The ASDF ended it’s second year of existance with a seminar and pulled-pork diinner. By all accounts, it was a huge success. With almost 30 attendees and four excellent presentators, the training was solid, enjoyable, and educational.
The Presenter Line-up
Morning Sessions
The first presenter was Sensei Mike McGee. Sensei McGee taught a session on a unique Okinawan kobudo weapon ofter referred to as a jiffa. The jiffa was originally used for winding up your topknot and keeping it in place. Sensei McGee learned the jiffa kata from Master Shinyu Gushi, a highly respected Uechi-ryu practitioner. Sensei McGee demonstrated the kata and a few sample techniques. He then took the novel approach of having participants try the jiffa with techniques from kata they already practiced. It worked well, especially for us Isshin-ryu practitioners because of the way we block and punch.
Sensei Danny Satterfield followed with an excellent session on concepts found within Naihanchi Kata. Sensei Satterfield focused on movement, body mechanics, power generation, proprioception, and intraception. (Being an educatior, Sensei Satterfield also likes to increase the vocabulary of those who participate in his training sessions). His approach was great because our ASDF members who practice Aikido enjoyed the session as well. You could see them finding the parallels in the technqiues from their syllabus.
Afternoon sessions
After lunch, Sensei Gene Spera gave an interesting session demonstrating how aikido techniques are based on sword cuts. First, participants spent time going over the basic sword cuts. Putting down our bokken, we looked at how the exact same movements are used the empty hand techniques. This was Sensei Spera’s first time presenting in a large group. And while I am sure he was a bit nervous. he did an excellent job. .
Sensei Jim Alley led a great session on how proper training will lessen the physiological effects of being in a “violent” situation. Properly trained, motor skills play an important role when fear, the adrenalin rush, and tunnel vision begin to take over your body. This is when the “fight or flight” instincts begin to take over. Sensei Alley brought real world experiences from working with the Knox County Corrections Department to the session. This made it even more interesting.
Last, but certainy not least, we finished the day with a potluck dinner after the seminar. The ASDF provide pulled-pork BBQ which Sensei/Chef Bob Noel prepared in the North Acres Baptist Church kitchen with his secret recipe combining cherry whiskey and a dry rub that he and his wife have been perfecting for several years. By lunch time, the aroma of the cooking portk had everyone’s moth watering! The attendees brough a great selection of side dishes, beverages, and desserts. Everything was delicious! From the ranch beans, the fruit compote, coleslaw, potato salad, coconut cake, cookies, etc. There were very few leftovers!
The First American Self-Defense Federation Membership Award
At the banquet, Sensei Darren Gilbert announced the first annual award created by the ASDF, saying that the ASDF wanted to do something a bit different. The ASDF has a Member of the Year Award which will be awared at next years (2025) March seminar. The winner of this award can be any member in good standing with the ASDF. It is awarded based on an accumulation of points over the previous year. Points can be earned by participating in clinics and seminars, presenting at an ASDF hosted or sanctioned event, participating in the monthly ASDF Happy Hour, the Quarterly Open Business Meeting, the ASDF Discord Server, or bringing in new members.
Points can be earned as follows:
- Seminar/Clinic Attendance – 5 points
- Instruct at a Seminar/Clinic – 3 points
- Monthly ASDF Happy Hour Participation – 2 points
- Quarterly Open Business Meeting Participation – 2 points
- Discord Participation – 1 point
- Being in a new member – 6 points
The Award
The award is a custom built wristwatch put together by Ben Jones at Brumer Time Eaters.
https://brumertimeeaters.wordpress.com
ASDF Custom Diver’s Watch Specs:
Case diameter: 39.5 mm
Case thickness: 16 mm
Case and bracelet material: Stainless steel
Crystal material: Acrylic
Water Resistant: 100 meters (333ft)
Lume: Phosphorescent matte (green glow)
Movement: Japanese NH38 Automatic
Hand-wind, or self-winding (bi-directional rotor)
Hack setting
Accuracy range: -20 to +40 seconds/day
Diashock protectio41 hour power reserve
In the final analysis, the general consensus at the end of the day seemed to be that, “The ASDF Rocks, and folks can’t wait until next years big seminar.”