You know, about doh...

[Charlie]

I was always reluctant to use doh in my keiko, but have become something of a doh junky. I got a little different perspective after a mentor of mine urged us to do it more often, with sutemi, completely throw yourself into it with a "kill 'em!" attitude. This has encouraged me to use it more often and, you know what, when you get one, even if it's not ippon, it feels good, and you want more. The first one's free, folks.

Anyway, I'm really loving doh lately. I either like to do it with sutemi as describes or the way one of my sensei does it: from a little farther out, maybe to-ma, maybe not that far, press into tsuki with plenty of seme, moving forward, up as if to cut men and then BAM.

I have always loved doh even while admitting it was difficult because it is THE classic samurai chanbara movie cut, isn't it? I mean, Toshiro Mifune walking up on a bunch of ruffians in Sanjuro, SLASH, SLASH, SLASH, down they go.

I've also been doing more tsuki, by the way, with persons of shodan or higher, both because I feel I'm ready and because of our recent threads here on it.

[JSchmidt]

Suicide-do's are fun!!

Jakob

[nikolaj]

Well, most of the time, when our sensei tells us to trie for ippon, I take it while scoring do...
I love it, there's nothing more satisfieing in a shiai for me than diving under the opponents shinai for a do^^

[Lloromannic]

I really like Do. It is my most effective shiai waza too. The only problem I have is when people try to do sutemi-do and fail miserably. Not just a miss, I mean the times when someone believes that just because he moved his shinai towards my tsuki I will magically lift up my arms to open Do. I then proceed to get whacked on the arm.
One other difficulty for me is hitting Do on shorter people. Although at 1.78 I am no towering giant, Mexico's average height is 1.67 so generally I face shorter opponents.
Still, the sound of a proper Do is one of the best.

[kendokamax]

I don't like that kind of do where you fake men and go do. but it can be usefull, and works quite well. But sometimes people overuse it to the extends that even if you are still in kamae they will hit your arm with full force.

[nikolaj]

I don't like that kind of do where you fake men and go do. but it can be usefull, and works quite well. But sometimes people overuse it to the extends that even if you are still in kamae they will hit your arm with full force.
THAT can indeed be a real pain...
However I only go for do after a waza or as a counterattack for a men.

[Halcyon]

I'll use gyaku-do with beginners who like to block their men. Rids them of that bad habit pretty quickly.

[Seiza_Seizure]

I love Do cuts. Gyaku Do in particular looks so brutal when you have successfully landed one. Instant death springs to mind. It is rare that I committ to one because it is so difficult for me to get the timing, and precsion right. It's hard enough with normal Do cuts. On the very rare occasion, when I have landed a Gyaku Do, I lift my shinai to cut Men, and my opponent raises his/hers to parry. In that split second I cut Gyaku Do. Recently I landed one successfully and was acknowledged by my opponent for it. Having landed it affectivly, I was overwhelmed and suprised as he was, and failed to get back into Kamae with zanshin. So despite landing it correctly, I was still was not totally pleased with it.

[mad_god]

A sensei I know likes to hit the right and left sides in one sequence, when opponent comes to the Men.
Very impressive and beautiful.

MG

[kanyil]

A sensei I know likes to hit the right and left sides in one sequence, when opponent comes to the Men.
Very impressive and beautiful. MG

Umm. I might have seen something like that in a video somewhere. How does it work exactly? Is it a migi-doh forwards followed by a gyaku-doh backwards?

[The great I AM]

I don't like that kind of do where you fake men and go do. but it can be usefull, and works quite well. But sometimes people overuse it to the extends that even if you are still in kamae they will hit your arm with full force.

I prefer to actually hit the men, using it as a nidan waza instead of a fake. Yoko men-dou, its great! Or his leary cousin yoko men-gyaku dou!

[Fonsz]

Umm. I might have seen something like that in a video somewhere. How does it work exactly? Is it a migi-doh forwards followed by a gyaku-doh backwards?
I saw Yamashiro Sensei perform this feat in Paris at the Ken no Michi Seminar.
It's nuki do followed by the gyaku do and he just stepped a bit to the side while the attacker a National Team Member tried to score his fastest zashi Men. Muzukashii!!!

