Zach fought that girl from last series of vids again...

[AdamKralic]

Final practice for her before AKA grands...

Coach asked Zach to do grands in the team portion but we refused (politely of course) for two reasons...well three.

1. He is not a black belt yet and it's a black belt and up event.

2. Coach himself could not be there due to family situation. We had a very capable alt coach to use...but Zach and I barely know this guy and well it's Chicago...there'd be 4 million people there and just too much chaos w/o our reg. coach imo.

3. Zach's not there mentally or skill wise yet. He's at a tough spot...better than all the kids in his normal classes...not as good as the touring fighters. I definately think he's on track and doing all the right things...but imo there is no shame in being honest about where you are at NOW.

I don't know how she did at grands...but she's a pretty darn short 17 year old who is not fast...idk. For example/reference...my son turned 13 like a week ago and he's not particularly tall for his age. She's got like an inch on him...maybe two if she stretches her spine. She does fight smart. She does have a nice punch. Super sweet girl...I'd certainly root for her.

w/o further delay...I have a total of 3 fights I believe here in two videos. The entire hour practice was pretty much warmup...and then a good 45 minutes of fights. (just how I'd like every practice to be)

I show this to prove that my son and I listened to comments from last time. More variety in his kicks/rev punches...he still needs to get the ranges of non-side kick stuff down better...but atleast he's throwing them in sparring situations which will lead to learning the timing. I thought that he used the counter rev well throughout a good portion of the hour...

anad a short third fight.

[DWx]

Cool videos. You can see Zach's improved from the last set

If you want my honest advice, I'm not overly impressed with her. It might be a little brutal but she's a bit of a one trick pony. Whilst it's used very well, all she has is that right leg lead. If Zach's develops the tools, he could take her out easy.

is what I'd have him doing more of. OK he didn't land it successfully but if I were his coach that'd be exactly what I'd work with him on. You need to get him practicing on a target and landing it hard but stay standing. Here's a really

of it in action (quite a few examples of a spinning hook or back kick counters in that video actually).

was also really good IMHO. As she throws that right leg side, he should step right with his back leg whilst simultaneously throwing that hook kick to her open body.

Very timely as the GingerNinja just posted this video on YouTube:

I know it's TKD but it would be great to see Zach varying it up a little and maybe trying to incorporate one or two of these combos into his sparring. He certainly has the flexibility for it so I would pick a couple to really focus on and try to get him using these offensively.

My criticism of Zach's would be the way he moves. At the minute he runs back and forth. I know he's trying to keep moving and work the angles more but it's not a great way to do it as it'll leave him unstable and susceptible to a well timed kick that he will run into. Again I know it's TKD (but hey its what I know) but I would have him working his footwork to be more like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYNha86CIMc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9YwLxbHKMs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB8BglZV52M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbiLqCJ6cLo

I mean look at your coach's footwork in your other video:

He keeps a nice even spacing between his feet at all times and doesn't bring foot across like Zach's does when he runs.

That's my 2 cents anyway

[AdamKralic]

Thanks for taking the time! I agree on her...I always worry that she might be here...or well anyone that we know might be. I'm not a overly negative or judgemental person at all...but sometimes it's hard to honest and non-judgemental.

Like I said super sweet girl...but slow, short and...I'm thinking that she might not be all that flexible either.

The gingerninja video is a great one. Thanks. Will go over that for sure.

Coach brought up Zach's footwork sometime during that practice...same thoughts as you..work more off bounce less off steps.