darren_stranger | variations on a theme

Thursday night session began with a quick revisit to the basics again, starting with side-to-side backstance transitions. First was double knife hand block (mine needs to be bigger - i've made it too small - at last something i have to change to a way i prfeer to do it), then single, then single lower, then lower double, then the double knife hand block / lower double knifehand block combo from Pyongwon.   My arms were aching like they were about to drop out of their sockets by the time we finished that exercise, which tells me i was tense all the way through. One day i'll get this relaxing thing. Maybe.

Then it was a revisit to the front stance exercise - feet parralel then opposite back to front stance, timing hand and foot for lower block - then a variation with a step forward to front stance followed by a parralel / step back version, going through lower, body, upper, outside and minor outside block.

From there we moved into some more mini-pattern exercises. First was the front kick to turning side kick combo from Pyongwon, paying particular attention to the process of front kick, step down to short stance (facing away), look over shoulder, side kick, which did make the side kick easier to control through less forward momentum. Then we did the same exercise with a partner watching, and Grant spotted that my toes were angled up on the left side kick. I also found that if i did it slow my balance was fine but if i rushed it was off (surprise surprise).

Next mini-pattern was the first row of Koryo, coming forward toward the mirrors - ie, one count = knife hand block through to body block, then knife hand block in the same back stance, then other leg next count. Then the top row of Koryo, from the knife hand side block through to the side kick and spearhand. Again on this my toes were sometimes up, so i have to watch the shape on that.

Then it was time for poomsae proper, the seniors working on the higher patterns with Mr Rozinszky. Points to come out this time were:

Jitae:   Watch back stance on first move - still wobbling. Must twist at end of lower block (start of forward line) not turn over and push down. Step back down to front stance (foot touching the ground but not settled) before starting the double punch.

Chonkwon: Watch foot angle on front kick (other patterns as well).

Sipjin: Yoke strike needs to be held in more, and a little lower.

Pyongwon:   Barrell push should push more. "You have to feel the patterns" says Mr Roz. Also watch the direction of the side kick - sometimes goes off at angle towards the front.

We also went over some of the criteria that the judges use to score patterns, as follows:

First category is 'Accuracy', with sub-categories of basic movement (ie which technique, attracting a 5 point deduction for doing the wrong move) and correct movement (ie proper shape and positions, with deductions between 0.1 and 0.5 for errors).

Next category is 'Mastery', including volume of movement (ie how big a movement, windup etc), balance and power & speed, each ranked from 0.5 to 1.0.

Final category is 'Presentation', covering control of rhythm/tempo/softeness/hardness and 'expression of ki', each again ranked from 0.5 to 1.0.

Gives some idea of what criteria the judges are looking for and how they affect the final score, which is helpful.

Only one session left to go.  Kind of a shame, but there's so much i've learned in these three weeks. Well worth it is an understatement.