Synchronizing the Jumping Men Strike

[twotoedgiraffe]

I can't feel that my feet are moving faster than my arms, though I'm reminded that this is the case. There's still a split's difference though the timing has improved apparently. Any suggestions about how I can even detect this....actually I would be able to probably work on fixing this if i could figure out what I'm doing wrong first apparently. Thanks :) :old_man:

[Caleb]

There really isn't any secret to shuriaki suburi, but it might help just to break the exercise down into two parts. First is the foot work. On shuriaki suburi (dont know the spelling, just the sound) you dont actually jump. It has a faster pace, but you still push off like regular foot work. Next is the swinging of the sword. On the back step, make your shinai go up, and on the downstroke make it...strike. So as you do the suburi, say in your head- back, forward, back, forward. I had the same problem when I started- so just make it a simple mechanical exercise, not an abstract physical idea your trying to follow. Same with other suburi and excersises. Dont put a dollar weight on a dime and make it more complicated than it really needs to be.

[orayakab]

There really isn't any secret to shuriaki suburi, but it might help just to break the exercise down into two parts. First is the foot work. On shuriaki suburi (dont know the spelling, just the sound) you dont actually jump. It has a faster pace, but you still push off like regular foot work.

What the Hell is Shuriaki Suburi?

[jmarsten]

unknown suburi to me, description is that of choyaku suburi more commonly referred to as haya-suburi

[Caleb]

sorry. I seriously thaught it was shuriaki or churi-ake suburi. The fast one. Heck, Ive never seen in spelt out, and im not exactly japanese. Im working on the vocab right now--

[Neil Gendzwill]

At any rate, the original poster was probably asking about tobikomi-men.

Beginner's timing for tobikomi-men: stand in chudan. Raise up your shinai, still standing (don't move your feet). Swing way back, left hand above your head (don't move your feet). Start to swing forward (don't move your feet). At the point where your left hand is at eye level, step forward. This is a good starting point for the timing. Right now your swing is slow and your step is fast, so you are most likely hitting after your foot.

NB: People find it very very hard to be patient and not step before the right time, even when I'm there in person saying "now" or something like that, so this bit of internet advice may fail.

[kendokamax]

interesting

here peolpe are teached to move the right foot before anything else

[Neil Gendzwill]

here peolpe are teached to move the right foot before anything else
What, for tobikomi-men? That's a very advanced timing that works well with a small attack, or a big one if you've got a very very quick swing. I'd never use it teaching beginners personally.

[twotoedgiraffe]

Thanks to everyone for all the responses.....I think Neil's post has been my problem with the strike since I started roughly two years ago. The strike has gotten better, but that right foot is still prematurely executed before the strike. There is a slight lunging forward motion that apparently I'm not doing when the strike comes down. Dunno, but I probably should correct these things best to my ability before the first promotion I take.

[Neil Gendzwill]

If you've been playing 2 years, ignore my previous advice. What you've got now is a bad habit more than a beginner's timing problem. I suggest a lot of work alone with a target dummy or held shinai, trying to rework your timing. Listen for the sound of your foot and shinai hitting together (don't kiai while you're working on this). I would have to see you in person to say what exactly is wrong.

[twotoedgiraffe]

Thanks for the advice Neil. I have already started sketching a design to build a homemade dummy that I can practice with. I'm not sure what the bad habit is and cannot feel the difference. I am told that there is no snap for the big men strike and perhaps that's making a difference. You wouldn't happen to be in the Southeast would you?

[Neil Gendzwill]

Nope, I'm in Canada. Snap may be a problem for you, but it's probably seperate from the timing issue. You should ask your sensei for help with this.