Easy one - Hard One

[Karaken]

I have a problem executing some waza ( really? ) but some other ones come naturally and make more sense. I have many examples but let's start with a few. Please correct if my point is wrong or feel free to share your thoughts on other waza..

1. Kote-nuki-men : My favorite. If timing is right, it's easy to execute and Men is wide open.
2. Men-nuki-men : Even if timed right, still shinai is in my way for the men - how can I avoid this?
3. Debana kote : My second favorite after #1.
4. Debana Men : Same as #2 : usually opponent's shinai is still in my way.

I can go-on-and on but let's start with these first.

Must take center - Don't let it go..

[Ares2907]

For these types of waza, I really feel that if you're trying to execute the technique as you see your opponent begin to strike, it's already too late.
You have to invite the attack, lull your opponent into seeing an opportunity that is not really there, or pressure them into an attack they're not ready for. I'm not talking about pre-meditation per se, more about being in control of your opponent through seme or deception.
That being said, you have to fully expect the attack to be coming, rather than reacting as you see the attack begin.
As far as men nuki men, it depends on where you step - left/right/backward. It also depends on what sort of zanshin you're attempting - are you trying to attack forward? backward? on the spot? There are a large number of ways to do the techniques you are talking about.
As far as debana men, it's a tough technique to pull off consistently. If you don't have a strong centre, forget about it (ie, concentrate on having a solid centre first) - ai men / debana men is not a bad practise exercise to test the strength of your centre however.

That should be enough to go on with.

[kendomushi]

I agree with Ares. In these techniques, yakusokugeiko is easy as you each know in advance what is going to be done. But in actualy use, shiai or shiaigeiko, you have to have a strong center and develop your seme to put pressure on the opponent. Then the instant they begin to move you make your attack. If you see that he is going for men or going for kote clearly it is usually too late already.

[qpuppy]

nicely said Ares.... something which i have much to learn off you and my sensei and other sempais

cheers

[Steve]

Try using hiraki-ashi during men-nuki-men. This will change the control of centre to you, and the men of your opponemt will be wide open.

[Karaken]

Good points.. I have one more re: Uchiotoshi waza..
Given today's lightening fast shinai movement, do you think it's still being used during shiai? I don't think I remeber seeing one except during practice.. Thoughts?

Center - take it and keep it.

[Ares2907]

What is different about today's lightning fast movements and yesteryear's lightning fast movement?
I use it. It doesn't always work, but it's as valid as any other technique and well worth putting in the effort to perfect. Think of it (in simple terms) as a kote men that comes across the shinai. There's a little more to it than that, but it gets you out of the 'bludgeoning the shinai out of the way' mindset.

[Paburo]

i've seen it.
some ppl in shiai lower shinai a bit to the right to cover kote and lure you to do men. then instead of men the opponent does a fast uchi otoshi men waza.

it works, i've tried it :D

[KhawMengLee]

Katsugi kote. I find if you thrust your head and body forward whilst bring your shinai up slightly, a lot of ppl think a men cut is coming so they raise the shinai to protect the men. Then I quickly pull the shinai to my left shoulder and do a katsugi kote.

I see my senseis do this but they go for men.

[Karaken]

Ares, don't you think modern kendo has smaller and faster movement on average than old past?

Center only... please..

[Karaken]

Paburo, sounds like Harai-Otoshi-Men.. The difficulty with Uchi-Otoshi waza I'm having is matching the speed of opponent's shinai..

Still open center - close it..

[Ares2907]

Not really. It depends on how far back you're talking about. You can go back as far as the super-early footage where it's difficult to get a feeling of actual speed of technique execution, but overall I don't think it's changed nearly enough to be talking about obselescence of otoshi waza

[Charlie]

I think maai has al ot to do with these, as well, don't you? If you're not finding the maai at which these techniques are comfortable, you'll keep running into the same troubles.

I'm not terribly good at these waza, either, BTW!

[Karaken]

I think this is very good stuff.

One more on Uchiotoshi waza. As I mentioned before I'm having hard time perfectly matching oncoming shinai's speed. Is there such a shinai angle that I don't really have to time it perfectly
or this waza requires perfect timing?

Center - uchiotoshi - center

[KATSUJIN]

Karaken, u need the angle and timing for now....after awhile....u only need the timing becos everything will be straight

[Karaken]

OK, before I let this thread die, let me popo one more.
re: Left leg. I was wondering about how straight my left leg should be. If they're almost deadlocked then it might be quicker to attack, if it's a bit bent, it's most versatile for offense and defense. What do we all do? Do we change depends on what we're about to do?

Center - to - attack

[KATSUJIN]

not necessarily....u could try keeping ur left knee just abit away from being completely straight.......