Page 37 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 75

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #75 February 2019 37

The Cornwall Colts and all Brought to you by Rookez-Edge

Jr A teams across Canada Rookie of the Month

have hung banners to honour Riley Taggart
and pay tribute to the

Humboldt Broncos Age: 12 Grade: 7
School: St. Andrew’s
for the 20018/19 Season Home Town: Long Sault
February’s Rookie of the Month is Cornwall Typhoons
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Peewee Red player Riley Taggart. Riley really
impressed her coach, Michael Turcotte, this month.

“This is Riley’s first year playing hockey,” says Coach
Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
By Jim Riddell, Turcotte. “Starting hockey at the Peewee level can

Seaway Karate Club be quite difficult for many players. However this was
not a concern for Riley. From the start of the season
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she has improved tremendously and has proven to be a team player. In such a short
period of time, her skill level has excelled more than most players I have coached
over the past 20 years. She loves hockey, and it shows on the ice, both with her smile
Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
Karate Kicking Shields and her rapidly improving skill.”
Turcotte and his ladies are coming off a gold medal performance in the Kingston Ice
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The kicking shield is used today in almost every martial art dojo to Wolves Tournament.
help develop power in kicks, punches, strikes, and is also used for Riley’s favourite class is math.
other various drills. Striking shields were not invented by a martial
NOW OFFERING
Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
artist, but were borrowed from another sport - football. Martin IN HOUSE
Gilman of Gilman Gear, who was a pioneer in the development of
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football practice equipment, had several US patents on blockers and HEAT For Team & Corporate
PRESSING
shields dating back to 1939. Rumour has it that these shields were Sports Energy
used by some karate practitioners in the 1960’s, and when Jhoon Rhee NEEDS
Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
developed foam safety headgear, gloves, and kicks for martial artists
in the early 1970’s the manufacture of kicking shields for the industry 400 Second St. W. Cornwall
soon followed. 613-938-0001 • www.rookez-edge.com
Shields come in many different shapes sizes and thicknesses, but most Sports Energy
are approximately two feet in length, twelve to eighteen inches in Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
width, and are four to eight inches in thickness. They can be either
curved or straight and have straps and handles on the back and/or sides
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and top. Some shields are better constructed than others, but as to Sports Energy
which type is best it seems to come down to the personal preference of
the holder. Proper holding of the shield (or any other pad) is a skill that Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
is developed over time and is one that is important for student safety.
Training in the use of shields, focus mitts, muay Thai pads, and paddle Is a Publication of:
pads are all included in our instructor development program at Seaway
Karate.

The shield holder is responsible for inspecting the equipment before Editorial: Mike Piquette
it is used, making sure that there are no cracks, splits, or tears and mike@sportsenergynews.com
that all handles and straps are secure. If there are any issues with the
Editor: Margo Jankowski
shield it must either be repaired before using or replaced. There has Graphic Design: Lynn Dillabough,
to be a level of understanding that the pad holder is in charge at all
dillydesigns@eastlink.ca
times. He/she is the coach and will determine the height, distance, Business Development/Advertising: Mike Piquette,
and positioning for each strike. There are many drills that will require mike@sportsenergynews.com or 613-662-3654
combinations that will require two or more of kicks, punches, knees,
Sales: Gord Shaver
and/or elbows. This is where a good shield holder can make a great 613-362-8004 gordshaver@hotmail.com
workout or a poor one could ruin one. Holding the shield provides
Sales: Guy Lalonde
senior students with opportunity to help develop their coaching skills. 613-330-4930 guylalonde@cogeco.ca
Being completely focused on the kicker they will pick up on the little Sports Energy is a monthly publication covering the Greater Cornwall
things that need to be worked on to improve. The shield can be held in
Area. Our goal is to offer a quality, informative and enjoyable newspaper
a stationary position so that the same kick can be practised repetitively and website to our readership, focusing on the accomplishments of the
or shifted for semi-moving drills. There are also line drills where two
many gifted athletes and sports organizations in our area. The opinions
shield holders are working together, one or both moving a few inches, and statements of our writers and columnists are not necessarily the
subtly changing angles and forcing the kicker to alter and adapt their opinion of Sports Energy.
choice of techniques on the go. Using the kicking shield as a training
Sports Energy is always on the lookout for positive sports stories.
tool will provide a good cardio workout as well as improve power, If you have a story you feel is worthwhile sharing, please email to
balance, co-ordination, and judging distance. Martial artists can train
info@sportsenergynews.com.
all of their offensive techniques in a fun, safe, and challenging manner All suggestions will be considered but not necessarily printed.
while getting helpful feedback from the holder.
Visit us on the web at: www.sportsenergynews.com