LEARNING TO
FOCUS
24
February, 2010
Hi Kids. In our Wednesday afternoon swordfighting classes
LEARNING TO FOCUS
is the main theme for the term. Focus is a mixture of concentration and
"listening". I will try to update this page every week.
- Kids in our class can use it to revise the lesson.
- Kids who are away can see what we did and catch up on some of
what
you missed.
- Ask questions on the form below and I will give the answers for
others to see.
- If you are not part of our group or a kid I know, you can ask
questions on the Contact Us
form and I'll email you, or on the CSG
Answers page. Only kids I know can communicate on this page, to
keep it
safe.
Focus your eyes
Focus your body
Focus your mind
In class this week we worked on not chatting to a mate when the teacher
is talking. Learning to focus is very important when you are using a
sharp sword, as we did this week to practise our thrusts. We practised:
Ci
Dian
Zhao
Remember to pass the sword with the tip up and the flat to both of you.
Remember to shift your hand to the pommel end and not let go until your
classmate has a good grip on the handle above your hand. When you step
into Zha, watch your get-away room, and don't step your foot into the
heel of the other foot.
Hate Wearing
a Helmet?
Yeah, me too. But I like
keeping my head. You are getting faster and better at swordfighting.
That means you're more likely to injure one another. While the fencing
masks have the disadvantage of reducing visibility and hearing, they
have the distinct advantages of protecting your teeth and eyes.
Also, if you aren't thinking about head or face injury, you can be
learning to focus on deflecting the strike and returning a better one
of your own.
Why Decorative Swords are for
Decoration
Only
If you would like to revise what I taught you about sword tangs, it's
all on this page about
Sword Hilt
Construction.
For those Learning Miao Dao
For Those Learning Section 5 Jian
Form
- Remember to keep your Mo sequence in an evenly cutting U Shape.
- The spin goes part way around on the heel and then the rest of
the way
on the toe.More information on that section 5 pivot. The left foot gets
involved as well, so it's like this.
1. From a feet together position, take a small step with your right
foot, touching the ground with the heel.
2. Step your left foot around it, transferring the spin on the right
from the heel to the toe (as we said).
3. As the right foot spin transfers to the toe, the left heel lands and
the spin is completed with the right toe and left heel pivoting on the
ground together.
4. Then take a sep to shoulder width apart with the right foot. This
evens up the stance ready for the next movement.
- When the sword is in horizontal position behind your back, keep
it
horizontal.
- Do your Hua cuts with intent.
Coming to the Seminars in April?
All of you and all who have been in our classes in the past can come to
the Kid's Swordsmanship Seminar on April 21. Fundraising is paying your
way and you will get another chance to help with selling Easter
chocolates in March.
Kids wanting to learn Emptyhand Taijiquan (Tai Chi), are welcome to be
at the Seminar with Scott Rodell on the weekend of 17-18 April.
Registration
information
is
here. This is free for kids who are or have been in
our classes. Fundraising covers your costs. This is good for those of
you who have already done some emptyhand training or form with me, or
for older ones willing to work hard. All your learning to focus will be
needed. Parents who want to attend are most welcome but will have to
pay.
Ask
your
Questions
Here
this
week. I'll make a special page for Kids
Questions and Answers and put it up soon.
Leave
Learning
to
Focus
24/2/10
and
Return
to
Learn
Online
Return to Chinese Swords
Guide Home