getn' ready for shiai

[vorcek]

Ok.. I don't usually make many post even though I often spend a lot of time reading these forums.. but I have an interesting curiosity (at least for me) that was sparked by the last issue of Kendo World.. and I think some people here can help.. I'm interested in shiai preparation. .

What do you do to prepare for your shiai?

How many weeks before your shiai do you begin conditioning yourself?

What sort of progressive training do you do up untill the day of your shiai? Do you use a progression form of training?

How do you approach conditioning yourself physicaly verses refining your technical skills?

How about any mental (or spiritual) preparation?

Now I know all of us give every keiko our 100%.. but, when you want to focus all your energy on your next shiai.. what do you do?

thank you,

[Nishi]

Our club competed at the bowden memorial taikai in the U.K. this weekend(Great day by the way). We started training about 4 weeks earlier, mostly kakarigeiko, and shiai against each other, we split the club into teams and fought each other. We also focused on making movments smaller and faster for the shiai. The week of the taikai, we started drinking alot of water and making sure we had slept well throughout the week.
On the day of the taikai, everybody was in good shape, there was no complaints, even though it was a very hot day (Yes in britian) we were all hydrated and energetic, fairly fit, no problems physically.
Although we didnt win the taikai, we had met personal goals, and considered the expereince a success, and our kendo is better because of it. Well planned, well executed.

[vorcek]

Nishi,

Thanks so much for your comments. I found them extremely valuable.

Although.. I am a bit surprised that no body else made any attempts to respond.. I wonder if that means our fellow players do nothing special to train for shiai.. or that they feel their methods are secrect methods worthy of protection..

Anyway, thank you again...

adam

[KENSHIN]

Originally posted by Adam


Although.. I am a bit surprised that no body else made any attempts to respond.. I wonder if that means our fellow players do nothing special to train for shiai.. or that they feel their methods are secrect methods worthy of protection..





Or it could just be a simple fact that not everybody is on these forums 24/7. Just a little patience my friend and the answers you are looking for will come. Unfortunately, I wish that I could give you some advise on the question to that you so desire to be answered, however I am not skilled and experienced enough to give you the right answer. Either way my friend, give it a couple of days and people will come forward to help you. There are many good people on these forums that will provide you with a valuable insight into the world of kendo. So I am sure a little waiting won’t hurt.

p.s. Welcome to the Kendo World forums.

[Neil Gendzwill]

The only thing we do is get out the flags for a few of the practices in the month leading up to the shiai, make sure everyone has a little time in the ring. This is especially important for new people who need to know how to conduct themselves, what it means when the shimpan gives them various commands, what are the penalties etc.

[mingshi]

Originally posted by vorcek
I wonder if that means our fellow players do nothing special to train for shiai...

Hi Adam,

I don't know about the others, but I did nothing to prepare myself for the last Taikai, apart from training more frequently.

My question is, was that bad? Shouldn't people be fighting like what they would have done in normal practice?

Just wonder... :rolleyes:

[nodachi]

I had a friend who had an interesting form of mental preparation for any stressful challenge he had, be it a final in college, soccer game, whatever. It doesn't work for everyone, some people like to focus on the task at hand even more intently to prepare, but this gentlemen always wanted to de-stress before big events.

So... He would do something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. For example, before a math test, he would read poetry in French. It took his mind off the task at hand briefly so there were no lingering gitters just running through his head. It worked for him, no gitters, calm as a cucumber.

[Karaken]

Mingshi is right we should compete as if we practice and practice as if we compete. However, on a practical note, it's helpful to seek out some unusual opponent and practice with whom might be awkard for you ( tall, short, very aggressive, very calm, different gender, nitto etc.. ) people you are not normally exposed to. Might have to travel extra miles to other dojos but it's a good excuse, isn't it?

Center is good prep.

[Hongsermeier]

I agree with Karaken. I've uped my schedule to include another night of practice at another dojo. Give me a chance to practice against different opponents. I try to do this for about 3 weeks prior to a taikai. :cross_eye

[iwatekenshi]

Musha shugyo...well there you go! Travel around and experience different kenshi;).

[TKO]

In my old dojo (H.K.) we video tape each other’s big/small men and kote from front, then play them back slow motion to see during the attach if there is any opening. For example: While you hit Men, does your Do and Kote became wide open? Or when you go for Kote is your own kote or men is open. I think we concentrate most is how to protect “Lifeline”. I think in Japanese they call it (Chu sin) or in Chinese character meaning “Center line”. One other request from Sensei is to have everyone in the team to get a nice haircut, no T.V, no Beers and have dinner together the night before the event.

[Stan]

Hey TKO the name in Japanese is sei chu sen (center line). I like the idea of the haircut. I might add to make certain that your appearance (ie. gi, hakama, men himo etc.) are looking good and there are no wrinkles or tears. If you look good it will give you a slight psychological advantage over someone who is not. And if you lose the match, at least you still look good.

Stan