Change to RED TAG syllabus

Dear ECKD Students. As you know the main difference between ECKD and ‘traditional’ Martial Arts is that all OUR techniques are based on ‘Self Defence’, and I have always strived (within the limitations of safe practice) to teach techniques relevant to the world we live in today as opposed to ‘traditional’ Martial Art techniques which were created for a bygone age far removed from our World! I have always believed (and many skilled Martial Artists I’ve known over the years agreed) that our Blue and Green TAG sylabus are ideal Self Defence tools. However, our RED TAG, (although containing all the essential blocking and striking techniques required) has an important weak point which is that the Forms and Speed drills require the student to ‘imagine’ or ‘understand’ the effect on an attacker their moves (kicks, punches and blocks etc) actually have. Many students find this difficult so just go through the motions perfectly well but without any understanding as to why they are doing the moves. Some students find it difficult to remember the moves, especially the young beginners and the very high grades, and very importantly, some students suffering from a physical limitation find some of the techniques very difficult to do well. It is my reasoning that although the moves are in themelves great self defence techniques, anything hard to do or remember will not be the automatic ‘go to’ technique a student will use in a highly stressful situation such as physical conflict! So my proposal is to continue teaching all the RED TAG techniques but not in their present format. Instead, perform them as real life ‘striking’ and ‘blocking’ techniques against focus mitts and shields. The techniques would be graded to belt levels just as the existing Forms are, but instead of having to remember a specific sequence of moves as happens at present each technique (say a punch, kick and block for example) will be perfected on focus mitts or shield being held by a partner. This gives the student physical ‘feedback’ of how to punch, kick and block effectively, its more fun, and easier to remember, and would be easier to mark at a grade. I know some students really struggle learning forms, others find them boring, and this proposal will solve those problems and at the same time fit nicely into our ‘Self Defence’ remit. I am always reluctant to make changes to our syllabus because overall it works! However, I believe we must move with the times, and keep our Martial Art relevant to the modern World we live in. So I am asking each and every student to give me a yes or no to the change in our RED TAG syllabus. This is ‘YOUR’ Martial Art so have your say. The majority either way will decide whether I go ahead or not with the RED TAG change. As far as I am concerned it is far easier to learn a skill if it is enjoyable, so your opinion really matters. We have the Green TAG (Defence Drill) and Blue TAG (Close Quarters) next so I would like your response as quickly as possible in case I need to prepare the new RED TAG syllabus. Simply tell me when you next attend class or phone / text (07919 356980), or email (info@eltham-ckd.co.uk) YES or NO to my proposal. Feel free to add any comment. I will take it from there. Your’s… John Edwards ECKD Founder & Head Instructor

Dear ECKD Students. As you know the main difference between ECKD and ‘traditional’ Martial Arts is that all OUR techniques are based on ‘Self Defence’, and I have always strived (within the limitations of safe practice) to teach techniques relevant to the world we live in today as opposed to ‘traditional’ Martial Art techniques which were created for a bygone age far removed from our World! I have always believed (and many skilled Martial Artists I’ve known over the years agreed) that our Blue and Green TAG sylabus are ideal Self Defence tools. However, our RED TAG, (although containing all the essential blocking and striking techniques required) has an important weak point which is that the Forms and Speed drills require the student to ‘imagine’ or ‘understand’ the effect on an attacker their moves (kicks, punches and blocks etc) actually have. Many students find this difficult so just go through the motions perfectly well but without any understanding as to why they are doing the moves. Some students find it difficult to remember the moves, especially the young beginners and the very high grades, and very importantly, some students suffering from a physical limitation find some of the techniques very difficult to do well. It is my reasoning that although the moves are in themelves great self defence techniques, anything hard to do or remember will not be the automatic ‘go to’ technique a student will use in a highly stressful situation such as physical conflict! So my proposal is to continue teaching all the RED TAG techniques but not in their present format. Instead, perform them as real life ‘striking’ and ‘blocking’ techniques against focus mitts and shields. The techniques would be graded to belt levels just as the existing Forms are, but instead of having to remember a specific sequence of moves as happens at present each technique (say a punch, kick and block for example) will be perfected on focus mitts or shield being held by a partner. This gives the student physical ‘feedback’ of how to punch, kick and block effectively, its more fun, and easier to remember, and would be easier to mark at a grade. I know some students really struggle learning forms, others find them boring, and this proposal will solve those problems and at the same time fit nicely into our ‘Self Defence’ remit. I am always reluctant to make changes to our syllabus because overall it works! However, I believe we must move with the times, and keep our Martial Art relevant to the modern World we live in. So I am asking each and every student to give me a yes or no to the change in our RED TAG syllabus. This is ‘YOUR’ Martial Art so have your say. The majority either way will decide whether I go ahead or not with the RED TAG change. As far as I am concerned it is far easier to learn a skill if it is enjoyable, so your opinion really matters. We have the Green TAG (Defence Drill) and Blue TAG (Close Quarters) next so I would like your response as quickly as possible in case I need to prepare the new RED TAG syllabus. Simply tell me when you next attend class or phone / text (07919 356980), or email (info@eltham-ckd.co.uk) YES or NO to my proposal. Feel free to add any comment. I will take it from there. Your’s… John Edwards ECKD Founder & Head Instructor

Change to RED TAG syllabus