November 25th - 30th 2014

Tuesday 25th we had some guests from Europe, two sensei trying their 8th Dan tests. After kihon we had a nice Keiko, I ended up being one of the motodachi and had 4 short Keiko with my dojo mates vwofre going to sensei.

The Keiko with my dojo mates was very relaxed and enjoyable. I was having fun more than trying to go straight. Lots of gyaku do and kaeshi kote!

Keiko with sensei was fun, it's been a while since I practiced with those sensei and it was nice to try and show how much I have improved. Both sensei took some nice debanna and kaeshi waza from me and I tried my best to go straight and take centre before attacking.

Thursday 27th I switched to a thick grip Shinai just to see how it felt. It was too cumbersome and I felt stiff and slow to react. I am still yet to find "my" Shinai!

Keiko was a bit worse this evening, I was caught many times by my dojo mates.

I am focusing on moving forward and receiving attacks rather than stepping back when my opponent moves in. I have gotten very bad at stepping back recently and need to get rid that bad habit.

Obviously the best solution is to attack or to not get caught out.  But for now I need to build up the natural reaction to move forward.

Saturday 29th. I practiced in the evening and had a generally good Keiko. I tried to be relaxed during kihon, enjoying rather than thinking too much. Sorry to everyone for the bruises from over ambitious dou or kote! I just feel like I have been too stiff for ages and need to let loose!

Advice from one sensei was that I was building good pressure before attacking, but then I'm doing things like dropping my kensen, or feinting to try get a reaction. Sensei's advice was to instead go for men, take centre, make a slight movement, or step in to distance and try to strike debanna men. He said I need to be a bit braver and just go for it.

During Keiko with him I noticed he was really trying to upset my kendo by attacking quickly, while I was busy thinking about what to do next. My biggest problem this year has been over thinking. Every mistake or missed opportunity feels like a lead weight.

Sunday 30th. I skipped Keiko for house work and getting stuff ready for the week ahead, lunches, ironing, shining shoes etc.

Instead I did 500 suburi. 200 shomen, 100 kote, 50 dou, 50 katate (one handed) 100 kirikaeshi, 50 sayu-men and 50 left and right dou.

Blisters. :)

For those that have followed the blog since the beginning, you will know that it started out as a "diary" as I worked towards my 3rd Dan. I don't think I ever really made it into a true diary/training log and it wasn't long before I started posting on other topics, like this gem.

And how quickly time has passed??  My 4th Dan test is coming up in just about 3 months!

 I have been thinking of getting back to the basic idea and doing some training logs on shinsa keiko and kata geiko. 

To start, I will  describe some of the advice one of my Sensei gave to those going for shinsa this weekend. 

1. Kiai
   After standing from sonkyo, both shinsa-in (person taking a grading test) will kiai. You should give your very best kiai, not from up in your throat, but from down in your belly. Your kiai should be twice as good as your opponent.
   
   After striking, pass through your opponent, turn and take zanshin. Your kiai should not stop until after you take zanshin.
   
   Your kiai should go up, not down after striking.
2. Seme
   Your seme should be constant. Always pushing forwards. Not taking large steps, but slowly inching your way into striking distance.
   
    If your opponent steps forward, do not step back, instead return the pressure. For example: your opponent moves froward pressing on your shinai to take the centre, roll your kensen around to the opposite side while pushing forward from your left foot. You have taken his attack, and turned it back on him.
   
   If your opponent steps back in reaction to your seme, take the chance to attack. Quickly make a large step into striking distance and strike.
   
   If you and your opponent strike and pass by each other, turn quickly and take zanshin. Aim to be in a good position to put pressure on your opponent as they turn.
3. Riai and creating chances
   The judges will not only be looking at the moment you strike, but every thing leading up to and after the cut, they  will be looking for the "story" of your attacks.
   
   They will want to see how you started from distance, checked your opponents kamae, put pressure to create a chance and then took it, following through with spirit and kiai and taking zanshin.
   
   Even if you don't hit your opponent, the judges will see how you tried to make a real chance. This is better than those who wait for their opponent to come and use their quick reactions to strike kaaeshi-dou or debanna-kote.
4. Movement
   From sonkyo your movement should only be in one direction, forward. This doesn't mean that your first reaction should be to step in to cutting distance and strike. Instead you should pressure forwards, and not move to the side or back as you might do in a shiai. As Sensei put it, Kore ha nigeteiru!  (that's running away).
   
   After the first attack it is ok to move to the side left and right, so long as it is to take the center, or to disrupt your opponent.
   
   You should aim to be in the center of the shiai-jo. Make sure you are the one standing above the cross at all times. This shows a level of control over your opponent.