Tuesday, March 21, 2006
A while back we were approached by the RPI Air Force ROTC and asked if we could do a short self-defense program for their cadets. Grand Master Crandall came down from Utica Monday night and Tuesday morning, bright and way too early, a bunch of us headed over to RPI to do the program.
GMC started off talking to the cadets about some of the historical background and the original purpose of martial arts, and drew some comparisons with their future service in the Air Force. I have no clue how interested they were in that info, but they were attentive and focused the whole time he was talking. That was something which became even more apparent when we got into the physical portion of the program - we've worked with many great groups over the years, but I don't know that we've ever worked with one this disciplined and focused before.
After that it was time to get physical! Master Hillicoss took the group through some quick stretching and then punches and center kick/side kick as a warm up. After that they paired up and GMC ran them through a number of basic self-defense techniques - defending against wrist grabs, a punch to the face, bear hug from behind, and against someone with a handgun in front. Unfortunately, the time passed all too quickly and it was time for many of the cadets to head off to ther next academic class. They were definitely a fun group to work with - with luck they'll ask us back again next year!
JMH
GMC speaks to the group
defending against a cross wrist grab
Master Hillicoss heads toward the mat
defending against a handgun
