Funshop 2023

The Funshop is an annual event for our students ages 6-12 of all ranks.

This year the Funshop was held on February 20 and 21 from 9 am to 5 pm, and it was taught by Grandmaster Crandall and Headmaster Stalloch with assistance from several black belt instructors and red tops.

Here is just some of the fun and excitement from this year's Funshop:

MONDAY

Team Formation. The day began with thestudents will being put into their FunShop teams, which were chosen by randomly drawing names by rank so that each team would have a range of ranks. The students took time learn each other’s names and choose Team Name.

Following stretching the students were divided into groups by rank for a class on Basic Forms. Our style has 36 required basic forms, and the students worked on improving their overall skills or learning new ones.

Chess Class. Students will learned the rules of chess, demonstrated with large chess set by Headmaster Stalloch. Competition rules were reviewed, including rules for castling. Time was also taken discuss how chess is similar like life. For example, each decision can affect the next and that our choices have consequences.

Extension Tool Class. Our school teaches several different extension tools. Yellow belts and above are permitted to begin training in these (including bo, tonfa, sai, kama, escrima, sword, eku, halfmoon staff, cane, and others). There is also an annual weapon’s competition, and they are required for black belt level testings. The students each learned part of the kama, sword, or sai kata.

Chess Competition. 1st ROUND. The students played a round of chess to earn points for their team. After playing their first competition round, they played additional students and team members for casual rounds.

Lunch After the mornings excitement, the students sat together for lunch at tables in observation area of the training hall.

Karate-Man-Says. Karate-man-says is like “Simon-says.” The game challenged the students listening and martial arts skills.

Mat Pattern Class. Student teams worked together to put out the mats used for self defense and floor skill training. While this seems like a simple task, it helped to build leadership and teamwork skills with each team needed to cooperate to get a mat, put in the proper place in the room and open it in the correct orientation. They also had to coordinate with other teams as part of a larger whole.

Floor Skills Class. Students learned and practiced the shoulder roll and “Meet Mr. Floor”, which are required during testings in our school. Practice will included tumbling to strike a target. Some students practiced cartwheel, round-off, and backwards roll. This ended in a tumbling competition to earn points for their teams.

Bear Hug / Chokehold / Headlock / Arm around Shoulder Techniques. Students learned escapes that involve basic throws or releases for these techniques.

Sparring Skills and Rules. Students learned the rules and etiquette for sparring. Then they learned the basics of blocks, moving, and combinations.

Bubble Sumo. One of the day’s highlights was the bubble sumo. Students used the “bubble suits” on the mats in an exciting competition to see who could move the balloon from one end of the training hall to the opposite team’s goal. Additional sparring and safety gear was worn.

Sparring Competition. White belts practiced testing requirements then watched some of sparring. Other students sparred to earn points for their teams.

TUESDAY

Punches. After stretching students executed punches from a horse stance with ¼ turns, ½ turns, hops, spins, and to different target areas such as high, middle, low, and the sides.

Moving Kicks. Our style has 8 required moving kicks. Some these include spinning back kick, flying side kick, and skip center kick. Students practiced all 8 moving kicks. Students who didn’t know all 8 learned more.

Indoor Snowballs vs. Ninja! Students tried to hit the moving ninja target with our indoor snowballs! Points were earned for hitting different parts of the ninja.

Chess Competition: 2nd ROUND.

Balloon Sumo – Same as day 1.

LUNCH

Origami. Students learned the basics of origami and had the opportunity to fold some classic forms including the crane. Additionally they created cups and air planes, with a contest to see whose plan can go the farthest.

Obstacle Course. Students raced through a challenging obstacle course using the agility ladder, mats, push up bars, and more.

Sparring and whacker sparring matches.

Whack-a-doo Karate. Students worked as teams using double-ended padded “whackers” normally used for blocking drills to move a balloon to the other team’s goal. The activity requires coordination. A great cardiovascular workout.

Self-Defense Class. Students practiced fundamental escapes from grabs including straight across wrist, cross wrist, single lapel, shoulder, and throat grab.

Chess