Karate Coaching Qualifications
Late last year our club organised another English Karate Federation Coaching course. It was run by Sensei Harold Stephenson, aided by Teesside University Lecturer Sensei Ciaron Flood, both from the TASK association. I think having an assessor come in from another association worked really well, it gave us a fresh perspective and for me personally (as the admin for the club) it was like being audited – were we doing everything we should be? I don’t think an in-house assessment has the same effect.
The event was just a refresher for the five senior club instructors (But we still learned a lot!) but it also allowed us to get two of our up and coming guys qualified as Level 1 Coaches. We’ve now got seven fully qualified Karate instructors at Hartlepool Wadokai.
The instructors are:
Lynne Jorgeson, 4th Dan; Michael Jorgeson, 2nd Dan; Carl Jorgeson, 3rd Dan; Amy Jorgeson, 2nd Dan; Vince Dawkins, 1st Dan; Beth Gray, 1st Dan; Roy Salmons, 2nd Kyu.
We’ve also got a number of junior instructors at the club too, though they are too young to take the EKF qualifications at the moment.
I know that some of the ‘old boys’ of Karate think that these types of qualifications are worthless in the dojo and to some extent I do actually agree with them. Will these pieces of paper make any of our club coaches better? probably not. Though our club has a very thorough coach development system in place and a very strong partnership with the Hartlepool College of Further Education and The Hartlepool Sporting Association, two of our coaches have also got degrees in Sports Coaching – so I’d say we’re ahead of the curve when it comes to best practise etc…
What these qualifications do though, is ensure that Karate clubs are meeting a minimum safe standard and are operating properly and this can’t be a bad thing for Karate. It also ensures that coaches have the basic tools to teach – If we can’t pass on what we know effectively then the Martial Art/Sport is dead. I think every ‘Sensei’ should achieve these qualifications as a minimum and hope to see more of these courses run in the future by the EKF.
Having a black belt around your waist doesn’t mean you know how to teach and it certainly isn’t a coaching qualification.
This aspect of Karate training is just as important as the technical side so don’t neglect it!
Hartlepool Wadokai Beginners Karate Championships
Saturday 23rd June 2012 – Hartlepool College of Further Education
This was only our second ever competition exclusively for our beginners. The event was held to be a stepping stone to some of our bigger competitions that we now run annually and was designed to be a low key affair, with none of the bells and whistles that we usually have at our events. We didn’t want to intimidate our inexperienced competitors. The event was also used as a training opportunity for our cadets to get some judging practise in. They all worked hard throughout the day and we’d like to thank them once again for their efforts.
The event started at 11am with Sensei Amy putting all the competitors through their paces, going over the kata moves they would need during the day. Overall the competition was quite relaxed, and we took our time between categories so that the young competitors could get themselves ready. Before the Kumite (fighting) categories started, we had an exhibition match between two of our Wadokai England squad members, Lewis and Phil. And Chris gave a demo of the Kick Master Kumite too.
It was great to see some great potential in the young-lings, with some as young as five years old already moving around the mat like they own the place. I think the future is bright for our club.
Results:
KA1 – Kata, White Belts, White & Red Belts
1st – Harry Newbury
2nd – Alfie Ogden
3rd – Sarah Shears
3rd – AJ Murray
KA2 – Kata, Red Belts
1st – Connor Shepherd
2nd – Tyler Vaughan
3rd – Jacob Hodgson
3rd – Leyton Davis
KA3 – Kata, Yellow Belts, Orange Belts
1st – Oakley Lindridge
2nd – Khushru Khasimai
3rd – Jack Solomon
3rd – Joseph Flounders
KA4 – Kata, Seniors
1st – Chris Lindridge
2nd – Roy Salmons
KM1 – Kick Master Kumite,
White & Red Belts
1st – Joshua Martindale
2nd – Alfie Ogden
3rd – AJ Murray
3rd – Will Davidson
KM2 – Kick Master Kumite, Red Belts, Yellow Belts, Orange Belts
1st – Rebecca Caygill
2nd – Joseph Flounders
3rd – Leyton Davis
3rd – Khushru Khasimai
KU1 – Kumite, White Belts,
White & Red Belts
1st – Harry Nebury
2nd – Harvey Allicante
3rd – Sarah Shears
3rd – AJ Murray
KU2 – Kumite, Red Belts
1st – Callum Pedley
2nd – Connor Shepherd
3rd – Jacob Hodgson
3rd – Tyler Vaughan
KU3 – Kumite, Yellow Belts, Orange Belts
1st – Oakley Lindridge
2nd – Abby Laidler
3rd – Rebecca Caygill
3rd – Khushru Khasimai
I know that some of the kids were disappointed that they didn’t manage to get medals, or they didn’t get as far as they’d hoped, but sadly, not everyone can win. I personally think that you can learn just as much from losing as you can from winning, perhaps even more and I was sure to remind all the competitors of this before we let them go home.