[Charlie]

"Suicide doh." This is a great way of putting it.

Question: this mentor in particular - who is not one of the sensei, but an older long-time kendoist with a lot of knowledge and skill and has taken on a mentoring/coaching role for some of us - advised us: just cut the doh and don't worry about hitting someone on the arms or in the elbow. There's no sorry in kendo. Those were his exact words, "There's no 'sorry' in kendo." I think, to clarify, he meant this specifically for somewhat advanced players, say ikkyu and shodan, who are able to work on techniques like this, where the possibility exists that you'll accidentally strike your partner some place this is not covered by the bogu, but I think it extends to all kendo - unless you really do something thoughtlessly, there's no reason to say sorry during keiko, because these kinds of accidents are expected. Thoughts?

[Rularn]

"There's no 'sorry' in kendo."

For the most part, this is correct as you are facing off with someone and not dancing with them. It isn't like you stepped on their toe or something. BUT you have to practice some moderation in your kendo. It is no longer life or death. That being said, you shouldn't be tsuki'ing people to death just because you think you can... especially if you are missing. Just like you shouldn't being trying to hit dou while knowing you will be hitting their elbow/arm all the time.

Of course if you tag them on the arm and on the side of the neck a couple of times, you can probably get a good men more easily simply because they are distracted now with the pain. But that isn't ideal.

[kendokamax]

"Suicide doh." This is a great way of putting it.

Question: this mentor in particular - who is not one of the sensei, but an older long-time kendoist with a lot of knowledge and skill and has taken on a mentoring/coaching role for some of us - advised us: just cut the doh and don't worry about hitting someone on the arms or in the elbow. There's no sorry in kendo. Those were his exact words, "There's no 'sorry' in kendo." I think, to clarify, he meant this specifically for somewhat advanced players, say ikkyu and shodan, who are able to work on techniques like this, where the possibility exists that you'll accidentally strike your partner some place this is not covered by the bogu, but I think it extends to all kendo - unless you really do something thoughtlessly, there's no reason to say sorry during keiko, because these kinds of accidents are expected. Thoughts?

I totaly agree that if you are thinking that you will miss and hurt the opponent you will never have the guts to hit something strongly.
But I was more talking about someone doing that fake men do thing 4-5 times in the same shiai/keiko, when it becomes so obvious that you arent even surprise by it. That you are seeing it comming from far far far away and you know it's going to hurt... I hate that!
...
hmm but maybe if i see it comming from so far i should try do- otoshi men.....

[JSchmidt]

There's no sorry in kendo. Those were his exact words, "There's no 'sorry' in kendo."

I agree mostly. First, we start out with rei and 'onegai shimasu'..there's your first apology...and really all that is needed. From there on, as long as you are genuinly trying to cut the target (Cut, not whack, smash, rip, whathaveyou), then, if you miss, it's ok. That's why we practice, so we can become better and learn not to miss. Now, if you start whacking at things with more power/speed than you can really control, then you should probably back down to a level, where you can.


Jakob

[Charlie]

Good points, guys.

[Galo]

I agree mostly. First, we start out with rei and 'onegai shimasu'..there's your first apology...and really all that is needed. From there on, as long as you are genuinly trying to cut the target (Cut, not whack, smash, rip, whathaveyou), then, if you miss, it's ok. That's why we practice, so we can become better and learn not to miss. Now, if you start whacking at things with more power/speed than you can really control, then you should probably back down to a level, where you can.


Jakob

I totally agree with you, Jakob, particularly on the "whack, smash, rip" stuff.

I think we're all aware of a certain amount of risk of being hit accidentally during gigeiko, and that most of us, if not all, have gone throu that phase when our cuts are not as good as they should be and might sometimes hit our opponent on "uprotected" areas, as long as it's not intentional!, but some players take that as an strategy.

