Discussion on IS08_fback_Tourney

[Amanda]

∆: 2 minute (timed!!!) fights. keep it shorter, make sure not to go
over time limit.
∆: make everyone stay for the entire tourn, let them know ahead of
time that we will probably go over time.

[Dean]

All right, I added those. I initially thought that we wouldn't have
to worry about going over time with two rings, but changed my mind
after I thought about the three normal divisions and the grand
champion division. Besides, if they're ready to stay late and they
get out on time, that gives us more time to pick up pizza, drinks,
etc.

We may want to make up just a few more flags, and perhaps decide on
how large to make the rings--though winging it kinda worked as well.

What about running one Kumite ring and one Kata ring at the same
time? I think Kumite is the longest, and we could probably get
through one division in Kumite while we get through the other two in
Kata (pending on # of students). This is how I've seen it at tourneys
(different divisions in different rings) and, if we have a guest judge
(i.e. Sensei C.), we can save the placing bouts for when he's done
with Kata. Thoughts?

[Amanda]

that might work.
the way it's done out here, you have a division (ie, colored belt
women) and they do their katas and then pad up and spar, all in one
ring... but there are other divisions going on in other rings at the
same time. i think more flags is an EXCELLENT idea. those things are
fun.

[Dean]

Riiiight...but your divisions are generally smaller, and there are
(like you said) all the other divisions going on simultaneously. PLUS
a tournament like that has all day to get done--we only have 2-2.5
hours (and even less this past time because we were waiting for Sensei
to arrive before we got started). And more flags means that every
judge gets to have one...I think the kids competing might think that
would be cool as well.

I'll add the 'make more flags' note under Delta I guess?

[Dean]

So I thought of a way to help with the "avoiding hunched over stance"
bit. We just need to go over a proper fighting stance. I know we
went over shizentai-dachi, and we briefly touched on where arms should
be, but I don't feel like we *REALLY* taught it. I'm talking, have
them all get in shizentai, get their hands up, move around a bit (I
saw Cynthia doing this a bit on the first day--which is good!). Then
we have some of our amazing instructors(TM) get up and play a "what's
wrong with this ____ stance?" game where we demonstrate EXACTLY the
hunched over stance...among others. Arms too high, too low, hunched
over, off-balance, etc. etc. I think that might help them get
it...and give them little refreshers and reminders if we see anything
during sparring on those days.

Alternatively, we could allow points for non-contact to the head--i.e.
pulled technique. I realize these guys don't really have a lot of
control, but it would give them better habits than making it so they
don't have to worry about the head at all. I know my first few weeks/
months in sparring situations after IMSA, I let my guard down all the
time--I wasn't used to it. And got a contact knocked out of my eye
with a good hook from a boxer for my trouble.

[Amanda]

hmm that might work. if pulled techniques to the head are allowed we
have to make them wear head gear. if we are really crazy we could
allow really light contact the the side/top of the head...(ie,
backfists) but either way if anything towards the head is allowed we
should make them wear head gear.

[Dean]

I'd rather not allow any contact at all to the head--wasn't there some
agreement we had to make with Bob about the Karate Club sparring?
Maybe in the grand champion division...

KC would have to get head gear if it doesn't have it already, and
we'll need to have sanitary wipes around to wipe the head gear when it
gets swapped--actually, we should do this with all the 'shared' gear,
for hygiene.