Finally, I’d like to thank all of the parents and students for entering the competition (especially on the same weekend as a club grading!), and all of the club officials and volunteers who helped fetch and carry the equipment (the dedicated few!) and also the Hartlepool Sporting Association and Hartlepool College of Further Education for the use of a fantastic venue.
1st EKF Kyu Grade Karate Championships
We left Hartlepool two hours before dawn (approx 6am) on a very cold, wet and windy Sunday morning (22nd Jan). Ponds Forge in Sheffield was the venue of the 1st English Karate Federation Kyu Grade Karate Championships so, Sheffield was where we were heading!
Apart from being unable to find somewhere to park the mini-bus (gratefully borrowed from Hartlepool College of Further Education) the journey was uneventful. The competitors signed in and got changed, the parents tried to get comfortable on the seating and Lynne and Carl reported to the chief referee to find out where we would be working (Judging) all day. Amy (coach) then briefed the competitors and made sure they were ready for the day.
The day was pretty well organised and was done and dusted in about 9 hours, not bad for such a large entry! I think we could have easily shaved at least an hour off the day if it wasn’t for the usual time-wasting issues at competitions: kids not turning up when they’re supposed to, with incorrect equipment, occasional admin errors etc… but no competition is ever perfect.
This was the second time I’d helped judge at an EKF comp and a first for Lynne and we both thoroughly enjoyed it, even though it was like working in an oven – for 9 hours!!
The three competitors (Lewis, Phil, Bailey) that entered from our club did very well in Kata and Kumite despite the fact that this was the first EKF competition any of them had entered. We entered expecting zero medals, we just wanted to get some competitors on the mat as early as possible so that we had something to work on early in the season.
Results are as follows:
Phil Salmons: 3rd Place – Team Kumite, Boys 12-13yrs
Lewis Muldown: 3rd Place – Team Kumite, Boys 12-13yrs
Lewis Muldown: 3rd Place – Individual Kumite, Boys 12-13yrs -45kg
Bailey Reed: 3rd Place – Team Kumite, Boys 12-13yrs
Bailey Reed: 3rd Place – Individual Kata, Boys 12-13yrs
Bailey Reed: 2nd Place – Individual Kumite, Boys 12-13yrs +45kg
We got back to Hartlepool at about 9.30pm making it a mammoth 15.5 hour day and the longest ‘Karate day’ our trio of competitors have faced so far.
Key Learnings: The competitors need to work on keeping energy and hydration levels constant throughout the day by eating and drinking correctly to ensure peak performance.
Next Event: Wadokai England Squad Training, Saturday 28th January – Leicester; EKF Referee Training, Sunday 29th January, Barnsley
Summary: We were a little disappointed to only field 3 competitors at this event despite having a pretty big club, those that didn’t attend missed a great opportunity to get some time on the mats. There is still a lot of work to do with all three competitors in Kata & Kumite but each performed well and if they keep up the hard work and enthusiasm then the future should be bright for them.
Motivation
As part of my Sports Coaching & Exercise Degree at Hartlepool College of FE I get access to the very latest scientific research etc… but every so often (like about 10 mins ago) you come across a journal that was published years ago but still identifies with today.
The journal in question is ‘Phsyical Activity and Intrinsic Motivation‘ by James R. Whitehead, which was published in 1993.
