Today was my second class since bastardgate. I am immensely proud of how the guys have pulled together, found a venue and generally been the club in a time that could have resulted in complete destruction.
I am slowly feeling my way through being the lead instructor and responsible adult. It's difficult to bring my vision into the lessons and to create a structure that provides solid growth and access for newbies. I don't have a library of drills yet.. I will.. but right now it's memories of stuff that worked for me. The principle based approach is being received well, allowing the guys to find their style without being tied to plays and manuscripts.
Don't get me wrong, the manuscripts are important but I am taking the traditional English Approach of stealing everything that isn't nailed down, then a crowbar for the stuff that is. Hopefully I am also allowing people to know what is martially sound even if they don't have the names.
I was not happy with last week's lesson. I have had feedback that matches my feelings about what I did wrong. Which means that how I feel about today's lesson and my aims are good.
Lesson 1: Stuff about binding, general burbling. Drills that were vague and incomplete.
Lesson 2: 'bog standard volte' to start as a warm up more for me than the guys, changing partners and watching how everyone works together.
Look at where the volte didn't work.
Use of footwork to control the hit and prevent the volte from being an option.
Stage one of asymmetric distance drills vs sword (void)
Freeplay/revisit drills.
The asymmetric distance drill is going to be a staple. There's growth in there- 2 extra stages to be switched in when circumstances allow. It allows flow work and form from the attacker and helps with kinaesthetics for the defender.
In all, I am happy with that as a lesson on distance.