As Rularn says, the opponent might be distracted by the pain, but IMO I don't think that's the point. :wink:

[JByrd]

Now, if you start whacking at things with more power/speed than you can really control, then you should probably back down to a level, where you can.


I agree, but the problem is that people assume they are capable of delivering an accurate do at full speed in keiko until they bash you. At the time I write this my right elbow is swollen and purple and sore. Twice in the last three months I have been hit so hard by poorly aimed do strikes that I had to quit practice immediately and ice a hematoma on my elbow the size of half a golf ball. I know a sensei who has daily elbow pain and numbness from the accumulation of damage from bad do strikes.

I personally fear a bad do strike more than a bad tsuki thrust. People respect tsuki because they perceive the potential harm to the recipient. I wish more people would look at do that way.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Maybe you can approach the problem by explaining to people about requiring an actual opening? Whenever we have shiai practice, the flags don't go up for doh unless there was some reason behind the action - if they're just chucking lumber in there and hoping it's gonna be good, it's no point even if they luck out and make good contact.

[Hisham]

The do cut rules but as the teachers and more experienced kenshi said, better know how to make it an open target at the early stages of training instead of just savagely slashing right and left.

[JByrd]

Maybe you can approach the problem by explaining to people about requiring an actual opening?
:)

Yes, we do have these sorts of discussions from time to time, but retention is always a factor.

Some of the wild hits have come at other dojo, and I try really hard to keep my mouth shut when I'm in someone else's dojo unless I'm asked.


Whenever we have shiai practice, the flags don't go up for doh unless there was some reason behind the action - if they're just chucking lumber in there and hoping it's gonna be good, it's no point even if they luck out and make good contact.

That's likely a part of the problem at my club. I'm the highest ranking person at 3 Dan, and I don't yet have the ability to judge shiai reliably. More shiai/shinpan experience will certainly help, and figures into my training plan.

[Halcyon]

My right elbow has gotten a lot of abuse over the years, mostly from beginners doing random do and hiki-do without creating an opening. Funny how the injuries seem to come in waves, i.e. it won't happen for months, and then it'll get hit over and over for several practices in a row.

Anyway, it can be quite annoying, and sometimes I feel that temptation to tap into that momentary anger, but I find that just taking a deep breath helps me get over it. But if they get me REALLY mad, I'll just use the adrenaline and do a bunch of renzoku waza. Burns off the adrenaline pretty quickly. :)

[Theodore]

I agree, but the problem is that people assume they are capable of delivering an accurate do at full speed in keiko until they bash you. At the time I write this my right elbow is swollen and purple and sore. Twice in the last three months I have been hit so hard by poorly aimed do strikes that I had to quit practice immediately and ice a hematoma on my elbow the size of half a golf ball. I know a sensei who has daily elbow pain and numbness from the accumulation of damage from bad do strikes.

Jon,
Now I'm starting to feel guilty. I thought I tagged you in the ribs and not on the elbow. Sorry (oops, can't say that).:)

[Neil Gendzwill]

Don't be shy to pad up, either. An ostentatious donning of the elbow or wrist pad can maybe clue someone in - at the very least you'll get injured less.

[JByrd]

Jon,
Now I'm starting to feel guilty. I thought I tagged you in the ribs and not on the elbow. Sorry (oops, can't say that).:)

It wasn't you bro, you're fine. I recall that we had a pretty clean and fun match. I also remember you won the ippon shobu at the end... wait until next time!

[projectnavi]

challenges from the forums!

thats nice...anyone from a dojo in montreal ? *grins*

project

[kendokamax]

challenges from the forums!

thats nice...anyone from a dojo in montreal ? *grins*

project

ya me , hello

[projectnavi]

haha, nice to meet you then...

please check your personnal messages.

project

[kanyil]

I agree with "there is no sorry in kendo" bit.

Although I sometimes still can't help but grunt a quick sorry for wayward blows while continuing with the jigeiko. Usually the sempais haul me off to do kakarigeiko when they hear the "sorry" though.

I guess if I had the time/mindset to sorry then I was probably thinking too much?

