shodan exam advice

[fbeca]

I'm 21 and I have been practising kendo for two years on a regular basis, and next sunday I'll be taking the shodan exam in UK at the kodokan seminar (since in Portugal the first time we had exams was on the european championship...).

Anyone with some good advice for me that would like to share?:)

[Genya]

You´ll find lots of good information by searching these forums...

But what you have to do is show good men strike with good kiai and zanshin. Don´t wait for your opponent to make the first move. You have to be the one to strike first.
And katas 1-5 or 1-7 without too many mistakes.

[shred_lord]

Don't lose track of time. You've got 1:30 at the most per match. Split it into manageable chunks.

30sec Get 2 or 3 good cuts
30sec Dominate to get a half decent oji-waza
30sec Wind it up to finish on a high

Don't do kirikeashi too fast.

Don't block in keiko unless you've provoked their attack specifically to do a "blocking" ojiwaza. It doesn't matter if they cut you. You will fail for overly obstructive Kendo.

You'll never fail for being too loud.

Don't be too hard on yourself. - Remember, it's only Shodan.

If your Sensei says you are ready, then give the best you already have and it will be sufficient.

Do kata 1-3 confidently and without failing over.

Something like that anyway.

Good luck!

[fbeca]

In katas I think I'm ok for this level, and accordingly to the BKA site I will only have to do katas 1-3 but I know well the 7 and some of kodachi 1-3.

My problem is that I might be nervous and end up messing things up in ji-geiko part...specially if my partner is not good...like how do you get the proper maai if he is always coming too close?

[GMason]

I have just copied in below something I posted here ages ago about grading.... I have cut out the kata section as you have that covered and also the format of the grading section.... so below is just my advice for the Shinai section as that is the bit you are more worried about.... If you do a search there is a whole thread with lots of grading advice on it (If you search for a thread created by Commander you should find easly)

just some extra advice..... for the shinai section

Watch what happens in the groups that go on before you and get it straight in your mind......

so you at least look like you know what you are doing even if in reality your mind is saying arrrgggghhh get me out of here !!!!.

When you change sides.... there is no need to run across infront of the panel.... just walk quickly and naturaly try and keep dignity and and air of confidence as if to say... yep I know what I am doing.....

Also one last thing about where you stand etc..... once you have finished kirikieshi go back to where you started.... when you finish fencing go back to where you started.... again there is nothing worse than watching someone take a grading, finish the grading and then stand at the wrong side.... whilst the floor manager tells him where to stand and the guy having a blank look on his face as if to say what do you mean. (You have obviously already graded at least once but... it should hopefully give you that extra edge !!)

[shred_lord]

Do kata 1-3 confidently and without failing over. That of course should read "without falling over"

One answer your question: As soon as they cross your cutting distance.... hit them on the head with your stick :)

[shred_lord]

To build on what (the other) Gareth said.

Before the grading go to the starting mark and see if you can feel the tape with your toes. This will help you find the line without looking down.

I imagine it can shake you confidence if you are told to stand up and move to the line after you go into sonkyo (I see this happen to 4 or 5 every grading)

For the same reason, take 3 good sized step back from the line. This is where you should walk to for rei. If you just take one step then rei, you end up far to far to reach the line in 3 steps.

[JCM]

I am hoping to do my Shodam in Spain at the end of September.

I was told that for kata you shouldn't mess up the footwork, if you can manage that you should be ok, is this the case?

It would also be my first written exam, is the common practice to hand in the answers prior to the grading?

One last thing, I was told trying a dou cut during the grading is not a good idea, is this so?

Thanks

[shred_lord]

For Kata the footwork needs to be approximately correct. Make sure you take the correct number of steps, the correct foot is forward and the back heel is up. Apart from that make sure you cut the correct target. Do it in time with the majority.

Yes, you hand the paper in beforehand. Make sure the have it pre-written.

Don't initiate a Do on purpose. If Do just happens automatically, don't beat yourself up over it. (I did Kaeshi Do in my ikkyu and got away with it)

[JCM]

Ta,

About men cuts, I have been told to do them as big as possible, but I have a feeling is not going to be too practical. in reality they will probably turn into medium size men cuts, are small and medium cuts frowned upon?

