Leicester PKA Blog: Latest News

The following is a list of compulsory standards for all members of the Leicester PKA (N.B. their order has no bearing on importance, they are all equally important):

1. Leicester PKA licences must be obtained by all beginners immediately and annually renewed by all.

2. Leicester PKA Kickboxing instructors must have additional teaching insurance when teaching in front of a class, even if it is not their own; you must have teaching insurance.

3. Official Leicester PKA Kickboxing uniforms must be worn.

4. Full Leicester PKA Kick boxing approved safety equipment is mandatory during any forms of sparring and is recommended during technical sets also.  Full equipment is defined as:

Head guard

Boxing gloves (not light bag gloves)

Hand wraps

Foot protectors

Groin guard

Gum shield

5. No sparring in normal Leicester PKA training sessions. Sparring can only be done in properly designated sparring classes and then each sparring pair must be individually supervised.

The Leicester PKA Instructor rating is awarded to individuals who have completed an Instructor Development Course and achieved a Leicester PKA- Kick boxing Black Belt.

Leicester PKA Instructors receive refresher training in PKA standards, procedures, philosophies and teaching methods. They are evaluated in various areas, which include practical teaching ability, technical skill, attitude and professionalism.

Leicester PKA Innstructors are authorised to conduct the entire range of Leicester PKA Kickboxing programmes from red belt to black belt (except for special skills, which require specific special skills instructor rating). Certification of programmes are carried out at gradings directly by the PKA Principal

The Leicester PKA kick boxing instructor training process is divided into several distinct courses. The Instructor Development Course (IDC) is a collection of highly informative and intensive courses designed to provide the individual with the best teacher training to becoming a Leicester PKA Instructor.

The PKA-Kickboxing IDC consists of courses in PKA Kickboxing Instructor Manual, RVQ 1st 4 sport Level 2 award in coaching studies, PKA kick boxing judges course and a PKA recognised First Aid course. Once an IDC has been successfully completed an individual must attend a 1-day final assessment at Leicester PKA headquarters conducted by the Leicester PKA Kickboxing director.

Consider these facts. Does a marathon runner practice for the race by doing sprints? Does a scholar of chemistry study art? Does a child  try to learn to write without a pen? Obviously the answer is no in every case. Train for the action you intend to perform.

Stretching in Martial Arts

For years in the Martial Arts static stretching (remaining in a stationary position often on the floor whilst holding a stretch at the point of pain) has long been the staple diet of achieving flexibility. This method has worked wonders for those who have persevered with it. The level of flexibility is usually less than amazing. However, some individuals whilst having a great degree of flexibility cannot reproduce that flexibility in a full power movement such as a high kick. Why is this?

Within human skeletal muscle there are two types of stretch receptor, one detects the degree and speed of stretching, the other detects just the degree only. This is why static stretching only improves static flexibility. To achieve dynamic flexibility (e.g. a powerful kick) dynamic stretching must be used in addition to static stretching.

Dynamic Stretching

Dynamic stretching by movements similar to the task e.g. leg raises before a lesson in kicking done with gradual increases in range of motion facilitate neural pathways that will be used in the main task. This movement also causes arterioles and capillaries to dilate thus increasing blood flow to the muscles being worked, an ideal warm-up in your Leicester PKA class.

Static Stretching

Static stretching at the start of a PKA class in the warm up does not fully facilitate these pathways and does not adequately prepare the nervous or blood systems for dynamic action.

You can feel this for yourself. You sweat differently when warming up with dynamic stretches compared to static ones. During dynamic exercises you sweat all over and the sweat is hot. During static stretching you sweat little and mainly on the face. This shows you static stretching is not an ideal warm-up.

Static stretching is better done during the cool-down session at the end of your Leicester PKA class. Muscles are thoroughly warmed up after your PKA class and the stretching helps remove lactic acid build up in the muscles, prevent muscle soreness the following day and helps elongate muscle to be stretched further the next time.

Please note : Static stretching during the warm up session is not wrong, just that it can be improved by doing dynamic stretches before hand.

As part of Leicester PKA’s on going commitment to a high standard of instruction we would like to inform you about how you are graded and assessed as part of the kickboxing syllabus.

Firstly, its not just your form that decides a level of proficiency nor is it your level of kickboxing skill. Although kickboxing skill is a very important aspect of your PKA training its not the only aspect, as progress takes time and we are totally committed to your success and you becoming the best you can be.

Grading examinations can be stressful sometimes particularly if you focus on failure or making mistakes. As you already know ‘you get what you focus on’. Your Leicester PKA grading is broken down something like this. However, the order of assessment can deviate depending upon the ability of the individual, normally it is as follows:

1. Ability to perform the appropriate technical sets. We use the term ability with some flexibility with regard to how much kickboxing skill you have. Potential to improve is of paramount importance so we encourage an ongoing commitment to consistent and never ending improvement.

2. Effort and enthusiasm. During the Leicester PKA training classes your progress is monitored and records are made as to your output in every kickboxing class you attend. We know everyone can have off days and a grading evaluation is based on overall progress.

3. An understanding of the applications of the technical sets and how to incorporate them into a realistic environment on an ever increasing level.

4. Regular Leicester PKA class attendance. A students progress is basically down to the amount of classes at Leicester PKA they attend and you are credited on your commitment  to regular kickoxing practice without undue absence.

Your grades are based on an individual ability and not on comparison to other PKA students. We would also like to point out that no Leicester PKA student is passed without justifiable ability and potential to improve within the realms of a students current standard.

The main criteria for passing grades especially in the early stages are your personal improvement and commitment. Your instructor would not allow you to grade if he did not feel that you had a realistic chance of passing.

At Leicester PKA we would like to wish you success and personal power and we are very happy to share in your journey towards your black belt and life mastery.

The guys at Leicester PKA will this November stop shaving in an effort to help raise awareness for men’s health by growing a moustache.

What is Movember?

Each November, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in the UK and around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

Find out more about Movember at http://uk.movember.com/about

Donate Now

To donate online to help raise awarness for mens health and to support the hairy efforts of the PKA team visit:
http://uk.movember.com/mospace/1389462/index/tp/1

Call back soon to checkout the latest updates from Movember. Remember – we’re on Facebook.

Leicester PKA Movember Team