Weekend Seminar in Onecote: 12th - 14th July 2002
Click the photos for larger versions. More photos can be found in the gallery.

Once more we found ourselves in the tiny village of Onecote in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside for a gathering of the Yongquan Tai Chi Chuan Association. This was the third Onecote and the first to be held in the summer months. Luckily we were suitably rewarded with bright sunny days on both the Saturday and the Sunday.

By coincidence we'd timed the weekend to coincide with the yearly Onecote village fete, so when we arrived the locals had the flags out to welcome us!

Training commenced early on Saturday in the village hall, (with the no-breakfast rule still firmly in place). The training was led by Sifu Rand and the emphasis was on the various forms of two-person training we practice within the YTCCA: touch sparing, technique sparing, push hands and full contact sparing.

Full contact training is reserved for Intermediate Level students, so for the majority of students the day was spent on the first three methods of training. Sifu Rand went into details on using the Xing Yi animal styles as 'coat-hangers' for developing fighting skills in technique sparring and spent time individually with each student to help them develop the animal style they'd been given to work with. The correct method of practice was emphasised at all times - touch sparring being practiced fast but without power and technique sparring done slowly (one third to a half of actual fighting speed) and again, without power.

As always the concept of practicing without speed or power proved much more difficult to actually do than it did to understand, but Sifu Rand (aided by Sifu Robertson and Sifu Kerr) was always on hand to help out.

After a gorgeous lunch cooked up by herbalist Sally Owen MNIMH (thanks Sally!) and a quick visit to the fete while our lunch went down training resumed in the afternoon with a look at sticky leg training, and some training methods designed to help the practice of throwing techniques.

In the evening Intermediate level students Mark Allyen and Graham Barlow volunteered to have a go at full contact training. With both students suitably padded up (proper protective gear is essential for this undertaking) the group headed an adjacent field (to ensure soft landings). After a minutes warm up each against Sifu Kerr (which as you'd expect proved more challenging than the actual bouts, even with Sifu Kerr generously holding back!) Mark and Graham had two rounds against each other. Both students handled themselves admirably, and while there's a long way to go for both of them Sifu Rand said he was very pleased with their efforts and their display of martial spirit.

The evening saw another lovely meal cooked up by Sally after which we watched highlights of the days events back from a camcorder then most people decided it was time for bed and headed off to their respective rooms.

Sunday training consisted of more touch sparring followed by a step-by-step walk though of the Choy Lee Fut form and applications by Sifu Kerr.

After another splendid lunch the group was treated to an impressive display of Iron Head Kung by Sifu Robertson, who had a kerbstone broken over his head by a hammer-wielding Sifu Kerr. Sifu Robertson made this extremely dangerous feat look easy and his level of relaxation throughout was a clear demonstration of his ability. Sifu Rand was very pleased as Sifu Robertson is the first of his most senior students to accomplish this feat.

Once again the Onecote weekend had proved to be a great success and an invaluable oportunity for students to get some real hands-on training with Sifu Rand. Thanks once again to Sifu Rand for leading the event, Sifus Kerr and Robertson for assisting and spending time with each student individually and thanks to Sally for providing a regular supply of culinary delights.

See you all next time!

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