Turning

[emitbrownne]

My next stoopid question is.... What do people consider the best way to turn, after moving through?
I currently have a habit of spinning on my left foot which always develops blisters.
This may be a hard one for people to describe, but any help you can give would be appreciated.

[Hongsermeier]

I don't know how your spinning on your left foot. Your right foot should be in front. You should be spinning(pivoting) on your right foot. One other point, always turn to the side you passed on. Example, you pass with your opponent on your right, turn right. :cross_eye

[Neil Gendzwill]

You turn a little differently depending on whether you go right or left. If you're passing on the right, spin on your right foot and bring your left back. If you're passing on the left, cross your left foot in front of your right and then sort of spin on both feet. A little experimentation with this will show you why there's this little difference. Either way, make sure you're clear enough of your opponent that you can slow down a little and stop clean. If you're going so fast that you are off balance as you spin or worse yet still moving (back after spinning) then your opponent has a good opening.

[Phlebas]

Very interesting comments... thanks Neil. I wasn't aware of the subtle differences between the two. Great stuff! Love this forum for the tidbits, just like that one, that I'm not observant enough to pick up on.

[kendomushi]

The blisters on the left foot can be coming from one or two things. Most likely, when you launch into an attack, you exert a small amount of lateral force on the left foot, basically turning it out a hair just as all your wieght is on it, practice just moving to attack, no bogu, no shinai, and focus on keeping the foot perfectly straight. That way there is no sheering force on the sole and you won't easily get blistered. The second reason could be trying to come to a sudden dead stop and executing your turn at the same time. As Neil said, make sure you are well clear of the opponent so you can slow and stop to turn.

[emitbrownne]

I think it may be the dead stop problem (mind you.. I'm not saying that I launch cleanly either :) ) But I never stop completely. which will mean I will have to work on my zanshin more....

well at least you have a clue as to what my next question will be about.

many thanks all.
Paul

[m_french]

Paul, another common cause of blisters is the humidity of the Dojo.
I have found that if your feet are damp and you practice on a varnished surface the friction will cause blisters. When the humidity is high at our Venice Dojo I always go to the corner and get a little dirt on the soles of my feet to reduce the friction....sounds odd but it works.:beard:

[Hongsermeier]

French....the very reason I have a bottle of baby powder in my bogu bag. :cross_eye

[Phlebas]

"I always go to the corner and get a little dirt on the soles of my feet to reduce the friction....sounds odd but it works." -- m_french

I'll second that. There's no air conditioning where I train and my sensei gave me the same tip a few weeks ago during a hot, humid spell. It really does work. I found it helps if your feet are already a little damp before you do this, but on a hot day that's not usually a problem. : )

[m_french]

Originally posted by Hongsermeier
French....the very reason I have a bottle of baby powder in my bogu bag. :cross_eye

Some how baby powder does not have the same grit as dirt....but then you are apretty boy.:beard:

[Hongsermeier]

I don't need as much grit since I'm a little less massive than you. Being better looking is just luck. :cross_eye

[m_french]

Originally posted by Hongsermeier
I don't need as much grit since I'm a little less massive than you. Being better looking is just luck. :cross_eye

The center of the universe is where the the mass is most concentrated....as for being better looking....I only said pretty, I never mentioned good looking:beard:

[Inouye02]

its the sea air i tell you ....

[Hongsermeier]

We'll see who's pretty after practice tonight. :cross_eye

[emitbrownne]

Originally posted by m_french
Paul, another common cause of blisters is the humidity of the Dojo.
I have found that if your feet are damp and you practice on a varnished surface the friction will cause blisters. When the humidity is high at our Venice Dojo I always go to the corner and get a little dirt on the soles of my feet to reduce the friction....sounds odd but it works.:beard:

Yeah.. I have thought this before, and I generally scuff my feet in the dirt before a lesson... it must have been an extra warm session. Never thought of baby powder though... I'll try anything twice :)

[Hongsermeier]

Reason's I use baby powder. Keeps feet dry. Easy to carry along. With having a 10 month old boy it's always around anyway. :cross_eye

[m_french]

And I thought it was to avoid un-necessary chaffing from your pampers custom fit cruisers....see ya at chuo...pretty boy.:beard:

[samurai999]

Baby powder also keeps you dry. No wetness or moisture on your... Hmmm. Sounds like a feminine product commercial. :D

My modified version of turning. Anything to avoid twisting on my left foot. LOLOLOL

Tim

[kendomushi]

I imagine not even baby powder keeps you from standing or sitting in a pool of your own sweat when taking a moments break in a nice long hot summer keiko.

:p

[m_french]

Kendomushi I concur completely...it's frickin' hot here now. Nothing worse than feeling the rivers of sweat run down your leg when you go into sankyo.....or when your gi starts to weigh 10 pounds because it is absolutely soaked.:beard:

[Hongsermeier]

AAwwwww...is mr french a little hot?? My gi wasn't that wet monday. It had two dry spots, about 2 in X 3 in on the back of each arm. :cross_eye

[m_french]

sounds to me like your not putting forth enough effort:beard:

[Hongsermeier]

I'll try harder next week. :cross_eye

[emitbrownne]

The baby powder worked a treat... thanks.

[Yellow Savage]

On the subject of turning, and something related, in training after hitting Kote-Men do pass your partner to the left or to the right of them? I assume to the right and hence turning anti-clockwise

[taiwnezboi]

After kote-men you pass to your right (your partner's left).

[Neil Gendzwill]

After kote-men you pass to your right (your partner's left).
Either way is fine. You can go left or right hitting just kote too.