Frozen Nage

During the 5th kyu grading at MAA HQ Dojo on 10/6/2012

"Katate dori ikkyo omote!" I called out the first technique. Astonishingly while all the 5th kyu graders got into action right away one pair just stood still, unmoving. The nage had frozen in position, unable to respond to the command and he was looking at his partner with a blank stare as if his mind was somewhere far away other than in the present. Because the nage was unresponsive, the uke who was gripping nage's outstretched hand found himself locked up with nage and unable to advance.

"Katate dori ikkyo omote!" I repeated the command, this time saying more slowly and deliberately. Nothing happened. The nage remained frozen, his mind unable to connect mentally with my command, and uke was going no where.

Resisting my own impatience to shout out the command the third time and to show by action how to do the technique, I nudged the nage's shoulder sleeve gently, moved in close to his face and whispered quietly so other people couldn't hear into his ear "look at what your neighbours are doing and copy their movements ."

Nage turned left to look at the other pair, returned his sight to his own partner, paused, blinked and then as if something in his stalled mind had finally snapped stepped back with his front foot.

I was certain that the nage knows his technique but probably due to the stress of performing the test in front of so many people for the first time had temporarily lost his concentration and mental faculty. After the recovery nage was able to complete all the techniques with no more disruptions.

I imagine the pair was locked in position, remaining stationary for at least 1 minute, as if frozen stiff like ice cubes in a freezer even though the hot mid-day temperature outside the building was hovering around 35 degree C.

Anyway all the candidates have passed their kyu examinations. Congratulations and have a nice weekend. Penang candidates please have a safe journey back to your home state.