The name is self explanatory, and the journal starts with a great quote which I’ve copied below:
‘Children are born intrinsically motivated to be physically active . That motivation —if kept alive by physical success, freedom, and fun—will do more than promote the fitness behaviors that add years to life. It will maintain the physical zest that adds life to the years’
I particularly liked the ‘Applying Theory to Practise’ paragraphs as they are simple snippets of information that can make a massive difference to us as instructors/coaches/Sensei when delivering sessions.
1. DO try to emphasise individual mastery
The full journal can be accessed here for free: http://www.fitness.gov/publications/digests/intrinsic.pdf for those who would like to read it. I’m sure you can download it and read it on your kindle!
Fitness testing Part 2
Tonight we carried out a number of sport science tests on our competitors. These tests form part of Sensei Carl’s ‘Analysis of Sports Performance’ module in his Sports Coaching & Exercise Degree at Hartlepool College Of Further Education.
The tests were as follows:
The ‘illinois agility run test‘, Power on an electronic shield with Gyakuzuki (reverse punch). And finally we recorded a number of kumite matches from each fighter. This will be analysed by the clubs referee’s over the holidays for favourite techniques used, scoring techniques, movement patterns etc… and areas of improvement.
All this data will be used as part of the 2012 squad training program for our competitors.
(Special thanks to Mikaela White for working the video camera)
Committee Meeting Highlights – Important pricing information –
Thursday 15th September 2011,
The club committee were given a tour of the new £53million college campus by Head of Sport, Mr Shaun Hope and we are very grateful. After the tour we sat down in one of the very smart new conference rooms for a committee meeting. Highlights of the meeting:
- The success of the club fundraising team, over £2000 raised so far this year (Up to September) for various charities including the Japan Tsunami Relief, Clic Sargent and Sport/Comic Relief.
- Fundraising for the club has allowed us to pay for almost all travelling to external training courses/events so far this year (Over £3000 so far)
- Hall Hire Increases at Belle Vue Sports Centre & General increases in operating costs (due in part to the 20% vat rate) have led to a slight increase in lesson prices, effective from 1st October. 1 hour = £3.50(+50p) / 1.5 hours = £4.00 (+50p) / 2 hours = £5.00 (+£1.50). Pay Monthly will continue to be offered as a reward to those who wish to train more frequently.
- Committee Personnel – The club is now looking for additional volunteers to help out, and perhaps become members of the committee, please speak to Julie Salmons for more information.
- AGM – set for Wednesday 9th November at Owton Manor Primary School, 7-9pm. All items for the agenda must be submitted in writing/via email no later than Friday 21st October.
- Lesson Plans are continuing to be used effectively, we’ve now adopted a streamlined ‘schedule of work’ which simplifies the process significantly. For more information on this please speak to an instructor.
- Grading Application Forms: These are now compulsory for ALL students wishing to take a belt test.
- 2012 Events – Some HW dates have been set already, we are awaiting confirmation of event dates from Aiwakai to finalise the rest.
Hartlepool Wadokai Events Calendar download
Feel free to download the latest edition of the Hartlepool Wadokai Club Calendar. Also don’t forget to pass it on to anyone who may be interested.
HW Calendar 2011 – CLUB COPY – SEPTEMBER – PDF 164kb
HW Calendar 2011 – CLUB COPY – SEPTEMBER – MSWord 282kb
HSA Membership ‘Introductory Offer’ Fitness Suite Membership
Tonight some members of the club visited the town’s brand new £53m Hartlepool College of Further Education. The college has only been opened to the public for 3 days so everything is still shiny, and they are still receiving deliveries of some of the kit that will make the place truly world class.
How many college’s have their own aircraft hanger? or Cryospa – as used by the New York Jets and AC Milan?
The building is truly breathtaking and is ideally placed in the centre of town – the views from the top floor are great!
Anyway, as our Karate club is a member of the Hartlepool Sporting Association we have been offered exclusive membership rates to the brand new gym at the college – The Luminary.
The deal is £120.00 annual membership (Paid over 6 monthly direct debit instalments of £20 for the first 6 months), the offer is available until 30th September 2011.
This also includes a free induction, individual training plans, group exercise classes and discounts on Sports Therapy and Beauty Therapy sessions at the college.
This offer is available to EVERY member over 14 years old, and their parents*. For more information please speak to Carl or Vince.
*Under the terms of our club constitution, parents of students under 16yrs old are classed as members.
