1-800-How's My Tenouchi?

[David J]

Here's a thing....what do you think of your own "heaviness" of cut?

We all know we're not supposed to hit too hard...but what does that actually mean? I can tell when I'm on the receiving end how hard people hit, and the seniors do hit "just so", but how can you ever tell how hard you yourself hit? Obviously if you're a Conan, you'll get told, and I once got told "HIT IT!" by my motodatchi when I was evidently being too light (i've also been told I was being too heavy....)

I wish there was some way to practice this and know what my men cuts feel like to receive. Maybe some kind of device made from a men with coloured lights (and sound fx) to indicate too soft / too hard / just right....

I'm assuming that in time (I've heard 3 years) it will all feel natural. But in shiai...does everyone lose it and hit too hard?

<rei>

Dave

[alexpollijr]

Well, it's an interesting subject


In my experience, if you strike too hard you're probably doing something wrong, like using the right hand as the motion hand. However, some people hit hard for the sake of hitting hard. The technique is correct and they can snap and tighten the grip at the moment of contact but still they hit hard. From what I've heard, they fear that in shiai the shinpam would not raise the flag with the blow is too soft.

When I was beginning a while ago, people used to tell me that I should use force enough to cut up to the eyes, not to the groin, so I held to that notion.

SO, today I use this amount of strenght in kihon, keiko and shiai , and it seems to be working just fine.

[mingshi]

Advice on the subject from a couple of Sensei/senpai,

"Just like grabbing a stick and hit the drum."
"Just like a boxer. A boxer only holds his hands tight when he punches. Any other time his hands are relaxed."
"Make the tip of your shinai stay on top of the target for 1 second before pulling it out."
"Practice twisting the Tenegui."
"Don't just stand there. Finish the cut by moving your whole body forward."
"Twist your right hand *further in* for receiving Kote cuts."

There is a very nice "pok" sound you can make with the bamboo stick and the targets (okay not with Tsuki). A combination of a good cut with the stamping is always very enjoyable to the ears!

[JSchmidt]

Hmm..depends on what I'm doing.
The first 2-3 sets of kiri-kaeshi, yeah probably too hard...but then one of the purposes of it, is to loosen up the shoulders.
Same goes with the initial kihon men cuts.
I've taken great care, though, to control the kote cuts.
On a slightly different note, I suspect some of my jodan cuts are harder than my chudan cuts..and there you can't accuse me of using too much right hand :D.
Best way to find out, is to ask your peers. I don't think there's anything wrong with having a 'firm' cut.

Jakob

[kendokamax]

after watching my video from last week taikai.

I think i tend to hit a little bit too light.

When i see 3rd dan and up! i can see they hit with a good amount of force..
maybe my fumikomi is not strong enough also

fun fun