On a separate issue, the senseis taught us doh-uchitoshi-men quite early on, so that comes in handy when acting as motodachi. For some reason, beginner doh strikes do not bother me, because they are typically too, um, shy to hit very hard. It's people who's been into bogu for sometime, and have gained the confidence, but not skill, to hit hard and on target everytime that reminds me to keep the ol' uchitoshi waza sharp.

[MrUnWaki]

doh should feel like ur cutting through your opponent, if u make a mistake a small hand gesture or a mention after training should suffice, because if u miss its usually because of your lack of skill and aim

[mad_god]

Umm. I might have seen something like that in a video somewhere. How does it work exactly? Is it a migi-doh forwards followed by a gyaku-doh backwards?

As the other poster said, some Nuki (or Ouji) Do followed by a Gyaku Do, moving the steps according opponent's speed and motion.
I also do it, but sometimes works, sometimes not...
Depend on your ability to read the timing and motion when opponent comes to your Men. And of course, his speed!

MG

[Charlie]

As far as opening for the doh, isn't this a bit tricky, in your opinion, in that often the doh opens even as the cut is being executed? Often I "chuck lumber" (lol) because I sense that the opponent will raise his arms for men or to block - sometimes slashing across the arms/elbows is pretty unavoidable, don't you think?

[Theodore]

It wasn't you bro, you're fine. I recall that we had a pretty clean and fun match. I also remember you won the ippon shobu at the end... wait until next time!

OK, I'm ready to quit. :) (Where that kote-nuki-kote came from I'll never know)My mimimal kendo skills have been acknowledged in a public forum. It'll never get better than this. :) I look forward to all of our bouts and I think the score is now about 1000:1.

[Neil Gendzwill]

As far as opening for the doh, isn't this a bit tricky, in your opinion, in that often the doh opens even as the cut is being executed? Often I "chuck lumber" (lol) because I sense that the opponent will raise his arms for men or to block - sometimes slashing across the arms/elbows is pretty unavoidable, don't you think?
Sometimes you hit them but it should be less and less as you go on. I'm not entirely clear on what you said but if you meant you swing for doh and hope he raises, then that's exactly the sort of action without reason I was talking about. If you mean you're stepping in so that he will raise and then cutting doh, that's better but maybe you should take a pause between the step and the cut to see what/if he defends.

Most of the time when I hit elbows these days the target was open but the aite dropped his elbows to cover at the last second. That falls into the "your own damn fault" category in my books.

[Paikea]

I agree, but the problem is that people assume they are capable of delivering an accurate do at full speed in keiko until they bash you. At the time I write this my right elbow is swollen and purple and sore. Twice in the last three months I have been hit so hard by poorly aimed do strikes that I had to quit practice immediately and ice a hematoma on my elbow the size of half a golf ball.Golf ball? That thing at the seminar looked like it was about to wake up and talk...:)

[JByrd]

I agree with "there is no sorry in kendo" bit.

I'm not sure I agree. When somebody plasters me with a bad strike and says nothing, I am left to wonder if they even know their strike missed the target, or whether they care. I'm not talking about every miss, just the ones that come in hard, and hit a tender area.

When I inadvertently strike a wayward blow without taking the heat off it at the last moment I will usually acknowledge my error and make sure my opponent is OK. I've had many other kenshi from the US and Japan extend the same courtesy to me and I don't think there is anything wrong with it, as long as both sides maintain composure and don't overdo it.

Of course 10 bad hits accompanied by 10 apologies is no good. Our consideration for our opponents should be primarily evident in the quality of our swordplay.

[JSchmidt]

Actually, I do also apologize, if nothing else, a quick nod to acknowledge that I mishit. OTOH, there's one guy who makes a great effort of pointing out everytime a cut doesnt hit perfectly and I rarely acknowledges those.
I still think the point is valid, though: We rei and and ask for training in the beginning and we rei and thanks for the training (mishits or not) afterwards. As such, everything that *needs* to be said in terms of missing, has been said.

