Report – Pre-Dan Grade Course and Mock Grading.

Steve and I always try to think of new approaches when planning courses and the
idea of a Pre-Dan Grade training/mock grading was decided upon.
We held it in two parts, at two different venues, so we could cover a larger content
and make travelling a bit easier for the students. Session 1 was held at The Osprey
Leisure Centre, Portland in January and a good contingent of students from the
varying Clubs took part.
We decided to split the content over the two sessions. Part 1 covered all the Jun
techniques, including Tobikomizuki and Nagashizuki. After Shuto practice we went
on to Keri, this time focussing on Maegeri and Sokuto. As we had some junior grades
in the mix we covered some of the 5th/3rd Kyu Renketsu Dosa. We then went on to
Kata. Everyone trained in Pinan Shodan before separating into groups. Steve
concentrated on Naihanchi, Jitte and Rohai while I took the Seniors for Chinto. We
then went on to Pairs. This session concentrated on Kumite Gata Aigamae Soto/Uchi
and Kihons 1 to 3. They could then ascertain which areas needed the most work.
With Session 2 being two months later the students had the opportunity to work on
those areas in the meantime.
It was great to see a good turnout again at The Olympiad on 22nd March. Thanks to
Carol and Kiku Wa Jyuku for hosting. This time we focussed on the Gyaku
techniques, including Tobikomi Nagashi Gyakuzuki and Ayumi Ashi Gyakuzuki.
Kicks were Mawashigeri and Ushirogeri, followed by one of the 2nd Kyu Renketsu
Dosa.

We then went on to Kata, with everyone practising Pinan Yondan. The Juniors
continued with this practice, whilst Steve worked with the 1st Kyu and 1st Dans on
Kushanku and Jion. With a range of Senior Grades in my group, the students’
consensus was they would like to work on Bassai so this is what we did, with a final
run through on Wanshu. Next it was Pairs. This time the Kyu grades continued to
practice what they had covered in Session 1 while we introduced Kumite Gata
Gyakumae Soto for the Seniors and Kihon Gumite 8.
All too soon time was up and while the prospective mock Dan Grade candidates went
for a break, we held a Kyu Grading for two students from Kiku Wa Jyuku. Meg
Chatterton and Alex Watt were successful in attaining 1st and 2nd Kyu respectively.
During the break the students were given a selection of example Dan Grading
questions for them to discuss amongst themselves, before, the mock Dan Grading
commenced. This was a great opportunity for students to perform under strict
conditions alongside others from different clubs. Four students took the 1st Dan mock
exam – two from Ken Bu Jyuku and two from Kiku Wa Jyuku. It was then the turn
of three Dan Grades to perform the 2nd and 3rd Dan syllabuses respectively.
Afterwards all the participants were given feedback, ensuring they had plenty to work
on for the future. It was a really useful learning curve, both for those taking the mock
Grading, and for those spectating. Hopefully the students will feel the benefit when
they come to take the Dan Gradings for real.
Pam Rawson
24/3/25