== Kumite practice on Wednesday 24th ==

The only way to get better at free-sparring is to practice. Let's get
together for another quick practice on Wednesday after class, at 8:30PM.
We are to do some drills followed by some free-sparring. It is
unfortunately the last class I'll be able to hold for a month, for I
am going away.

The regular prerequisites hold for free-sparring: You need to have
been training for at least 1 term, and you need to wear a mouthpiece,
gloves and groin protector.
No equipment is required for drills.

The following text is some food for thought. I hope it will come in
useful.

== How to get better ==

Here's a quote from Yagyū Munenori (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yagyū_Muneno
ri) about training:

Once you have trained yourself well, your body and limbs will move
automatically without any conscious effort.
Your mind will not be overwhelemed by your physical movements. You
will employ techniques uncounsciously without having to think.

Once you have attained this state of mind, not a single doubt nor
hesitation will arise.
Train yourself thoroughly and then forget about it. Throw away your
mind.

== Previously covered in kumite classes ==

The 6 criteria for awarding points in a competition are:

a) Good form
b) Sporting attitude
c) Vigorous application
d) Awareness
e) Good timing
f) Correct distance

During the 3 previous Kumite sessions we covered the following during
the drills:

* Distance:
- Finding your personal striking distance
- Gauging the opponent's striking distance

* Timing
- Counter-attack
- Simultaneous attack
- Preemptive strike

What is important is to think of defense when attacking and think of
attacking when defending.
Controlling your opponent with distance and striking with good timing
are good things to focus with for starters.

Tomorrow, we will focus on Zanshin (Awareness) while still working on
distance and timing.