Jakob

[JByrd]

Most of the time when I hit elbows these days the target was open but the aite dropped his elbows to cover at the last second. That falls into the "your own damn fault" category in my books.

Good point. I had that nasty habit as a beginner, and the pain was what helped me break it once and for all.

I'm getting more adept at using uchiotoshi to beat down shikake do strikes that are headed for my elbow. People who lack te-no-uchi often end up whacking me across the right thigh when I do that. That's annoying but not debilitating.

I think I'm going to have to break down and get an elbow pad. I dislike wearing pads but I can't afford to let injuries steal my precious practice time.

[Charlie]

Neil, "swing for doh and hope he raises" was pretty much exactly what I meant but not as a blind attack, there is some logic to it. As in, if I'm putting this correctly, you THINK he's going to raise his arms so you do it as he is doing so. More like debana, or, heck, maybe it is debana.

[angryshinai]

I totaly agree that if you are thinking that you will miss and hurt the opponent you will never have the guts to hit something strongly.
But I was more talking about someone doing that fake men do thing 4-5 times in the same shiai/keiko, when it becomes so obvious that you arent even surprise by it. That you are seeing it comming from far far far away and you know it's going to hurt... I hate that!
...
hmm but maybe if i see it comming from so far i should try do- otoshi men.....
Mabie suri ash into tai tari, watch him bounce off you then smash down men.

[Hisham]

Neil, "swing for doh and hope he raises" was pretty much exactly what I meant but not as a blind attack, there is some logic to it. As in, if I'm putting this correctly, you THINK he's going to raise his arms so you do it as he is doing so. More like debana, or, heck, maybe it is debana.

IMHO i think it's all about going honestly for a men cut and that includes threatning the tsuki, then switching at the last moment to get your opponent's Do, in this case it's a pure attack move when done properly there's a good chance you'll get the Do cut.
For it to be a debana move you'd have to anticipate your opponent's strike to your men.
I did like the parry and go for the do "gyaku style", this move is more defensive but has it's own flavour :D

[keithhf]

First of all, I want you to know how much I value your contributions to these discussions. I believe that your comments reflect the thinking and, more importantly, attitude of a mature kendoist. So, thank you.

I believe that the "suicide" aspect of hitting doh comes during that split second when I am hanging in the air (totally exposed) and waiting for my opponent to commit one way or another. I feel very bad if I hit someone's elbow or another part of their arm if the opening was never there to begin with. (I will apologize profusely.) If, on the other hand, my opponent uses his or her elbow to close the opening, then no apology is warranted. I know in my heart when I have created a true opening, and when I am just "chucking lumber" or, as we say, "chopping wood". I (try to) give my opponent the honor of hitting my doh if he or she has created an opening either physically or, more true to the nature of kendo, mentally. While there is always the element of luck, I have noticed that really skilled sensei do not guess when and where I will commit; they have already created the opening and are just waiting for me to do my part.

[keithhf]

Everyone,

If I erred in posting my previous message, then please accept my apologies. My compliments were intended for Neil Gendzwill of the Saskatoon Kendo Club.

[Charlie]

Keith, you did err, because you should have heaped your praises on me! I'm the most valuable member of this forum, me, me, me!

[Hisham]

A self proclaimed MVM where's the egoless part in that :ponder: j/k

[Tiki-kun]

This is a great thread!

I feel the "no sorry in kendo" is true to a degree. I can't stand when someone stops keiko cold to apologize again and again for an out-of-place whack. But I do appreciate (and am often obliged to offer) a quick sorry and acknowledgment of a bad/hard whack. Nothing so big as to stop the flow of keiko - just a little sorry and move on.
Now - as far as bruises from Do strikes gone awry - does anyone out there have children in your class? After a few rounds of keiko with students several feet shorter than me, I inevitably have the “right buttock of fire” from Do strikes that land beneath the do on the side of my tare (or even below the tare!). Ouch.

[TwilightSamurai]

There are a few children who strike everywhere but the Do. Most of them missed because they are too young but there is one who is the "playful" kind who just can't concentrate on what he's doing. But it's all good, we'll help him improve (with his mom's approval). I think Kendo is a great way for children to learn how to concentrate.

