AIMAA Scotland Master Camp 2013
April 15, 2013
AIMAA Scotland Master Camp 2013
AIMAA Scotland Master Camp 2013Date of Event: Sunday, April 15th, 2013 AIMAA Scotland is headed by Master John Kirkwood, directly appointed by World renowned martial artist and legend, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho. The association not only practices the ITF style of Taekwondo, but follows the AIMAA curriculum, making it diverse and groundbreaking within the martial arts. AIMAA incorporates boxing techniques, grappling and other elements within its curriculum, as well as the traditions of Taekwondo, which is deep at its roots. |
The Master Camp, the first of its kind in Europe, had a simple goal, and that was to empower all those in attendance with new skills, new knowledge and above all a chance to make new acquaintances within the martial arts, as this was attended by many from Norway, England, Scotland and Ireland! From our youngest 4 year old martial artist to our oldest member on the floor, no one was disappointed with the intense five hour training camp! Our day kicked off with an introduction to all the AIMAA Masters and International Masters and Instructors in attendance. After all the formalities we quickly got down to business of training.
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Our first Master kicking off the day’s activities was the AIMAA Ireland Technical Director, Master Michael Fitzgerald. Master Fitzgerald started his seminar with some stretching and a light warm up to get the blood flowing through the muscles! After this he quickly went onto various leg techniques and combinations to get everyone pumped up and flying on the floor! As the seminar progressed the students found themselves going through the one step techniques one by one, and also in reverse! Within AIMAA we have 55 one-step sparring and self defence moves, these moves have one thing in common, and that is that are defending against the exact same single punch from an attacker. The reason for this is that is a street situation, this is the most commonly used means of attach, so out of the 55 moves taught and developed by GM Hee Il Cho, there will be at least one that will suit you! Master Fitzgerald is an exceptional martial artist and everyone enjoyed his class. He took his time to explain the blocks, kicks and take downs within each one-step! Students followed his every move to ensure they learned each technique correctly! |
Our second seminar of the morning was with AIMAA Ireland Director, Master Peter Byrne. Master Byrne is a powerhouse in self defence and destruction and took the students through various self defence drills to get them used to the moves! Students worked in large groups, as well as with partners to perfect each self defence technique. In AIMAA we have implemented take downs, chokes, leg locks, arm locks and throws, which are not only to empower the student but also forms part of our testing curriculum. Students loved this class, as it drilled them in techniques already known, but also opened up new ones, which was thrilling to watch. Both children and adult students had fun and learnt so much within this one hour class, all under the exceptional instruction from Master Byrne. After a short lunch, students had time to reflect on what they had learnt so far, and it was great to hear a hall of buzzing students going over their favourite part so far!
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Our third seminar was hosted by our very own AIMAA Scotland Director, Master John Kirkwood. Master Kirkwood undertook a quick warm up and some stretching, before getting everyone to their feet and into kicking drills and combinations for sparring. Students paired off, working on strengthening the legs with plyometric exercises, which can give the competitor explosive and responsive moves when competing. The seminar covered combination kicks, such how to change from a front kick to a side kick! Also how to fake kicks to have the opponent open up target areas! All the students loved the techniques and combinations shown, as it gave them food for thought, allowing them to utilising their skills within the competition arena. Master Kirkwood also explained how to pick off opponents by reading their body language. |
Our last seminar of the day was with the AIMAA European Director, Master John Darcy. Master Darcy had every Master, Instructor and student bounding from one technique to another, exploding from one powerful punch to a kick, and everyone was pushed to the limits!
The line work not only incorporated fast explosive punches and kicking combinations, but also defensive moves such as shin and thigh kicks, for taking opponents down! It was an awesome seminar, and an awesome day of seminars!
As the day came to a close, it was clear that this had been a very successful event! Everyone was shattered, sweaty, aching, but more importantly they all had smiles etched on their faces, which spoke volumes to all watching!
Yes it had been a hard day of training, for most a gruelling 5 hours of excessive training, but a truly memorable day and one that they wanted to do all over again!
Master Kirkwood and everyone at AIMAA Scotland would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people for attending and making this camp awesome. We where very fortunate to have Master Morten Larsen, Sofie Rockseth, Mr Jason Davidson and his students attend this weekend all the way from Norway. They are great ambassadors of the martial arts and great friends.
Also in attendance were Mr. Salik Miah and Mr Paul Healy. Both AIMAA International instructors attended with students and we are truly grateful for their support. Last and not least, to all the AIMAA Scotland Instructors and students who supported this historical Master Camp. Only through their dedication do we drive forward our schools and association, and have the opportunity to host such great events.
We would also like to thank our AIMAA Masters: Master Darcy, Master Kirkwood, Master Byrne and Master Fitzgerald for supporting this event, and for taking the time to pass on their knowledge and skills to the students of AIMAA Scotland. Due to this being one of the best events we have hosted in Scotland and indeed Europe, we are proud to announce that this will be an annual event in Scotland, and the Masters will also be holding one in Ireland each year. Our next scheduled Master Camp will be held in 2014, and all information will be up on our website at AIMAASCOTLAND.COM later on in the year.
