Tourney Kendo Bouts

Hi Guys follow the link below to see an example of Kendo 'Tourney Style'.
This was filmed on a phone so please excuse the quality and I am in the process of uploading 7 other bouts.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tksukma&search_type=&aq=f
Essentially its Kendo....but not as we know it.

I will upload more video content in the next few weeks so keep visiting.

Chris

Summer Tourney 2009

A call to all who wish to test their metal!

The Summer Tourney will be held on Thursday 23rd July 2009. For the first time weapons are allowed to be used. These will be limited to shinai, wooden knife for now however, we are looking at how we could involve, staff, short stick, nunchuku, chain weapons and spear. Anyone interested in weapons training should speak with Chris to discuss the possibilities.

The tourney is a forum to test your skills against 'live' opponents in a 'no rules' Scenario. The same agreements over the level of contact still apply and the appropriate safety gear must be worn at all times.

More details to follow.

Chris

Enter the Winter Tourney 2008

A call to arms for all those at TKS martial arts. The Winter Tourney will be held in December this Year with a slightly new format.

The Tourney will begin with demonstrations from all members as a declaration for their skill. You might want to create something yourself or perform one of the Komuso system forms. Whatever your choice use this as a means of showing off your prowess to opponents.

The set attack rounds will then commence a set attack is used to 'kick off' the match. Those of you who attended the other Tourneys will know these as the 'you looking at me rounds. This year the set pieces might be armed or unarmed depending purely upon your grade.

Finally the challenge rounds will begin; you can challenge anyone in the circle to a free fighting match. You can decide the level of contact however, juniors can only fight light or semi contact.

The tourney is a complete test of your skill, courage and control. Once you leave, you will know without any doubt, your ability to deal with any situation, your weaknesses and your strengths. Challenge yourself , push your abilities to the limits and enter the Tourney.

You will never really know if it works unless you use it!!

The Spring and Autumn Tourney

Honour, Courage and control! These are the words I would use to describe combatants at this years Spring and Autumn tourney.

An evening of explosive action with participants testing their abilities to the limit. Te evening began with the pre arranged attack section.

Combatants took turns in the centre of the circle, where they were grabbed, around the neck, from behind. Anyone in the circle could attack in this way or alternatively with a front throat grab to initiate the bout. Combatants then fought their way to freedom and defended themselves until time was called. There were numerous superb defences and without exception, all combatants fought like lions.

Next came the challenge rounds; where anyone could step into the centre of the circle and accept challenges. All rounds lasted a minimum of one minute and all were full on. Some remained in the circle for several rounds even taking on multiple opponents.

Special mention in dispatches go to Andrew "Fluff" and Dan Goodrum both of whom fought with extreme courage, tenacity and honour. Taking on all opponents regardless of size age or ability. Andrew, who achieved his Bronze Tourney medal, (awarded for thirty Tourney fights), was credited with fight of the night.

During which he took on Ian "the Coach", Chris "The Chief" and Mike "Searching Monk" in a tag match, by himself. Keep an eye on this boy there is more to be seen from him I feel.

Sam "the Hook" fought in 9 rounds to successfully achieve his Bronze medal unscathed, only to receive a black eye bumping into a little girl in the park! Duck Sam Duck!

Other notable mentions are Mike "Searching Monk" who dragged his old bones through 16 grueling rounds. So much for that bad hip! Gean, Penny, Dane and Erik for taking part in their first Tourney, overcoming the fear, doubt and a bad back to participate. There are to many to mention here but well done to you all.

I look forward to seeing you all in the Grand Summer Gathering in July.

Courage and Honour

Chris

Chris's Training Spot

Well as the spring an Autumn Tourney nears, I though I would give you a quick run down of my training sessions each week. It is important, when training, you set yourself personal goals. These need to be realistic (in as much as you have a cat in hells chance of achieving them) and should be both medium and long term. My goals are; medium term to increase strength and endurance and maintain technical skills along with effective practice., long term, to maintain fitness levels for as long as time will allow, given my increasing age!!

