aches related to stomping

[officer_fujita]

My right foot as well as my knee has been aching lately, and I'm sure it's because of training in kendo. Even some of my sempai say they have the same problem. Is this normal? If not, what am I doing wrong? What do I have to do to prevent future complications?

[kendomushi]

There isn't much you can do if you are fairly new to kendo. I'd suggest a knee supporter and a heel pad. These will help lessen the shock and add support while you build up the leg and get used to kendo. Taking an anti-inflamatory medicine like motrin (ibuprofen) an hour before practice might help also.

[Old Warrior]

You're pounding a bare foot down on a hardwood floor repeatedly so it's going to hurt once in a while. Aching is not bad, acute pain needs to be addressed. If you stop training for a few days does it go away? If so, I wouldn't worry too much. Try icing down the areas after exercise and see if that helps. Also, a couple of layers of sports tape does lessen the pounding a bit and I find stays put pretty well without even going around the whol foot.

[Neil Gendzwill]

What sort of surface are you training on? If it's hard, like tile over concrete, you'll want to severely dial back how much stomp you're using.

[qpuppy]

yes.. it's quite normal with the heel... but not with the knee... but all this comes down the one problem... you are not fumikomi ashi correctly... I myself have the problem now with my heel.. and need a heel support ..... but yet still trying to correct my foot work....
I know one thing about fumikomi is that you are not suppose to "stomp" on to the ground when you cut, suppose to be a slide (yes easy said then done)... it suppose to be just a natural byproduct of doing a cut with 'ikentaiichi'.... but i think as we progress in to our kendo life... we tend to approach for speed and distance with our cuts thus it is affecting our fumikomi....

Well this is my point of view.. senpai's.. your views?

[kendokamax]

I have a lot of problem with my fumikomi!

Its really one or maybe the toughest thing to get right at the begining.

I had a bad cut on my heel for about 1 year. Being too lazy too really take care of it. the pain comes and goes.
I have decided not to use a protector even when it hurts . just for trying to get it right witouth it being painfull. I dont really know if thats a good idea.

But i think one of the very important thing is to get your leg the most powerfull possible. So of course your fumikomi would get better uh?

Im trying to find out how to improve it everyday ! give me idea!

[LNGUYEN]

I don't have problem with my right foot but the left foot is killing me. the part which is close to the toes is painful every time after practice. It is because the push. Is it anyway to prevent it or that the way it is?

[Raiza]

LNGUYEN, have a look here if you haven't already.

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=566

[taiwnezboi]

My friend started taking kumdo about 3 weeks ago and he tore a ligament (or something like that) in his left foot. I think he was trying too hard and putting too much stress on his foot when he should have been more relaxed.

[Chook]

You have to make sure if you're a beginner to resist landing on the back of your foot when you stomp. Your feet should connect with the ground just like a plane would if it was coming into land. Try to think of it that way. There will be less of a shock and once you're used to it, it's much better Kendo. Of course. :)

[Charlie]

You have to make sure if you're a beginner to resist landing on the back of your foot when you stomp. Your feet should connect with the ground just like a plane would if it was coming into land. Try to think of it that way. There will be less of a shock and once you're used to it, it's much better Kendo. Of course. :)

Doesn't the plane analogy suggest that the back wheels (heel) hit first, then the front (ball of foot)? I thought they both came down simultaneously.

[Kendoka]

My right foot as well as my knee has been aching lately, and I'm sure it's because of training in kendo. Even some of my sempai say they have the same problem. Is this normal? If not, what am I doing wrong? What do I have to do to prevent future complications?

You need to be a bit careful, I think.

If your knee and foot are both aching, I suspect that you may be stomping on the floor, if you are, you may also end up with a hip problem!

Good fumi-komi-ashi (sometimes referred to as a stomp) will not hurt and is as a result of correct technique. You should not stomp to get the sound.

My suggestion is to review your footwork (with some one else if possible).

The correct technique is to push your hips forward by a thrust generated by the left leg, try to develop a feeling of sliding the right foot forward as you push with the left. Like on a skateboard or a leaf on a pond!

For the practice, try to keep your heel raised a little and the ball of your right foot in contact with the floor while moving forward.

At the time of the shinai landing on the target position, there should be some contact with the floor by the front of the right foot (not the heel) and a bit of weight transfer. Your right knee shoould be very slightly bent during this. That will also assist in absorbing the shock.

The follow through with good okuri-ashi.

In the meantime to minimise further injury, have a beak of a training or two and apply an ice pack for 20 minutes or so to your foot and knee after training and again the day or night after until the pain goes.

If in doubt - see a doctor.

Good luck.

Richard

[Yowai]

Who told you to stomp? Are you angry?
Stomping is an useless movement. Fumikomi is meant to move your right foot forward as far as possible and as quickly as possible. What would a up and down movement do? I have never heard of a referee not giving a point because the sound of a stomp was inadequate.

[kendokamax]

Who told you to stomp? Are you angry?
Stomping is an useless movement. Fumikomi is meant to move your right foot forward as far as possible and as quickly as possible. What would a up and down movement do? I have never heard of a referee not giving a point because the sound of a stomp was inadequate.

but fumikomi must be powerfull!!

[hamish]

The power should come naturally if you have ki-ken-tai-itchi, there's no need to actively stamp down, you are going for distance, as Yowai says, not to make a big noise.

The timing of the fumikomi and how fast and smoothly your left foot comes up afterwards are more important than the amount of power you put into the stamp.

[Chook]

Doesn't the plane analogy suggest that the back wheels (heel) hit first, then the front (ball of foot)? I thought they both came down simultaneously.

I was referring more to the angle of the approach.