About The St. Albert Karate Club
Practical Karate
Gedan barai, downward block or lower level sweep, is the first block in the Taikyoku and Heian Shodan kata; consequently, it is one of the first blocks taught. It is occasionally illustrated as a defense against a chudan or gedan punch but more typically as a defense against mai geri or front kick. Rarely is this defense seen, even at the highest level of sports kumite, notwithstanding that chudan level punches and front kicks are the most common attacks.
The illustration above shows a practical application of gedan barai. An attacker has grabbed the defender’s jacket (in this case with his left hand). The defender clasps the attacker’s left hand with his left hand. Moving counter clockwise at 90 degrees to the attacker, the defender swings round into a front stance while executing a downward block against the attacker’s arm. The hiki-te or withdrawn hand retains a grip on the attacker’s hand.
The St. Albert Karate Club dates back to 1976. Paul Kane High School served as the dojo for the club from that period till about 2003 when the City of St. Albert imposed additional liability requirements for use of city facilities. The premiums, over and above existing liability insurance for the club, proved prohibitive and the SAKC moved to the basement of the Rugby Club on Riel Drive. Though the conditions were sauna-like in the summer and the support pillars in the training area obstructed ease of movement, the facility at the Rugby Club served the SAKC well; until, that is, the Rugby Club served notice for the SAKC vacate the premises. Another user had deeper pockets. From the Rugby Club the SAKC moved to Servus Place; unfortunately, as city property, Servus Place also required the additional liability insurance...plus significant rental fees. Servus Place provided stop-gap measures until the SAKC moved to its present dojo in the Community Hall on Perron Street.