This is a comfortable way to train in winter with plenty of space. After a long time, we allowed ourselves this luxury again in the Werder Halle in Schwerin. In addition to many familiar and loyal faces, we also had two new prospects this time, Elif and Wolfgang.
After a warm welcome, we started in the usual way in two groups and each according to their current level of performance. Arvid supported of course, as has been practiced in the meantime. The advanced group immediately used half the hall. Finally the form could be run in one piece. I started with the other group. Everyone had the chance to find their way in first. The training was very individualized. There was always a task as a connection to the previous knowledge. Everyone practiced hard. Earplugs were mandatory, the hall was booming. That's how it went until the first break.
Jana and Eve once again provided us with homemade delicacies. That alone would be a reason to be there. The second part was, as usual, playing. In technical terms referred to as target whipping. I had stretched a string through the hall with balloons hanging from it. They had to be hit and destroyed. Not as easy as it looks. Every direct hit was celebrated. Everyone tried to make it somehow. We also hung balloons as targets on the wooden stands. That was a bit easier, but not by much. When all the balloons were gone, stick aiming continued. The tireless ones practiced with the now proven beer coasters. That remains an inexhaustible highlight.
We needed the next break to clean and tidy up the battlefield. Then it was on to the third part. We repeated the level of knowledge from the first lesson and added something on top. I'm always amazed at the dedication and effort that goes into training. Every minute is worth the effort. In the last section of the training we dealt with close combat again. The first thing to do was to look at different ways of catching the whip. This means it can be used effectively at short range. But these movements also take time and practice. We will always repeat that. The real issue in close combat was the use of the left hand. This is logically derived from the Escrima. We trained the five variants to use enemy attacks to our advantage. Here again it could be seen that some with good previous experience used their knowledge professionally. Four hours passed far too quickly to consolidate the content in depth.We needed the next break to clean and tidy up the battlefield. Then it was on to the third part. We repeated the level of knowledge from the first lesson and added something on top. I'm always amazed at the dedication and effort that goes into training. Every minute is worth the effort. In the last section of the training we dealt with close combat again. The first thing to do was to look at different ways of catching the whip. This means it can be used effectively at short range. But these movements also take time and practice. We will always repeat that. The real issue in close combat was the use of the left hand. This is logically derived from the Escrima. We trained the five variants to use enemy attacks to our advantage. Here again it could be seen that some with good previous experience used their knowledge professionally. Four hours passed far too quickly to consolidate the content in depth.
Excited and a little exhausted, we said goodbye to continue the weekend. The next seminar will be a very special one. On May 20th we have Sr. GM Ron Lew as our guest. There everyone can learn from the founder of our style and talk to him personally. I think we're a little excited. In any case, we are really looking forward to this event. Many thanks, as always, to everyone who was there. For everyone else, the call to register from now on for the next time, it will be unique.