Had to miss Thursday because of work, havent really had time for anything,so I was really looking forward to Sunday morning.About ten of us on the covered stage because of the rain.
Started with pushups. Then pushing. Sometimes with big movements and steps, also with knees together (pivoting and jumping). Advances to absorb and trap.
Then a tactile drill – just fingertip-to-fingertip pushing, very lightly, no pattern. Then one partner with open hands the other with a fist, ramping to quite strong striking and very circular absorbing/deflecting. This was an excellent drill. It really helps to isolate where the defensive movements fail to flow and also helps link strikes – one strike segues into another with no stop. Then more pushups.
Knives to finish. First just moving with the knife tip slow pressure, just as we do with our usual hand push drill. Then moving to make the blade of the knife flat with the body, and lastly adding a trap/lock/release or counter with the blade. Very educational, apart from one session with Ashihara last year I’ve done almost no knife work.
Very good session, bloody good fun.