Good end to the week

After a disappointing Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday proved much more productive.

Something seemed to click on Thursday and my concentration was bang on, I'd love to know why this happens because I didn't consciously change anything compared to previous weeks. I felt like I was aware of my distance much more which produced more pressure to my opponent, I even managed a couple of suriage men cuts on high grades.

I visited Wakaba on Saturday which turned into one of the most enjoyable days of kendo for a while. There was only a few of us there for the initial kihon lesson which slowly grew in numbers, by then end we had a good 20 or so. For the last 90 minutes of motodachi keiko and jigeiko the numbers had swelled to 50-60 kenshi as late comers and people from the neighbouring shinpan seminar joined. I even met a few guys from my club. It seemed that most people there were nidan or above.

All I can say is the atmosphere was electric and one of the best ive experienced (could it be due to the nice weather?). Jigeiko was very cramped but the sound was amazing, everyone seemed to be giving 100%. I was happy with most of my fights, my seme seemed to be working to a degree with similar grade opponents... i still have a way to go with higher grades!

I received advice from a few people:

• Rukas: Good basics but I need to stop waggling my kensen (agghh!). It shows that I look nervous.
• Pramalts (I think): Need to keep my centre more to threaten.
• Hiro: Good basics but I need to aim for the back of the men when I cut because I have a tendency to hit the mengane. Need to stretch my arms out more on the run though and pivot on the right foot when I turn after Zanshin.
• Mani: Said I produced much more pressure compared to the last time I fought him a few months back. Said I used my height and distance advantage more.

After this I got battered in the pub with Harris sensei. A good end to the day.

Disappointing reaction to pressure situation

I visited Tora dojo again on Tuesday night which proved to be another energetic and enjoyable practice.

At the end of class we we were split into two teams and had a single point shiai-geiko. I was matched against two Tora nidans, the first nailed me with a men in about 10 seconds. I attempted men at the same time but he was too quick for me. However, I lasted longer against the second guy but he eventually caught me with a kote.

I've never been great in shiai but I was disappointed with my reaction to the situation. Speaking with Zeke (a dojomate) he observed that my kensen was all over the place and that I had no centre. I'm annoyed that all my effort into improving seme went out of the window when the pressure was on.

I need to calm down and not fall into the trap of mirroring my opponents movements.

Another New Dojo

I was back home in the midlands for easter which provided a good opportunity to visit Kashi No Ki Kenyu Kai dojo in Ollerton (Notts). Considering its only a 50 min drive from my folks I've never got 'round to visiting before.

Due to the easter holls there were only a few people there. I was greeted by Ken (a senior at the club) who was very friendly. Luckily, Alan Thompson who's a key member of the British Squad was visiting and took the lesson as Ken was coaching a beginner.

We started with kihon and progressed to shiai techniques, focusing on seme, sashi men and kote men/do. I found the session very helpful and gained some useful advice:

• Cut immediately after seme, don't pause after I step into distance;
• Dont hang my kensen before cutting down with sashi men, cut must be an immediate snap;
• Dont grip the shinai too tight during seme;
• Move the Tsukagashira (end of the Tsuka) in a circular motion with left hand to snap a cut for a small do (using Tenouchi). Ideal for kote-do technique;
• Dont stare at my target before cut. Concentrate on opponent, quickly look at target when cutting but immediately focus back on opponent on contact; and
• Alan was pleased with the speed of my sashi men. He suggested that I need to build my attacking confidence to be able to use it effectively.

I have been given similar advice from many other sensei. I'm hoping one of these days I will be able to incorporate them into my kendo correctly!

Three parts to the cut

During tuesday practice Blake sensei taught a kihon lesson which broke an attack into three parts.

The first was to step into issoku-itto-no-maai with either an overpowering centre, harai or uchiotoshi technique. Next was to make a big cut (making sure it was timing of '1') and the final step was to step into tsubazeriai.

We were encouraged to cut straight with tenouchi so that the superior cut will win, and to maintain a high degree of zanshin after the third part. This meant that we were aware of a weakness in technique or spirit in our opponent after the initial cut which then allows continuous attack (e.g. second men or hiki waza).

This proved to be an intense exercise which didn't allow a drop in energy or mental concentration.

Happy to be Back

Managed my first sessions back this week. Nothing to shout about other than my timing is totally screwed, i need a week or so to get my eye in again.

O'Sullivan sensei did pull me up on my 'flicking' kensen while in chudan last night.

Friday night was tough, not felt that knackered for a long time. Most notable point of the night was when I was fighting Charles who's a club vet. He started to break his cut timing which threw me out completely, I was left wafting my shinai in the air on a number of occasions after failed suriage attempts.

This proves that I focus too much on my opponent's shinai rather than his whole body. I should do my own thing instead of following their sword.

Out of Action Again

I've been suffering with a bladder infection since last Wednesday so i've been unable to practice. 2010 hasn't started very well :(

I've got to take a blood (and other bodily fluid) test at the local hospital tomorrow so I should find out whats wrong in a few days. I really hope it clears up before Saturday as I was planning to go to my first BKA Intensive Training session.... however, it isn't looking promising.

The clock has started on the count down to my Nidan grading in July. I need to sort myself out soon.

Visiting the neighbours...

The school shafted us again by setting up all the exam tables/chairs the night before so we couldn't practice. Therefore, I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit Tora Dojo again just down the road.

It was a very intense night with lots of kihon drills with uchikomigeiko and 15 mins of jigeiko thrown in at the end. I found it tough to keep up with the young'uns there.

Cho sensei taught us to try and vary our timing/aggression so that the opponent does not become used to our attacks. The idea is to keep them guessing what you are going to do next.

Thoroughly enjoyed the night and left feeling pretty knackered.