6.7.2020 / Training course not only for European Championship

Preparation not only for European Championship

At the begining of the year head couch of the school GBHS master Martin Zámečník has reached out to me with an idea. He wanted to do 4 seminars as a preparation for Europe Championship in April in Prague. I agreed to helped him even though it consumed a lot of time, because collective preparation is always good and by letting blue and red belts come as well it got another purpose.

Each of the seminars were planed like this: first training with master Martin Zámečník before lunch and after lunch brake a second one with some of the best instructors in Czech Republic. I couldn't personally visit the first seminar hosting international instructor Milan Prokeš, but the feedback was great. In early February the second seminar hosting head couch of Czech National team- Jan Mraček took place. Several students of Sonkal attended the seminar.

The third and fourth seminar had to be postponed due to C-19, but we agreed to hold them, even though the European Championship was cancelled. Because of the small amount of time we had the third and fourth seminars eventually happened on the same weekend, 13th and 14th of June.

The first training on Saturday was led by master Martin Zámečník and with my assistance. The main focus was on patterns and technique. Because of Martins understanding of the technique and knowledge of the historical context of the technique the training was very interesting. At the and we did a few drills for sparring.

I led the afternoon training which was focused on movement for sparring. The wetter made climate in the gym similar to the one in tropical forest so the physically demanding exercises were even harder. We started with warm-up on athletic leaders, then we did some movement drills in pairs and then some solo sparring drills. At the end we did few short but intensive rounds of contact sparring.

I would like to praise all who attended the seminar for their commitment. A special thanks belongs to Ondra Faltin who helped me with demonstration of the drills.

A combination of masters Martin Zámečník and Rostislav Kaňka was waiting for us. Master Martin Zámečník led the training on Sunday morning. He combined technique, patterns and sparring drills.

Afternoon training was under the first owner of master degree in Czech Taekwon-do Rostislav Kaňka. The training was very energetic and the atmosphere was motivating. Everyone left with knowing what to work on. After getting through the lower patterns me and Martin split the lower belts and got again trough the things they were told to work on while the higher degrees were drilling the higher patterns and more complicated techniques. After a small brake we continued with sparring practice. For the whole weekend the rule that when you do something you enjoy time runs like a water held true.

All four trainings were intensive like a storm but the things we learned will stay in our head for a long time!

The biggest thanks belongs to master Martin Zámečník for coming up and then making this idea happened.

I would also like to point out Jiří Faltin and other veterans who attended the seminars and are a big inspiration for all with their perseverance and indomitable spirit.

Go watch videos and photos prepare by Alexander Mach! And you know what? Next time, come and train as well!