More Drills

**Gene Williams** · 03-29-2006, 08:05

Some of you seemed to like the 1,000 punch drill. Here are some partner drills that I have my students do:

Form two lines facing each other on either side of the dojo. Starting off, designate one side defender (uke) and one side attacker (tori). The uke remains stationary while tori walks across the dojo toward him (I like for uke to have his back foot against the wall so he can only block or side step). For the first part of the drill, assign a technique (these should be SINGLE, COMMITTED TECHNIQUES, not combinations or point sparring stuff). For the first four drills, uke cannot move until tori attacks:
1) "Tori is going to attack with oi zuki (or gyakuzuki, mae geri, etc.) to the body whenever he feels he is within his striking range. Uke will block and counter with gyakuzuki to the body." This should be like kumite, with tori doing his best to hit and uke doing his best to block and hit. (This has to be done with some properly focused contact, not like point sparring.) After a while of this, move to this one:
2) "Now, this time, tori can attack with either oi zuki or mae geri to body. Uke may block or side step and counter with gyakuzuki to any target." Then move to:
3) "Tori can now attack with any technique to the body. Uke may defend with any technique to any target."
Next:
4)"Tori may attack in any manner he chooses; uke may defend in any manner." Next:
5) "Tori may attack in any manner, however, if uke feels tori comes within his striking distance before tori attacks, uke may pre-empt with any technique."
Then:
6) "Now, no designated tori and uke. Each line will walk toward the other. When either side feels they are within their striking distance, you may launch your attack. Person being attacked will defend in any manner. These MUST be committed, single attacks, not combinations."

The effectiveness of these drills depends on the class and the instructor. It has to be serious, no nonsense, hard stuff. Of course, it works best in a dojo full of seniors. But, you can't do that all the time, because the juniors need to be partnered with seniors some of the time. Always put women with men.
I usually do this in the middle or toward the end of class after lots of hard kata work or butt-busting basics.

Sensei, use your voice to drive the drill. Keep the pace brisk. NO TALKING or discussing. Sensei, DO NOT interrupt with corrections or BS talk about theory. In a class of dan, they should look like they are going to kill each other.

You should run this drill until even your most in shape seniors are putting their hands on their knees and breathing hard. Enjoy!

**rgoad** · 03-29-2006, 08:45

In your school I suppose instead of bowing the students clutch their fists to their chests and shout, "Nos Morituri Te Salutamus" (We who are about to die salute you!)

I could do that.

**Gene Williams** · 03-29-2006, 09:02

Originally Posted by rgoad

In your school I suppose instead of bowing the students clutch their fists to their chests and shout, "Nos Morituri Te Salutamus" (We who are about to die salute you!)

I could do that.

Veeeery funny, Richard, veeeeryyyy funny!!

Sic transit gloria!

**wildwills** · 03-29-2006, 09:11

Originally Posted by Gene Williams

Veeeery funny, Richard, veeeeryyyy funny!!

Sic transit gloria!

Ditto. Si finis bonus est, totum bonum erit.

**rgoad** · 03-29-2006, 09:13

So, let's all watch 'Tombstone' tonight!

**Gene Williams** · 03-29-2006, 09:37

"ad augusta per angusta."

**rgoad** · 03-29-2006, 09:54

fatti maschii, parole femine

**Gene Williams** · 03-29-2006, 10:26

Originally Posted by rgoad

fatti maschii, parole femine

That's ugly! Where did Maryland come up with that crap, anyway?

**rgoad** · 03-29-2006, 10:29

prima facie. Vincit omnia veritas.

**Gene Williams** · 03-29-2006, 10:34

Originally Posted by rgoad

prima facie. Vincit omnia veritas.

vincit qui se vincit...now, what about the drills, dammit, the drills!

**Bugeisha** · 03-29-2006, 11:02

...I like the drills.

**moogong** · 03-29-2006, 11:03

Talk about a thread drift from hell...how is it Gene hijacks his own threads??

**Gene Williams** · 03-29-2006, 12:02

Originally Posted by Gene Williams

Some of you seemed to like the 1,000 punch drill. Here are some partner drills that I have my students do:

Form two lines facing each other on either side of the dojo. Starting off, designate one side defender (uke) and one side attacker (tori). The uke remains stationary while tori walks across the dojo toward him (I like for uke to have his back foot against the wall so he can only block or side step). For the first part of the drill, assign a technique (these should be SINGLE, COMMITTED TECHNIQUES, not combinations or point sparring stuff). For the first four drills, uke cannot move until tori attacks:
1) "Tori is going to attack with oi zuki (or gyakuzuki, mae geri, etc.) to the body whenever he feels he is within his striking range. Uke will block and counter with gyakuzuki to the body." This should be like kumite, with tori doing his best to hit and uke doing his best to block and hit. (This has to be done with some properly focused contact, not like point sparring.) After a while of this, move to this one:
2) "Now, this time, tori can attack with either oi zuki or mae geri to body. Uke may block or side step and counter with gyakuzuki to any target." Then move to:
3) "Tori can now attack with any technique to the body. Uke may defend with any technique to any target."
Next:
4)"Tori may attack in any manner he chooses; uke may defend in any manner." Next:
5) "Tori may attack in any manner, however, if uke feels tori comes within his striking distance before tori attacks, uke may pre-empt with any technique."
Then:
6) "Now, no designated tori and uke. Each line will walk toward the other. When either side feels they are within their striking distance, you may launch your attack. Person being attacked will defend in any manner. These MUST be committed, single attacks, not combinations."

The effectiveness of these drills depends on the class and the instructor. It has to be serious, no nonsense, hard stuff. Of course, it works best in a dojo full of seniors. But, you can't do that all the time, because the juniors need to be partnered with seniors some of the time. Always put women with men.
I usually do this in the middle or toward the end of class after lots of hard kata work or butt-busting basics.

Sensei, use your voice to drive the drill. Keep the pace brisk. NO TALKING or discussing. Sensei, DO NOT interrupt with corrections or BS talk about theory. In a class of dan, they should look like they are going to kill each other.

You should run this drill until even your most in shape seniors are putting their hands on their knees and breathing hard. Enjoy!

As we were discussing...