Using Angles to Solve a Problem (diary entry)

24.01.2023 My teacher consultancy lesson for Athena School of Karate began a new block of lessons focusing solving a representative student problem. My client wanted to focus on teaching students to move offline in their sparring and to better handle more aggressive pressure fighters. We began with a look at the principles of pivoting on the spot (as with slips in this instance but also with rear hand straights and lead hooks), the pivot step (or v-step) and circling footwork. This began with slipping on the move to get off the attack line. Next we brought in covering to the power side with lead hand punches and then circling back to the blind side of an opponent. We layered in forward and backward footwork with straight punches used to bait an opponent into advancing with straight punches. From here we slipped from side to side until a strong blind side angle was created and the fighter could land a solid cross or overhand. At this point the fighter throws a succession of jabs punctuated with a solid lead hook as they circle to the power side. The combination sequence can then end with the fighter just circling back, perhaps bringing in a bob and weave action, or covering the circle back with a rear hand straight. This boxing-based combination was then presented with a kick-boxing or muay Thai version. Here the cross/overhand is paired with a switch round kick to the opponent's exposed body and that is followed up with a low rear leg round kick to the blind side of the opponent before going to the circling jabs/lead hook and circle back action. I also explained how grappling in the form of a blind side single leg and a power side double leg might be used in this combination but this is all for future lessons. The lesson finished with all the techniques stripped out of the sequence and only the footwork movements worked. I was happy to see the combinations were then immediately implemented in the lesson and will be used in future classes this week. Both young children and older students will be following this new block of lessons. So far feedback has been great with the kids picking up the basic idea extremely well. https://clubbchimera.com/services/