This year's annual Teenage Seminar Day was held on Saturday, October 17th at the main location in New Hartford, New York. The seminar was taught by Grandmaster Crandall with help from several instructors including Mr. E. Stalloch, Dr. Chuff, Mrs. Freleigh, Mr. Fiore, and Mr. Freleigh. Twelve students participated in this exciting day.

The day began with an hour of cane self-defense techniques. Our school teaches the cane as an extension tool, but it also offers it as a distinct style, the American Cane System. Mr. E. Stalloch and Mrs. Jessee are certified Cane Masters in Cane Master International Association and teach the American Cane System, founded by Grandmaster Mark Shuey. On the morning of the seminar, three of Mr. Stalloch's cane students were at the training hall for an American Cane System class. The teenagers fell in along side these other students and were taught a variety of cane self-defense techniques not normally covered in regular classes. These included counters to double lapel grabs, single lapel grabs, punchs, and other scenarios.

After the cane class ended, the Superkick class started. Superkick is for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and teaches the most fundamental level of American Eagle Style. The teenagers watched part of this class and discussed it benefits and place in the school with Grandmaster Crandall. While the class continued, Grandmaster Cradall discussed some of the school's history and shared with them pictures for several large photo albums that contained pictures from the last 40 years of the school's development.

Following this segment, the teenagers worked on their highest katas before learning part of the kata Hansoo. Hansoo is a traditional Korean kata that historically has been placed at seventh dan black belt. In American Eagle Style, it is a fifth degree black belt kata. As a special opportunity, all of the teenagers were allowed to learn part of this advanced kata, even though they are not required to demonstrate it for many years to come.

After the kata segment ended, the students broke into two groups. The junior rank black belts assisted as partners in a brown belt testing. This testing was run and graded by Grandmaster Crandall who arranged for a student who was unable to attend a previous testing due to career responsibilities. The other group worked on advanced knife self-defense, ippon kumites, defensive hanzas, and advanced empty-hand self-defense techniques. After the testing was completed, Grandmaster Crandall presented the student with their brown belt and everyone congratulated them for their accomplishment.

The group had pizza delivered for lunch and took a brief break.

Following lunch, the students broke into two groups, again. The black belts and brown belts sat with Grandmaster Crandall who went over questions from the written examinations for black belt ranks. He also discussed some philosophy of the school and other information not normally covered in class. Meanwhile, the other students learned part of three different weapons katas and some of their history: the naginata, kama, and half-moon staff.

Then the groups switched, and Grandmaster Crandall went over the brown belt written exams with the colored belts. Students were allowed to take notes and aske questions. The black belts worked on the naginata and kama before learning about Kendo from Dr. Chuff. The black belts and brown belts learned some of its terminology, history, and basic blocks and stirkes. Then they were allowed to work with a partner to practice these blocks and strikes like three-point sparring.

The next segment dealt with ground fighting techniques and head control. These advanced concepts are normally only taught to black belts. Grandmaster Crandall separated the female students into one group and the male students into another. Then the groups learned how to block a punch and move into a position to control the partner's head and breathing lines. This then moved into some more advanced ground fighting positions. It was an area the students were excited to learn because it is not normally taught in class

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The final segment was board breaking. Board breaking is not done in classes and is not required until testing for adult rank black belt. Mr. Stalloch taught how to choose a good board, discussed breaking principles, and demonstrated how to set a break up. Then each student was given the chance to break a board, many for the first time.

The day ended with a group picture, and a lot of excitement. The next teenage seminar day will be held in October of 2010 and is open to American Martial Arts Institute students who are 13-17 years old. The funshop is held in February 2010 for 6-12 year olds, and the Adult seminar is held on January 23, 2010 for 18 year olds and up.