So this weeks schedule began on Monday.

Firstly I ran for 3 miles at a medium pace in a circular route from my abode. (I find running from home and then back home saves on taxi fares). I intend to increase the pace over time however, speed is not really the issue. (Although, greater than walking pace might help my goals).

Next I stretched for about ten mins to prepare my body for the oncoming onslaught.

Bagwork/wooden dummy training came next and this comprised;

3 mins bag- hands only,
3mins bag - legs onlly,
3 mins bag - all out.

Each round separated by 1 min jog on spot, to catch my breath you understand!

Then;

2 mins wooden man - bridge from upper section,
2mins wooden man - bridge from middle section,
2 mins wooden man - bridge from lower section.

Again these were interspersed with the breath regaining 1 min jog.

Finally, for this type of training at least;

1 min bag - all out 30sec jog,
1 min bag - all out and 30 sec jog,
1 min bag - all out and fall in a heap on the floor.

I cooled down from this activity by performing formms 1st through to fifth , stretched and meditated.

Tuesday evening came around far to quickly for my liking and so began;

The same 3 mile run, a little quicker to get the heart pumping,

Weights routine,

Bench Press - 50 kilos, 3 reps of 10
Pec Flys (fro bench), 30 kilos 3 reps of 10
Incline bench press - 30 kilos 3 reps of 10

Bent over rows - 30 kilos 3 reps of ten,
Seated bent over rows 3 reps of 10,
bench rows 30 kilos 3 reps of ten,

Three reps of 15 dips from bench,
Triceps Bar seated - 3 reps of 10 20 kilos.

It has to be said this all hurt rather allot.

Finally 3 times 1 minute all out rounds on the bag - stretch and meditate.

So with Tuesday out of the way came Wednesday and even more pain.

Mike came over and we started with 3 X 2 minute rounds on the bag with 3 X 2 minute rounds on the wooden dummy. Interspersed with 1 minute jogs to avoid cardio vascular collapse!! lol

We then retired to the garden patio armed with wooden knives for three X 2 Min rounds of knife work each. This involved one or the other of us attacking with a knife, whilst the opponent defended unarmed.

Finally we engaged in sword practice, with shinai ,as a cool down. This involved working through various preset attack/defence forms.

and so to Thursday;

Thursday night is club night and it had been my intention to do another weights session prior to attending the club however, I was just to tired!! A cop out I know but hey!

Thursdays club session was all about sparring and I was pleased to see all of you have raised the bar. Particular mention goes to Steve whose punch/kick combinations are really working now.

All the best til next time,

Chris

Let Battle Commence

Training for the Spring and Autumn Tourney has now begun. The gloves were off last Thursday as all members hardened themselves for the coming trial. Initially students will be conditioning and practiscing set routines however, as training progresses we will focus more on free fighting.

One word of caution guys! Training; is just that, training and it would be a shame if you were injured before the main event. Remember also contact is strictly agreed by both participants. It is not a given, full contact should be the order of the day. You must ask your partner how they wish to train. Safety is vital and ego is not.

Most important of all; there is absolutely no contact made to juniors. However, it is likely they will make contact with you!!

A great start guyskeep it up!! These were are a selection of pics from the session. They say everything better than I can.

Brains Not Brawn

The Autumn and winter gathering raised a number of points in my mind. I was very pleased to note that without exception everyone entered into the spirit of the Tourney. All combatants gave it their all without exception.

Two things for your consideration here;

Your level of fitness is vital for tourney fighting. If you are to tired to fight you are not going to perform at your best, How you perform in the tourney is a reflection of how you would perform outside, for real!! So for those who struggled with their fitness, the time is now!!

In the first section where rounds began with a grab and punch attack, it was interesting that 'in the heat of the moment' everyone opted to box their way out. There are a number of more efficient methods for dealing with this attack and we will be practising prior to the Spring/Summer gathering.

The komuso system is about developing practice through training. So do not be disheartened if you did not perform in the way you would have liked. Use the Tourney as a mirror for development where you can face your weaknesses and turn them into strengths.

Chris