Post by Admin Kendo on Dec 8, 2009 8:39:03 GMT 7
To help beginners with cuts, I hope this will help....
The basic men cut (uchikomi-men) should be done as one motion. Yes, it is broken down into 3 parts (raising the shinai, swinging the shinai, and making the cut) but you must remember ki-ken-tai-ichi. If your swing is slower than your feet, then you have a problem.
There are many resources and video available that can help you "see" what this is all about (I have posted some so look for them on this board) but the basic motion is as follows: raise your shinai (do not let the tip drop behind the top of your head - the shinai should be at most, horizontally parallel with your head. As you begin your forward swing, begin your step forward. When you end your swing, your hands and your feet should stop motion at the same time. Always end your cut with tenouchi (not to be confused with tenogui). It's easier to watch than to explain, so look for the posted videos.
Sayu-men (side cuts) are not difficult at all once you get the hang of it. The easiest way to practice is to do a lot of kiri-kaeshi. Again, it's easier to show than to explain, but hope this helps. The ONLY thing that differentiates basic men from sayu-men is the angle of approach. This is achieved by simply turning the left wrist in the direction you want to cut. Raising the shinai is the same as you basic men cut. But, as you start your downward swing, turn your left wrist to angle your shinai. That's really about it. Just remember it is not your arms that determine the correct angle, but your left wrist.
The remainder of the cuts are basically just extensions of the basic cut. It is probably more important that you learn to do the basic men cut first - the rest you will find easier if you know how to do the basic men cut.
AND, if you are not quite sure what sensei said, ask a senior. You can't blame anyone but yourself if you didn't understand because there are others you can ask once sensei is finished with you. Just keep in mind that everyone is there to learn, so how can you learn if you do not ask questions.
The basic men cut (uchikomi-men) should be done as one motion. Yes, it is broken down into 3 parts (raising the shinai, swinging the shinai, and making the cut) but you must remember ki-ken-tai-ichi. If your swing is slower than your feet, then you have a problem.
There are many resources and video available that can help you "see" what this is all about (I have posted some so look for them on this board) but the basic motion is as follows: raise your shinai (do not let the tip drop behind the top of your head - the shinai should be at most, horizontally parallel with your head. As you begin your forward swing, begin your step forward. When you end your swing, your hands and your feet should stop motion at the same time. Always end your cut with tenouchi (not to be confused with tenogui). It's easier to watch than to explain, so look for the posted videos.
Sayu-men (side cuts) are not difficult at all once you get the hang of it. The easiest way to practice is to do a lot of kiri-kaeshi. Again, it's easier to show than to explain, but hope this helps. The ONLY thing that differentiates basic men from sayu-men is the angle of approach. This is achieved by simply turning the left wrist in the direction you want to cut. Raising the shinai is the same as you basic men cut. But, as you start your downward swing, turn your left wrist to angle your shinai. That's really about it. Just remember it is not your arms that determine the correct angle, but your left wrist.
The remainder of the cuts are basically just extensions of the basic cut. It is probably more important that you learn to do the basic men cut first - the rest you will find easier if you know how to do the basic men cut.
AND, if you are not quite sure what sensei said, ask a senior. You can't blame anyone but yourself if you didn't understand because there are others you can ask once sensei is finished with you. Just keep in mind that everyone is there to learn, so how can you learn if you do not ask questions.