[Hai_hai]

I've hit a couple people in the arm with do-uchi. It's bad not only because I've hurt the other person but the opening was never there.
So now, I premeditate the do-uchi well before I'm at maai. Going for kote or men is plan B. Plan C is suriage. This way, I wait for the opening.

[Momotaro]

I was sitting here bored at work reading this and I see my good friend Charlie K on here talking about the virtues of hitting Do. I work at a Japanese company so I am still here at 10pm. What a surprise to see Charlie K here. I had to sign up just to say "hi."

How've you been? Long time no see.

I've spoken a lot and written a lot about the Do strike. It's a good waza no doubt. I agree with the person who told you to strike and not worry about hitting someone in the arms, elbows or whatever else. You shouldn't. Just like a good baseball pitcher just throws and doesn't try to guide the ball. One thing that I would like to add is that when you go for Do, go. Don't hesitate and get hit.

As you know, I love hitting Kote. Nothing makes me happier than someone who wants to strike Do and turns their wrists inwards prematurely. Do Debana Kote is an underrated waza.

So my thought is that practicing Do is a great thing. Never make it a priority though. Even as someone who loves Kote, I believe that it begins and ends with Men. Let the Do strikes come naturally. Just like trying not to premediatate a Kote-Men attack. I admit, I still do it. It's hard to just go for Kote and then hit Men if the chance is there. Same as Do. Have Men as your main target and if the opportunity for Do is there, take it! Try not to premeditate a Do.

Hope that helps and hope to see you soon.

[piggy]

I really like Do. It is my most effective shiai waza too. The only problem I have is when people try to do sutemi-do and fail miserably. Not just a miss, I mean the times when someone believes that just because he moved his shinai towards my tsuki I will magically lift up my arms to open Do. I then proceed to get whacked on the arm.
One other difficulty for me is hitting Do on shorter people. Although at 1.78 I am no towering giant, Mexico's average height is 1.67 so generally I face shorter opponents.
Still, the sound of a proper Do is one of the best.


i was in a group with kids much younger than i and so they were about 4 and a half feet making do an extremely hard hit. it was like an inverted golf swing because you had to strike so low. all fun though.

do by far is by favourite strike. i'll go for men maybe three times and kote maybe once but i cant resist the call of the do.

[Hisham]

it was like an inverted golf swing because you had to strike so low. all fun though.


Your strike shouldn't be low even if your opponent is smaller, you'll have to make a bigger step to hit do the same way you'd do it against somebody who's got an equal height or taller than you, hope i'm making sense.

[piggy]

you are. our sensei showed me how to do it on smaller kids so i know how to do it correctly but i have a tendancy to exagerate...

its just weird to take that step for me...

[Hisham]

I know but in the long run, the benefits are worth it.

[piggy]

i'll be sure to be in the little group again so i can work on it!

[LNGUYEN]

There is a person in my dojo always doing men taiatari do, no matter there is no opening there. He got my arm good several times to the point I was so angry I did one to him. He stoped doing that to me no more. I admit I didn't do Do right, most of the time, I feel my shinai landing perpendicular to the do and I know it is wrong. One time I try to get do with my shinai feeling diagonal to the Do and now I know how does it feel to hit the Do right.

[Hisham]

There is a person in my dojo always doing men taiatari do, no matter there is no opening there. He got my arm good several times to the point I was so angry I did one to him. He stoped doing that to me no more. I admit I didn't do Do right, most of the time, I feel my shinai landing perpendicular to the do and I know it is wrong. One time I try to get do with my shinai feeling diagonal to the Do and now I know how does it feel to hit the Do right.

Men taiatari do mmm :ponder:, i guess that some people don't know what it takes to hit a target and just stupidly do combos as if they were playing some fighting video game.

[JByrd]

Nothing makes me happier than someone who wants to strike Do and turns their wrists inwards prematurely. Do Debana Kote is an underrated waza.


