Team Fighting Positions

[James]

Fighting Positions, In team matches , whaddya think?
Is it as simple as the least experienced people fight first. Do you have a prefered position to fight in? why?. Do you subscribe to the various tactics such as maybe putting second best person in first to hopefully beat an inexperienced player and so start the match with a pyschological advantage for your team (ie if higher number is most experienced fighting 4,1,2,3,5)?

[James]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, maybe we could have a 'shiai' category (Alex, Hamish).

[Will]

I prefer being senpo or jiho for pressure purposes. I can usually win my match as long as I don't feel pressured that I *must* win. Chuken is a bit tougher because sometimes it comes down to me and I can't handle it. I've never been taisho, i've been fukusho once, and it didn't make much of a difference whether i won or not, but again, I can't take the pressure of the higher positions.

[kendokamax]

I always fought senpo, I like senpo since it is you who set the tone in a match. I just go all for the victory, and if I lose then other guys will a harder time in my team lol. simple as that.

I normaly win very fast or lose very fast too. Just a matter of making things roll well or not. but at least some action :)

I think when a team is very strong taisho should be the best player in a team. But when we went to some taikai we sometimes put our less experienced fighter fight the best one of the other team, since our team is not too strong we usualy use little cheap tactics like that........also things like naming our A team D team lol.

The other day when team canada went to our club to train, we had dinner with them and they talked about the team order , it was suposly very interesting but they were talking in japanese so i couldnt understand anything :( but i understood that they change the order depending on which team they fight. interesting....

They were also hoping not to face the Korean team before the medals round (if you remember well Korea creamed Brazil (which is a very good team) 10 ippon to 0..

[Ares2907]

Will, IMHO the first three positions are the most high-pressure positions. They carry large amounts of responsibility with them. The senpo has to set the tone of the whole shiai to come, win or lose. If you perform better whilst not under pressure, then more power to you, but be in no doubt that senpo has the expectation to win in dynamic fashion. Jiho is the point-getter's position. They are there to consolidate the performance of the senpo or to steady the ship. Jiho can 'answer back' if senpo loses, or really put the pressure on the opposition if he makes it 2 wins in a row. Chuken should have solid dependable kendo. It can all be won or lost based on the strength of his performance.
I really think that there are no 'low-pressure' positions in a team. You need to understand the position you are playing in and keep the results of your team-mates in mind. If you don't like those sorts of details, then the last couple of positions aren't for you.
I also strongly believe that the type of kendo that you do will suit you to one or perhaps two team positions (obviously which one/s these are may change as your kendo progresses).
Personally I prefer 'Jiho' position. It's just where I feel comfortable.

[AlexM]

Well done Max. You just gave away our strategy.....or did he?

[kendokamax]

oups!!!

but hum i think every cheap teams like ours has this strategy.

[saki_wooah]

... bravo max.

[Kendoka]

Originally posted by James
[B]Fighting Positions, In team matches

Aren't the names of the team positions, taken from Japanese military strategy, and are also the names of positions of various functions of a land battle?

If so, then each may have a particular role or task.

Anyone know more?

R

[KENSHIN]

I have yet to play in a team for a shai. Therefore I have picked the last option, "Hell anywhere, if I ever get picked for the team" :D I guess I am still dreaming of the day when or if I get to fight for a team. But I doubt my help would be needed :( anyhoooo.....