There was an excellent turnout at the USKFI Autumn Black and Brown Belt Course with Sensei Frank Brennan, 7^th Dan, last weekend. Approximately 70 karateka availed of over 3 hours training with Sensei Brennan which was divided into two separate classes. In the first class, Sensei worked on basic combinations, emphasising technical detail in each movement. This principle was carried on to the partner work where distance, speed and co-ordination of techniques were focused on. The brown belts then finished the class by working on kata Heian Godan while black belts worked on Empi.

After a short break, the second class began with an aerobic combination of techniques. Sensei Brennan then moved straight to kata where brown belts studied Bassai Dai while the black belts worked on Niju Shio. Sensei instructed the individual techniques of the kata in detail so students who did not know it well were able to complete it by the end of the class, while more senior students worked on the finer details of each movement or combination. 2^nd Dans and above then moved on to Sochin, working on the sequence and correct timing of techniques. 3^rd Dans and above then practised kata Chinte in the same details as the other katas. To finish, each groups performed the katas they had practised throughout the day, first at half-speed, then at full speed and power.

All those who attended agreed both classes were of great benefit, with lower grades learning new katas or techniques and higher grades able to work on and refine theirs. Thanks to all those who made the effort to travel over from Scotland, England and Wales to train. Sensei Brennan returns to Dublin along with Sensei Sherry for the Dan grading on November 14^th.