react & big cuts

[goshawk]

I'm just wondering, after last few sessions of trainings, i found myself slow in react to sempai's opening for big cuts.

This happens when I was doing free training with sampais (anyone knows the term of this please? ;) ) after number of kiriaeshi. They want me to pressure them in chudan-no-kamae and they will open either man/kote/do for me to cut through in anytime.

I react really slow when they open for cuts, and i thought there's something i'm doing wrong in putting my wieght? I have to change my weight to left feet when i'm stepping using my right feet to keep the distance, is there anyway to improve this so i can adjust myself to cut faster when open is made?

thanks :wink:

[Jagaimo]

I'm just wondering, after last few sessions of trainings, i found myself slow in react to sempai's opening for big cuts.

This happens when I was doing free training with sampais (anyone knows the term of this please? ;) ) after number of kiriaeshi. They want me to pressure them in chudan-no-kamae and they will open either man/kote/do for me to cut through in anytime.

I react really slow when they open for cuts, and i thought there's something i'm doing wrong in putting my wieght? I have to change my weight to left feet when i'm stepping using my right feet to keep the distance, is there anyway to improve this so i can adjust myself to cut faster when open is made?

thanks :wink:

Kakarigeiko and I am assuming that you just mistyped kirikaeshi.

[qpuppy]

I think he is talking about Uchikomi Keiko...

Being slow doesnt matter... it just means you not used to cutting all the different targets when you dont know what to expect. Is it a Men? or Kote? or Do? the main point of the execise is enable you to make the cut properly, like hitting at the right place (eg Do cuts.. juniors tend to hit too high or too low.. then again.. i have that problem too... :p) cutting with tenuchi, getting your distance right, kikentaichi (eee..is that how you spell it?!?!?) and zanshin.... all that is more important at the moment...
Dont worry about being slow at reaction to the openings.. soon you will be faster and you can see what your senpai will be opening to you as he moves and sooner or later you will react to it much much faster...
so hang in there..

cheers

[goshawk]

Thanks for replys :D This reacting is more related to experience, Uchikomi Keiko (yeah this sounds like what sempai were saying :P), proberly the most problem for me as beginner is spelling the terms, it is really hard when i heard japanese words and trying to figure how to spell it, and remember it :D

[Haggis]

As qpuppy said speed doesn't matter, it will come in time. Concentrate on improving your footwork, your distance (as in how far you have to move forward), the motion of your arms and your posture.

[goshawk]

As qpuppy said speed doesn't matter, it will come in time. Concentrate on improving your footwork, your distance (as in how far you have to move forward), the motion of your arms and your posture.
arms, yes, I've been told that i tend to raise my shoulder a little bit before i do my cut, as opponent will know when am i going to cut easily. :lick:

[Chook]

That's very true. Once you've been training for a while, you get to read people's movements easier.

[Rawoo]

Yep
after awhile u will feel the tension building up
and u get a extra sense of some kind
and u gotta think think big, think broad, think high
dont narrow ur vision
the steps u gotta have to go through is:
1. strike after ur opponent made his move (reacting to him)
2. strike at the same time as ur opponent (feeling him!)
3. strike just before he makes his move (predicting him!)

[Shazzanzzz]

keep your left knee straight, keep your center of mass balanced, and through practice, you will be able to react to things quickly.

[Pokie]

yes, it will need some time to get used to it, but later on, ul sense an opening even when ur opponent is in kamae, but keep trying ur best I'm sure you will pick it up pretty ok later.

[ben]

[QUOTE=goshawk}I react really slow when they open for cuts, and i thought there's something i'm doing wrong in putting my wieght? I have to change my weight to left feet when i'm stepping using my right feet to keep the distance, is there anyway to improve this so i can adjust myself to cut faster when open is made?[/QUOTE]

Rather than taking your weight off your left foot first, simply allow your weight to start falling forward. Make sure your hara (centre of gravity, ie just below your stomach) is the thing that's moving first, not your shoulders. Also make sure your kensen (sword-tip) is heading for your opponent's throat. As your weight falls forward, push off strongly with your left foot. Keep your upper body straight. The stronger you push off with your left, the more natural your fumikomi (the "stamp" with your right foot) will feel.

If you let your weight fall forward like this, there is no need to "un-weight" you right foot before moving.

Being able to move well is more important than being able to move fast. Speed comes as a natural by-product of relaxation and efficiency, not muscular tension and exertion.

b