Another one: Is harai waza ok for gradings?

[shred_lord]

I reckon and mix is good. Just make sure the small cuts are very positive.

This is one of the reasons I did a kote nuke men for nidan. The men cut comes from Jodan and so is plenty big enough.

Edit: Oh, another thing. Don't fall into the mudu-aiuchi(sp?) trap. Neither of you look good if you keiko goes...

Argh...... Ai-Men........Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh......Ai-Men ........ Argh...... Ai-Men........etc :)

[JCM]

This is one of the reasons I did a kote nuke men for nidan. The men cut comes from Jodan and so is plenty big enough.

We were practicing this again yesterday, I found the most difficult thing is to know when to use it as well as when not to use it (you start expecting kote and all of a sudden you get a hit on the head). I am still a bit crap at reading people.



I'm starting to feel like I am all over the place with everything, every time I think about grading during regular practice I completely c*ck up my kiri-kaeshi.

[shred_lord]

Perfectly normal pre-grading nerves.

[dwez]

I should imagine that following the seminar you will be so chock full of confidence and new skills that the grading will seem like a walk in the park. I know that's how I felt at Stoke, the seminar was really geared to getting you through it. I believe emitbrownne said it once that they are not there to fail you but to pass you, and that was said practically verbatim on the day.

Kodokan is a unique seminar though by all accounts and I imagine that the quality instruction you will receive from the high grade visitors will have a set focus. You will improve your kendo no doubt so don't worry but I shouldn't think they will focus on getting you through the grading, I'd imagine that would be only a small goal considering the quality of the people who will teaching. I could be wrong though, regardless I wish I was in your shoes and going.

[neanderthal]

hope my info can help!

i just passed my shodan on monday!!! yeah lucky me!

taking it japan i had the language barrier but that was no problem.

i had the 1 kyu on the saturday and sho dan on the monday.

first was the shia part, each going individualally and only for about 20 seconds as there was around 300 of us.

then the kata which i totally messed up, i was hoping for uchidachi and got the other end. damn!!! anyway having never done kata properly as i practice with elementary kids who cant take shodan i knew i would mess it up.

they gave me a 2nd chance, which i did kata 1,2 and 5. 1 was fine, 2 i went first which was nerves as 2 is the easiest and 5 i cant remeber as the nerves just went. but the judges called me up before they anounced who passed and discussed it all and so long as i understood where i went wrong and that i promise to practice kata more they would pass me.

then came the paper test. 3 questions from a choice of 5. very very simple questions as you are in with 12 year olds who arent the academic type. i saw their answers and they were very brief. the 3 questions were explain zanshin, kokorogome, and kikentai ichi. the other 2 on the paper were where do you look what you face the opponent and explain kirikaishi.

all so simple.

so my advice is dont worry about the paper test or the kendo aspect as your training will naturally come into it instinctively. thats what we train for isnt it. win or lose just use a loud voice and youve passed.

kata is very important. please practice lots and get it spot on as its done slow and smooth there is time for nerves to appear. but practice makes perfect.

relax and enjoy meeting new people and sharing kendo. if you pass or fail dont worry its the experience which counts and the enjoyment of the test.

i dont feel shodan material as they gave me a second chance. so to make up for that i will practice even harder until i feel ive reached that level.

goodluck and relax, kendo is fun!!!!

think yourself lucky too i had 3 days of wearing bogu with 36c temps outside and inside i can imagine it was 45c or above and with no fresh air the sweat just poured off.

you cant get your shodan unless you sweat!!!! show that sweat and they will award you the grade.

[SmellsLikeBogu]

my shodan exam is coming up in a couple of months too :)

dont worry to much if your sensei says you are ready, you are ready :)

grading criteria can differ between federations, so I can't really tell you what the British guys will be looking for ...

