On Sunday 16th July Sensei Andy Major, 4th Dan, held a course for adults and junior brown belts on that favourite and popular martial arts weapon the Nunchaku (rice flail).
The first thing to learn was the different ways and angles that you could move the weapon through e.g.downward 45 degree’s strike/upwards 45 degree’s strike e.t.c.
Andy explained that like all weapons you used you should treat them like an extension of your body, if you think of a boxer performing upper cuts and hooks and jabs you should get the idea of the different ways of striking at a body.
After struggling with these basic moves we progressed onto putting them together as combinations trying to be as smooth as possible as the Nunchaku changed from hand to hand (it was just as well we were using the safety foam type) otherwise there would have been many sore elbows ribs and heads but the students were starting to get their act together and one or two of them were performing very well showing skill and confidence in their moves.
After an hour and a bit we then started trying to learn a Kata utilising the different moves that had been Practised earlier but with the changing of direction causing a few problems which made everyone start to concentrate even more on getting their distance and eye and hand co-ordination correct. Once again people started to look pretty good in their performance and as they got better the confidence showed through.
To finish off the course Andy then showed the difference between “twirling” the Nunchaku which he explained was a great way to increase eye and hand skills also focussing and concentrating on getting a nice smooth action that actually improved flexibility in the shoulders and upper body to actually hitting a target (in this case focus pads) as the recoil that was made when you struck an object changed the angle that you received the weapon back to your hand also it showed how devastating this weapon would be if it were to hit you.
After what was a fun filled course everyone was asking when the next one would be Andy said that after the summer holidays he would teach another one but said that like all things practice make perfect so get practising.
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