Okuri-Ashi

[k3nsh1n]

Dont know if an entirely new thread is necessary for this topic but on with the question..

Im experiencing quite abit of difficulty with okuriashi.
Not because i dont know what to do but since my right foot just wont slide.
I know that in the beginning stages beginners cant slide efficiently
with a lack of callouses on the feet, humidity making feet stick e.t.c
but my problem is if i cant slide my feet i end up 'half stepping' coz if i try to slide it will either stick and make me trip forward or i just cant move my feet in a fluid manner. I see some of the higher grades sometimes just 'step' but im not too sure if i want to do this. Wouldnt i develop bad habbits?
Any suggestions for improving the right foot?

Thnx in Advance

[Nanbanjin]

Dont know if an entirely new thread is necessary for this topic but on with the question..

Im experiencing quite abit of difficulty with okuriashi.
Not because i dont know what to do but since my right foot just wont slide.
I know that in the beginning stages beginners cant slide efficiently
with a lack of callouses on the feet, humidity making feet stick e.t.c
but my problem is if i cant slide my feet i end up 'half stepping' coz if i try to slide it will either stick and make me trip forward or i just cant move my feet in a fluid manner. I see some of the higher grades sometimes just 'step' but im not too sure if i want to do this. Wouldnt i develop bad habbits?
Any suggestions for improving the right foot?

Thnx in Advance

You have said that you know how to do okuri ashi, but if your feet aren't sliding I think the problem is highly likely to be related to how you are using your feet, not with your foot or the surface of the floor.
I am going for a walk as it is starting to cool and I have been sitting in front of my computer too long today. I promise I will ellaborate at a later date.

[nodachi]

I always have issues at the beginning of practice with sweaty feet sticking to the floor. Not disgustingly sweaty but the typical moisture when wearing socks and shoes. When you get to practice you just need to scuffle your feet on the floor until they are nice and dirty/dusty and the moisture on your feet is gone. Then they will slide real nice. Be the first one to pick up the broom and sweep the floor walking around using proper kendo footwork. That will help too. After a couple minutes there shouldn't be any issues. I think it's more of a moisture problem than a callous problem if your feet aren't sliding. Unless your weight is way off, but it's probably the moisture.

[hamish]

Try talcum powder or chalk dust on your feet if its just a mechanical problem, but try asking your sensei/sempai, I'm sure its easier for them to see your footwork than us!

Hamish

[Nanbanjin]

Dont know if an entirely new thread is necessary for this topic but on with the question..

Im experiencing quite abit of difficulty with okuriashi.
Not because i dont know what to do but since my right foot just wont slide.
I know that in the beginning stages beginners cant slide efficiently
with a lack of callouses on the feet, humidity making feet stick e.t.c
but my problem is if i cant slide my feet i end up 'half stepping' coz if i try to slide it will either stick and make me trip forward or i just cant move my feet in a fluid manner. I see some of the higher grades sometimes just 'step' but im not too sure if i want to do this. Wouldnt i develop bad habbits?
Any suggestions for improving the right foot?

Thnx in Advance
I did a little research and proved myself wrong.
It seems that if your feet don't slide you can cause damage to your achilles tendon.
By the way, do other people at your club suffer from the same problem? It might be the flooring, not your feet.

An interesting aside is that the opposite case where the floor is too slippery is seen as not a problem to some instructors. If your balance and footwork is correct it shouldn't matter how slippery floor is.
I found a reference that said Sensei a generation or so ago used to make the floor slippery deliberately.

For those who can read Japanese the following forum thread might be interesting.

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~ichini/bbs4/378862872327776.html

[Nabeel]

Well my last practice was a nightmare. I in my attempts to slide (suri ashi), I couldn't do it and ended having to drag my feet as it seems to have too much friction. I tripped up so much that my stance collasped, my 'cuts' went all over the place and I got sapped quickly. This just further proves to everyone the importance of footwork.

Anyone got any other pointers for suri ashi? What I got from my instructer is to align the left toe and right heel, horizontal distance between left and right feet not too small and big, lift left heel and right heel slightly and bend both knees slightly. More weight on left feet then right. Push off with the left foot and slide.

The problem I face is that when I try to slide either feet across the floor it always feels as if theres too much friction, and when I try to drag them along anyway I trip. Any help?