Men form

**Kaoru** · 11th March 2010, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by Neil Gendzwill

Left, not right. Right hand at heart (sternum) level would be too low.

Thank you. I guess I just couldn't remember which it was. Grrrr.... yeah, of course... Duh, it would be too low. (Having extended my arms the way you just said just now, as if I am cutting men. I don't cut like that, with my R. H. that low normally. Putting the R.H. that low feels wrong.) I need to actually remember the technicalities better though. What's the point in doing men if I can't remember a detail like that?? That's just stupid... Ok, I'm gonna lay off the waza stuff until I feel better. I can't think!

Kaoru

**batusai.** · 11th March 2010, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Neil Gendzwill

Actually for most people, right arm parallel to the ground (right hand exactly shoulder height) results in a cut that is a little too high, if they are facing someone of their own height. Right hand a little below the shoulder, left hand about sternum height is the rule of thumb we use. Of course you have to adjust depending on the height of your opponent.

Thanks for this tip. At least I'm doing it correctly.

**batusai.** · 11th March 2010, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Kaoru

If your right hand was exactly parallel to the ground, you would be striking too low, so you are right about it not being exactly parallel. The arms-both arms, will be at slightly different angles to the ground. The right will be less parallel and more of a slight angle because it's the hand on top when you are hitting men, which is at head level or higher, depending on the height of the person you are hitting. If it is yourself in doing suburi, you ought to be cutting at your own head height. The left arm will be more parallel to the ground than the right, because it is the bottom hand. But then, it is always MUCH better to actually see this in action in the dojo!

Talking about it here is rather difficult... We can't see each other for it all to completely make good sense. And, as someone already said, we each have different opinions on this, so we could get into a nice tangle over this. There are too many little details involved in learning to strike men correctly.

Kaoru

Yes, I agree with you. It is much better to actually see it in the dojo. Thanks for the valuable advice.