[Inner_Silence]

im going for shodan too, in the south american tournament, in a couple of months from now. there are some things that i have to get, but ive been in this for about 4-5 years, so i feel confident right now. but i dont know how i WILL feel in the moment... i hope not as nervous as I was when I did 1-kyu

[EBP2K2]

hHAHAHAHA finally i can use this line:

"i passed shodan with massive hangover"

no biggie.

[JoDuncan]

To spark fear into the gradees... I had a mate fail his shodan, for one step!

can you guess what step?

Shodan is like a confirmation for ikkyu, not like a huge step up, more like a firmer establishing of the basic-basics.

Shred's advice is real good, cheers G. Rep gremlins prevent me from rewarding you with some in the mouth.

For my ikkyu i made a complete cock up of the starting position. Didn't go into my brain, what they said to do. I was like "Taste my pain!" and the Sensei were like "Yo, arsehole! back to the cross!"

[Theodore]

I reckon and mix is good. Just make sure the small cuts are very positive.

This is one of the reasons I did a kote nuke men for nidan. The men cut comes from Jodan and so is plenty big enough.

Edit: Oh, another thing. Don't fall into the mudu-aiuchi(sp?) trap. Neither of you look good if you keiko goes...

Argh...... Ai-Men........Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh...... Ai-Men........ Argh......Ai-Men ........ Argh...... Ai-Men........etc :)

Jeff Marsten sensei calls this kind of kendo The Anvil Chorus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anvil_Chorus).

[Gideon]

Jeff Marsten sensei calls this kind of kendo The Anvil Chorus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anvil_Chorus).

Man I miss Tiny Toons...

[Inner_Silence]

shodan test this weekend for me... :S

[HandsomeWarrior]

JCM, are you taking the exams at Vitoria? In that case I´ll probably be there watching your performance. Good luck.

[bullet08]

don't think too much about the exam. it will only put bunch of weird idea in your head. drink plenty of beer, and relax.

and i'm following my own advice. i decided not to read any post on KWF about waza, concept, and other stuff that goes into detail about kendo.

nidan test in about a week.. i hate test. i wish they give exam on beer drinking ability.

pete

[MikeW]

Beer-Do!!!

[Inner_Silence]

SHODAN TEST TOMORROW!!!!!! :s:s:s:s:s:s

[Masahiro]

good luck on the test, give it your all and leave no regrets.

[Inner_Silence]

Got Shodan Yeah!!!!!!!!! :d:d:d:d

[Gideon]

grats!!!!!!!!!!!

[Inner_Silence]

thnx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D:D

[JCM]

Enhorabuena!!

had to postpone my grading due to unexpected expenses this month, couldn't afford to travel :(

[lucy]

Got Shodan Yeah!!!!!!!!! :d:d:d:d

Well done! :)

[Inner_Silence]

.. :D:D:D:D:D

now the path begins...

[neanderthal]

Got Shodan Yeah!!!!!!!!! :d:d:d:d

a big congratulations!!!!!

:smiley:

now the real hard work begins!

welcome to the shodan club although i have no idea what that means!

congratulations anyway!!!!!

[Martino]

Got Shodan Yeah!!!!!!!!! :d:d:d:d

As I told one of the women at our club when I handed her, her certificate a couple of weeks ago:

Congratulations! Now you have the basic movements, you can now start learning Kendo!

(Looking at the facial expression of my fellow club members was golden. Ranging from the 'So True' of the Dan grades, to the 'yere right, in joke' from the rank beginners)

[Inner_Silence]

bonus track: there was also the

sayonara party 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nG7_3C75QQ)
sayonara party 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJqlhVD3W-k)

looks like I missed the best part

[ZtefaNNN[K]]

the best part was after the restaurant ahahah.

[Inner_Silence]

;287008']the best part was after the restaurant ahahah.

what do you mean???

...i guess there where some girls involved in the after-after party, as always...

[ZtefaNNN[K]]

you just missed it I guess.... let´s just say sayonara twirling dancing madness

[HandsomeWarrior]

From those youtube videos you can tell they certainly have grasped the fundamentals of kendo. Wonderful tenouchi and zanshin there :D