Budo Events

OSS! See you all there – Sah iko “Sai Go” (Let’s Go!)

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We begin our 3rd Annual Spring Karate Dô Camp & Shiai Cup 2010 with the    Annual   Master Yaguchi Golf Cup Tournament on April 15th.

This year’s golf tournament is being held at  the  ASU Karsten Golf Course.

Details can be found on our new events website. Budoevents