This year's midwinter break indoor funshop was presented and instructed by Grandmaster Crandall and the staff at the American Martial Arts Institute at the main Utica location with assitance from Junior Rank Black Belts. The program offered instruction in areas not normally covered in weekly classes, and as a result of the unique content and detail of this seminar, all day attendance in this program credited students participating with four weeks of the minimal required time for their next belt rank testing.

Monday, February 20th

The funshop began with stretching led by Junior Rank Black Belt Assisting Instructor (Red Top) Jeremy Cellini. After the students were all warmed up, Mr. Fiore led the students through a half-hour class on horse stance center punch with side punches, high and low punches, and moving in a horse stance while using varying hand techniques. For students who were not familiar with the rules of chess, Grandmaster Crandall took time to teach them the fundamentals of the game.

Next, the students broke up into groups by belt rank for a full one-hour class on the first 30 basic forms in American Eagle Style that are pictured in the school's second edition textbook. Mrs. Freleigh, Mrs. M. Stalloch, Mr. E. Stalloch, Mr. Fiore, and Grandmaster Crandall all instructed a group. Yellow belts learned any of the 30 basic forms that they had not yet received in regular classes, and all other ranks enjoyed detailed instruction on how to properly execute each tecnhique and how to apply those techniques.

After two physically active hours, the students all sat down for a discussion about how chess is like life. This class on martial arts philosophy and chess strategy helped students to reflect on the decisions they make every day. This was followed by the first round of the chess tournament. Students were paired up by a random drawing of names. Students who finished the first round early were able to practice another game, watch the continuing competition, or practice their katas.

Then students took the first written examination for the academic competition.

The break for lunch let students socialize, practice chess, read, and practice their katas and basic forms.

After lunch, the students warmed up with a fifteen minute stretching session followed by an hour class on the student's highest katas. Students worked in small groups with one of the five instructors. The next hour was devoted to a sparring class. Students learned about good sparring skills, combination techniques, how to move in ring, and other skills. They practiced sparring different partners while other students watched in the horseshoe format, learning from each other. Points were called in practice for the sparring competition.

The final class of the day was on take-downs from a grab. These were the same takedowns shown on the Learn Takedowns Plus Counters Against a Knife and Gun instructional DVD for American Eagle Style.

The class bowed out, and while students waited for their parents to pick them up and take them home, they had one last opportunity to practice chess for the next day's competition and to practice katas on the training hall floor.

Tuesday, February 21st

After bowing in, the class was led through stretching, punches, and kicks by Jeremy Cellini, a junior rank black belt. This was followed by a class on the history of martial arts styles and our school in particular.

Next, Mr. John Freleigh, a certified Music Teacher, taught a class on music and the instruments of the Brass Family. Every student was given a booklet with detailed information on the instruments. Mr. Freleigh brought in several of his own instruments for demonstration and discussion including a trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone horn, and a violin from 1795! Mr. Freleigh and Jeremy Cellini played a duet with the violins, and Douglas Hotvedt and John Freleigh also played a piece together. Students were allowed to ask questions and take notes for the written exam later in the day.

The music class was followed by the first round of the sparring competition. Black belt instructors called points while Grandmaster Crandall acted as center ring judge. After an hour of exciting and friendly competition, the students broke for lunch.

After lunch the students were led through stretching and began the second round the chess competition. Students who were no longer in the running still enjoyed playing matches against other students and practicing katas.

The chess competition ended for the day, and the students moved into the tumbling class covering shoulder rolls, backward rolls, cart-wheels, round-offs, and "meet Mr. floor." This class prepared the students for the timed obstacle course competition. Students had to demonstrate all of the tumbling skills multiple times, punch and kick bags several times, jump on a trampoline, walk a balancing beam, hold an L-format on the low parallel bars, and execute Ippon-Kumites. It was an exciting competition, and the students had a great time cheering on each other.

From the excitement of the obstacle course, students attended a one-hour class with Mr. E. Stalloch, who is also a certified science teacher, on Upper Body Skeletal Structure. The students learned the bones of the upper body using magnets, a life sized skeleton, and coloring pages. After learning several bones and joints, the students learned which bones are effected by different Ippon Kumites, basic forms, and other martial arts techniques including SD-1 and SD-2. Mr. Cummings helped in the demonstration of these techniques.

The students took a second written examination, continuing the academic competition.

The last event of the day was "whack-a-doo" karate. This game puts two teams of students against one another with sparring gear and padded blockers. The object is to move a balloon across the other team's goal line where there are defenders. It is a great exercise to build motor coorination and to strengthen the cardiovascular system. The students had a great time.

As the second day came to a close, the students practiced chess and katas while they waited for their parents to arrive and take them home.

Wednesday, February 22nd

Wednesay was the final day for the funshop, and it was filled with action. After streteching, punches, kicks and basic forms, the students practiced self-defense. Then the students went into the final round of chess competition.

After several excellent games, the final match came down to Morgan Weber and Nick Barone. The two shook hands and began a careful game of skill and strategy on a special chess board and table where the students could watch quietly. Some chose to practice in the front of the room. In the end, Morgan took first place, and the two brown belts shook hands and congratulated each other for an excellent game.

After the chess competition had ended, students practiced katas. Mats were set up and the students were able to practice takedowns, tumbling, gun and knife self-defense and other skills they had been working on over the past week.

The lunch break allowed students a chance to practice more chess, read, socialize, and practice katas.

Lunch ended and the students stretched before sitting down with Grandmaster Crandall for a special class on martial arts manners. This class covered the school's rules and regulations, respect, and other complex concepts in being a respectful martial artist in daily life.

Next was the final round of the sparring competition. Students cheered each other on and enjoyed several excellent matches to determine who would place first, second, and third. This was followed by the cumulative and final written exam to determine the academic competition winner.

The students then put their sparring gear back on one last time for a long game of whack-a-doo karate. It was an intense competition, and the students again had a wonderful time.

Finally, it was time for the trophy presentations.

Chess Competition First Place--------Morgan Weber Second Place-----Nick Barone
	Sparring Competition First Place--------Mike Dubiel Second Place-----Nick Barone Third Place-------Morgan Weber
Academic Competition First Place--------Philip Spiridigloizzi Second Place-----Morgan Weber Third Place------- Zachary Blowers

Obstacle Course

First Place Female Student-----Currey Nelson
First Place Male Student-------Nick Barone

Most Effort in Whack-A-Doo Competition

Female Student-----Grace Friedel
Male Student-------Ryan Payne

Most Helpful in Promoting Positive Attitudes

Jessica Hodkinson

Many other awards and prizes were given out during the week for outstanding spirit, respect, and other recognitions. Students who had recently tested also received their belts at the funshop. The three day seminar brought the students closer together, strengthened their mental and physical martial arts skills, and was a fun experience for everyone who attended.

Students who participated:

The next Funshop will be offered in February 2007 for 6-12 year olds of all ranks.

The next Teenage seminar day will be offered in late 2007 for 13-17 year olds.