Training Journal

A journal of my martial arts training

Tag: parry

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse, Bryce, and Miriam. First class of 2026, stretch followed by requirements. I reviewed each student as well as going through all of my own requirements with Jesse. For each of them, we discussed what requirements they are lacking for their next rank and what we need to be working on with them over the next 3 – 6 months. During the break, we reviewed some of the various rank requirements. In particular, Miriam needs more matches, Bryce needs matches, dagger throwing, dodging 2, and a couple more moves, and Jesse needs one more move and his 20 minute non-stop. The first half ran long, so in the second half we only got in 100 full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes, and one round of unarmored switch parry for each of them.

    Temp was around 40 degrees and not raining.

  • WCOS

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    Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective full requirements. I then covered Advanced Neck Block as well as reviewed the Advanced Thrust Block. After the break, I examined Bryce’s steel and offered some observations and tips, then we did 50 continuous full circle cuts with steel (myself 2H), starting Bryce on his initial solo steel work. Next I instructed him on Kata Ni, after which we does several rounds of Silent Bokken and Unarmored Parry. I switched between 1H and 2H to cover both styles.

    I was really tired and feeling unmotivated before class, and I always appreciate how when I’m feeling that way, but I have to hold class regardless, once I get into actually running class, I most often feel a lot better. It is a testament to pushing yourself to do the thing even if you’re not feeling it because often it will help you feel better.

    (The last two weeks class was canceled, no students)

  • WCOS

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    Class with Chris. Stretch and then we went through our respective full requirements. I then instructed him on Warriors Stance and Whispering Wind (Green Braid version, essentially reverse JT2).

    After a break, we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), Refined Strikes, unarmored parry, and finished with Silent Bokken.

  • WCOS

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    Class with Miriam and Shamay. Stretch and then we all three did requirements together, round robin, which allowed me to demonstrate all my requirements for both of them. After a break, we did armored parry for the rest of the class.

    Mid-40s, intermittent rain, semi-slick conditions.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse, Miriam, Ben, and Aaliyah. Stretch and requirements. I reviewed Aaliyah and Miriam. As a class we worked on The Mantis, as new move for Aaliyah. After the break, we did a lot of light armored parry. I gave the students a variety of opponent types; hand-and-a-half, single handed, long sword, double hand axe, and for Jesse two sword. We wrapped up with 100 full circle cuts (myself and jesse with 2h steel).

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse B, Chris, Miriam, and Ben. Stretch and requirements. I reviewed Ben all the way through, then spot checked with Jesse and Miriam. I instructed the class on The Tradition, a new move for Ben and Miriam. After a break, we did 100 full circle cuts (Jesse and I steel, myself one handed + dagger). We then did light armored parry for a while (though for Ben, just parry, I didn’t have a large enough loaner helmet, will obtain one). We wrapped up with Balance 1 & 2, a course the students created tonight.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Risa. Stretch and once through our respective requirements (I used one handed for everything tonight). Took a break, then did continuous full circle cuts (myself 100 steel one handed while holding my steel dagger in off hand). Next we did a couple rounds of Refined Strikes, then a couple rounds of Add-On, and we finished with boffer parry (one attack, three attack, and switch variants).

    I had to cancel the last couple classes due to schedule conflicts.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Bryce. Stretch and then we both did White Rope requirements, myself matching him in one handed. We reviewed Akira and The Tradition then took a break. Afterward, we resumed with 100 continuous full circle cuts (bokken), followed by refined strikes, and then we donned helmets and mitts for Advanced Response training, switch Parry, Centered Cuts, and finished with a round of Add-On.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Chris. Stretch and our respective requirements, with him repeating his practiced moves a few times through. Focus work on one of his moves, then a break. After the break, we did just 50 continuous full circle cuts (myself steel), then a couple rounds of Add-On, then we donned helmets, mits, and legs for armored parry ( 1-attack, 3-attack, and switch- ).