Traditional warmup followed by basics in stances marching up and down. Gosh I havent done this for a while. (But at least this version is more flowing). Stretching.
Then the group of 16 is split into four lines of 4. A series of drills where you rotate around, ten reps, so 160 of each. This was a progressive combo with sabaki and high round kicks, and a little repeat of Monday night’s sabaki-takedown stuff. Hard and fast. The damn blackbelts were tough as – nice bruising on my wrists from guarding against head kicks.
Challenging, enjoyable.
Relaxed arm — absorb and move — soft intercept — less impact — less bruising.
If they say stand and block it — walk away.
Just my opinion
The bruising has mainly come from my guard – held up against high round kicks, just catching me on the bone of my wrist, my arm position not quite right. Fixed of course, nothing like a few whacks to finetune that sort of thing. Couple of those guys have incredibly bony shins.
A few days later the bruising hasnt come up badly so there is some conditioning, very pleasing.
Still you are completely right about the soft intercept, my arms not relaxed at all.