by Norm Abrahamson » Mon May 09, 2005 7:00 pm
AAAhmed46,
Thanks for the response. There was no mention of Shotokan in the classes I took. Bob Platukis taught the classes on the Clark University Campus and at the Worcester Y. I went to both places so I got an interesting mix of people to train with. The university students had a tendency to stay for a half dozen classes and disappear at mid terms. The folks who trained at the Y were more serious.
We did a lot of forms, two man drills and sparring. I did a little bit with the bo as well. The higher ranking students sometimes trained with the Kukre, a short curved sword, but I was not of high enough rank.
The two man drills were mostly reaction type drills rather than a long fighting set such as Kyu or Dan Kumite. We would line up across from someone, one side would attack, and the other defend and counter. At first, the attacks and counters would be given prior to the attack. Then only an area for an attack would be given (high, middle, low). Eventually, the attack would be dealer's choice. The defender simply tried to counter without getting creamed.
Dr. Gyi came from Ohio to spend a semester at Harvard. I don't know why. He stayed with Mr. Platukis and taught a few of our classes. He was very interesting and very powerful, especially for a small man. In the few classes I took with him, the focus was on learning one or two techniques and practicing them.
Sincerely,
Norm Abrahamson