Page 12 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 54

12 May 2017 Issue #54 www.sportsenergynews.com

“People Pulling Together for you”

613.936.0660 • www.minimaxexpress.com
605 Education Rd. Cornwall, ON, K6H 6C7

Can You Help Identify These Guys? Karate Komments

his picture is the best I have of Some of the names in this photo
Tthe 1964 St. Andrews Peewee taken by Alex Mullen may be: Quail, Dealing with “Belt Test Stress”
hockey team. Lafave, McCarthy, Locke.

Recently, I was asked to come Any help would be great and
up with a glossy or better quality contact...thom_racine@hotmail.com By Jim Riddell,
reproduction and have been unable. … if you can help.

Seaway Karate Club

he goal of each and every karate student should be to someday earn a
Tblack belt. The path to that achievement is not short; it is one that will
take several years and will require numerous coloured belt tests along the
way.
At each of these belt gradings most students will experience a certain
degree of stress or pressure. First the student must understand the reasons
causing the stress and then formulate a game plan to reduce the pressure.
Here are a few of the grading preparation tips that we give to our students
at Seaway Karate:

1) Know the required material - all of it. If you don’t already have it written
St. Andrews Minors Win Trophies Photo Submitted
down, then it is your responsibility to do so. Know your katas – every one
up to the level that you are testing for and be prepared to present them.
PUT US ON YOUR Know your bunkai - this is the self-defence technique that is extracted from

the kata. Be prepared to explain and demonstrate the practical application
BUCKET LIST... of these moves with a partner.

2) Plan for mistakes – nerves at a belt grading can cause errors and you
have to be ready in case that happens. Any grading board that I have ever
sat on has looked favourably at a candidate that was able to fill in a missed
technique immediately with another that is suitable. This shows that you
understand what you are doing and can improvise in a given situation. If
the candidate makes a mistake and then stops, that tells the grading board
that he / she is relying on muscle memory only. When a mistake happens
you want to be able to use it to your advantage.
3) Work your weak areas – if you are having trouble with a certain component,
your instructor will know about it and it may become a focal point during
www.archiesgolf.com the grading. Prepare each component properly as all requirements are
there for a reason and are an important part of the journey towards black
Come Out & play With Us! belt. Recently one of our assistant instructors, Donna Wilson, had a few
additional tips for a group that she was helping to prepare for an upcoming
• Mini Putt grading. “Anxiety comes from what you don’t know; confidence comes
• Driving Range from knowledge and preparation. Practise, practise, and then practise some
more, - every kata, every day. Keep a class journal and write down what
• Par 3 Golf Course
you did, plus comments, quotes, suggestions, and concerns. Ask the senior
• Foot Golf Course belts about some of their previous gradings. Each grading is different and

• Golf Equipment We have the the more insight that you have the better prepared you will be”. Some
• Sales & Repair Best Ice Cream in students love belt tests, others may hate them, but either way they are an
Cornwall and the Counties!
e us on F
acebook
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Lik
• Golf Instruction (random gifts await our Likers) unavoidable part of karate. “Belt test stress” can be a tough obstacle for
some students, but it’s one that can be overcome with proper preparation.
1719 Vincent Massey Drive • Cornwall • 613-932-8255 KARATE QUOTE: Don’t limit your challenges - challenge your limits.