noob question:

[neron]

Hey, I'm by no means ready to take a grading test, nor have I ever seen one, but while reading all the posts about how to do the keiko during gradings I notice that most people say not to use any waza, but just use big clean attacks. I just wonder how that works, becuase it seems like that way your shinai may never even touch your opponent. I mean, in my limited bogu experience where because I'm such a noob that's pretty much all I do anyway. I'm really not doing much during keiko besides just being a target. I pretty much never land anything, and I wouldn't block or counter or anything, rather just ignore their actions and pretend like I hit them. But is that bad for gradings? Again, not like I'm ready or anything, just curious.

[dimfeld]

I'm not even in bogu yet, so the other members of the forum will be much more qualified to answer this, but here's my take on it.

First, you'll probably be more evenly matched at the shinsa than you are at your dojo. I imagine that during keiko at the dojo you're up against people with much more experience. At shinsa, your opponent is about as experienced as you are, so you have a much better chance of landing a hit. And by the time that you're ready for your first grading, you'll probably be hitting more often than you are now.

Second, it's not so much of a competition. Getting an ippon is nice, but especially at the early levels it is far less important than your technique. The judges mainly want to see that you have a reasonable command of the beginning of the basics.

[dnakase]

Hey, I'm by no means ready to take a grading test, nor have I ever seen one, but while reading all the posts about how to do the keiko during gradings I notice that most people say not to use any waza, but just use big clean attacks. I just wonder how that works, becuase it seems like that way your shinai may never even touch your opponent. I mean, in my limited bogu experience where because I'm such a noob that's pretty much all I do anyway. I'm really not doing much during keiko besides just being a target. I pretty much never land anything, and I wouldn't block or counter or anything, rather just ignore their actions and pretend like I hit them. But is that bad for gradings? Again, not like I'm ready or anything, just curious.

The idea is to show your form. At all levels you are showing your mastery of the basics. So "Scoring Points" or landing a blow is besides the point.

If you get frustrated by always being a "target" try out another dojo before you quit all together.

[Fudo-Shin]

If it is anything like the grading system in Aus. here then you probably won't even have to worry about Jigeiko at you first grading. If I remember correctly I didn't even put on Bougu at my first grading. And for my second I only did Uchi-Komi Geiko which is attacking an opening that is made for you.

And when you do Ji-Geiko the Sensei will probably be looking for a good technique and spirit for your level, not whether it is ippon or not.

Good luck when you get there though.

[joekc6nlx]

First thing I noted in your post - you say you rarely hit anything and just pretend as if you were successful. Don't do that! You won't progress if you continue that manner.

Suggestion - talk to your sensei, find out what it is you are doing that prevents you from making good strikes. It could be that you aren't stepping forward far enough, don't get a good push with your left foot, or it could be something such as your opponent is blocking or dodging.

If you are matched against a more experienced kendoka, then that person will have to make allowances for your inexperience and if they really care about kendo, will help you with your techniques. We are all teachers and all students in kendo.

If your sensei doesn't allow for questions (even after keiko), then talk to a senior member of the dojo. If they don't feel like answering your questions, or make you feel like a fool, then you don't need to be at that dojo, and should seek another, more dedicated dojo. We don't appreciate the "Cobra Kai" type of mentality.

[neron]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not frustrated about my keiko, and I am still learning alot, and my senseis and sempais are all very helpful. Although my form is terrible, I can still hit an opening created for me, but we have a separate practice time for that. During normal (gikeiko?) becuase I only use big attacks at this point, and I'm not very eperienced, It usually ends up that as I'm coming down for men I receive a do and they move (I believe trying to follow my target by changing course would not be showing good commitment to my attack, plus I'm not advanced enough) so I hit thin air; or sometimes they'll practice their waza and deflect my attack so they can counter or something. I'm not supposed to use waza, or be the one to let them attack so I can react, which means generally I'm attacking when there is no opening (and even if there was an opening my big attacks would be too slow to reach it). Is this wrong?

[Ignatz]

. . . generally I'm attacking when there is no opening (and even if there was an opening my big attacks would be too slow to reach it). Is this wrong?
Watch very carefully. Sensei and sempai will usually make an opening for you, not big but there nonetheless. (Usually only men at your level). If you attack when there is no opening they will not let you succeed. Many times you will see the opening and not attack because you think it is a trick. NO THINKING!!!! Opening, attack.
Much later you will learn how to make an opening. Be patient, it is a long road.

[verissimus]

follow my target by changing course would not be showing good commitment to my attack, plus I'm not advanced enough) so I hit thin air;

I hit thin air frequently. I'm told to be patient, keep practicing, and eventually it will come to me; but more importantly, not to give up mid-attack simply because it may appear to me that my opponent might avoid my strike.

[Gessho]

...I'm such a noob that's pretty much all I do anyway. I'm really not doing much during keiko besides just being a target. I pretty much never land anything, and I wouldn't block or counter or anything, rather just ignore their actions and pretend like I hit them. But is that bad for gradings? Again, not like I'm ready or anything, just curious.

Dude, your post reeks of self-pity. You should ask yourself why you are in kendo.

[Halcyon]

I'm not supposed to use waza, or be the one to let them attack so I can react, which means generally I'm attacking when there is no opening (and even if there was an opening my big attacks would be too slow to reach it). Is this wrong?
No, it's not wrong. When you're just starting out, you should concentrate on attacking big with good kiai and good follow-through, whether or not you hit your intended target. As you gain experience, you will gradually begin to detect openings and also learn to move faster. Good solid basics today will serve you well years down the road. Don't get discouraged about not being able to hit your target. Yes, it's frustrating at times, but what you will discover if you stick with it is that you will hit your target more and more often. Progress in kendo is rarely measured in weeks or even months.

[The great I AM]

The idea is to show your form. At all levels you are showing your mastery of the basics. So "Scoring Points" or landing a blow is besides the point.Are you joking? Please tell me you aren't serious. Part of ANY grading is being able to hit your opponent. I have my 4th dan in october, and if I went into that thinking "I'll show them some good form and they'll pass me, don't matter if I land ippon or even hit my opponent" I know that I will fail, as would ANYBODY.

Surely part of a grading is showing your kendo is at a level where you can do what is expected of that level AND score some ippon / hit your opponent / whatever?

Maybe I'll just stand in chudan and show some nice suriashi and the odd big men (and gift a perfect oji waza to my aite). You make 4th dan sound so easy....