Oh, yes! I also like that one.



There is a person in my dojo always doing men taiatari do, no matter there is no opening there.


I know what you mean, and it happens often enough that many people are on guard against that technique. I sometimes use their paranoia to my advantage: Right after taiatari, while my shinai is almost vertical, I feint to the left with my tip as if I'm going for hiki-do. Many people overreact to protect their elbow, and attempt uchiotoshi. That opens their men. So my technique is "men-tai atari-feint hiki do-hiki men." :)

[emitbrownne]

Men taiatari do mmm :ponder:, i guess that some people don't know what it takes to hit a target and just stupidly do combos as if they were playing some fighting video game.

Thats right... The music I hear in my head is brilliant as I fence. Its more retro late 80's arcade than modern.
My favoutite combo can be achieved by pressing K, M, TT, M..

Power moves rule

[Lloromannic]

Thats right... The music I hear in my head is brilliant as I fence. Its more retro late 80's arcade than modern.
My favoutite combo can be achieved by pressing K, M, TT, M..

Power moves rule

What's that, Kote Men Tare Tare Men?

[Andoru]

It's Taiatari Tare! *ouch*

[Hisham]

Still about Doh,
One of the last things i practiced at the UM dojo was to slide my left hand towards my right while bringing down the shinai towards Do, does this way have a specific name?

[Fonsz]

What's that, Kote Men Tare Tare Men?
It's Kote Men Taiatari Tamagouchi Men. Just try it a whole new sensation!!!

[Kmav]

I like doh hits too. There are two types of doh hits that I currently know of, block men and doh and just straightforward doh. I recently got in the habit of block men and doh, which I found out is bad. This lead me to block often, which can be a bad thing. If you can pull off a nice clean straightforward doh hit, that can be the nicest looking it.

[Charlie]

I was sitting here bored at work reading this and I see my good friend Charlie K on here talking about the virtues of hitting Do. I work at a Japanese company so I am still here at 10pm. What a surprise to see Charlie K here. I had to sign up just to say "hi."

How've you been? Long time no see.

I've spoken a lot and written a lot about the Do strike. It's a good waza no doubt. I agree with the person who told you to strike and not worry about hitting someone in the arms, elbows or whatever else. You shouldn't. Just like a good baseball pitcher just throws and doesn't try to guide the ball. One thing that I would like to add is that when you go for Do, go. Don't hesitate and get hit.

As you know, I love hitting Kote. Nothing makes me happier than someone who wants to strike Do and turns their wrists inwards prematurely. Do Debana Kote is an underrated waza.

So my thought is that practicing Do is a great thing. Never make it a priority though. Even as someone who loves Kote, I believe that it begins and ends with Men. Let the Do strikes come naturally. Just like trying not to premediatate a Kote-Men attack. I admit, I still do it. It's hard to just go for Kote and then hit Men if the chance is there. Same as Do. Have Men as your main target and if the opportunity for Do is there, take it! Try not to premeditate a Do.

Hope that helps and hope to see you soon.

Here I am responding, what, almost two months later! Hello, sensei! At first, I did not know which Battle Creeker you were, though I suspected, but "as you know, I love to hit kote" clinched it for me! Thanks for jumping in! I hope you see this. I do most of my KW forum activity during coffee breaks at work and I have been very busy, so haven't been around the boards much. Although I hope to remedy that!

[Mr. Donigan]

"Suicide doh." This is a great way of putting it.

Question: this mentor in particular - "There's no 'sorry' in kendo." Thoughts?

I've heard this too. I was told not to say "sorry" unless I did it on purpose. ie if someone hits the wrong spot we can assume it was not on purpose and that they are sorry. Doh is a particularly hard one to get good at too, new students are going to miss, and if we get mad, or (I've seen this once) hit them on the men after they miss, out of frustration, we're going to make them more worried about it. Then they'll allways tense up and do it poorly. There is a shorter guy in my school that I tend to give arm pit kendo raspberries to. I just can't seem to adjust to his height the first few doh I send his way. You're right though... doing a great doh feels great.