In Defense of Jodan

[b8amack]

I've got nothing to do (but work), so of course I'm making another rubbish poll-thread.

When someone takes jodan against you, what is your preferred method of defense/attack, and why?

[b8amack]

Besides jodan, I chose kaeshi men, because it's something I notice myself getting caught with more than I'd like.

[skilled]

I am a jodanka so it's like " let's see who has done more katate suburi" XD

[Orophil]

Smack do hard! just a few times so he becomes carefull, also hit his kote in the process.

the thing to be carefull with is the maai. if you know how to keep your distance it does not matter if your opponent uses chudan, jodan or nito

just my 2 cents.
grtz Mathijs

[Fuyudo]

stab him in the throat, even if you dont score you piss him off which feels better than winning.

edit: and in most cases they will start to go back when you move in from relentless tsuki attempts, if they go back youve practically won...

[R Stroud]

Although this poll is a fun way to kill time on the computer, it is disconnected from how I would actually respond to jodan (or any other type of kamae'd aite). It is an oversimplification of what happens to about a single response that can be used against an aite in jodan. For me in I would try to find/see a good place for an attack that will open up another area. So if a box existed on the choices in this poll stating, "facing an aite, including one in jodan, I look for an opening and apply pressure to it, with the goal of getting ahead of aite's timing and creating a chance to hit there or at an opening this pressure creates", then I would check that response.

That and a loaded Starbucks card will get you a cup of coffee...

[b8amack]

That's why I included an "other" option. It's impossible to cover every option, and yeah, just a way to kill time. Looking back, I should have added a "What's Jodan?" option.

[shred_lord]

I try to get inside their Maai and inside their timing. If that doesn't work Katate Kote is always good as a surprise attack.

[Mr Softee]

In shiai I avoid throwing tsuki versus jodan, I feel it is a all or nothing strike and it leaves me way too open.
I actually play really defensive and try to figure out the jodan players timing and really try to smash through them after a hit.
Like a total body check.
Rinse and repeat until they are afraid of the big body check after a strike and then pop a kote.

[Neil Gendzwill]

I agree with Ron. However there's a couple of things I do against jodan that are a bit different. For example, I will use either seigan (think kata #5) rather than a straight chudan. Alternately I will use kasumi. Maybe I'll move between those two kamae. Plus I find I'm a lot more active, it's harder for someone in jodan to move as well.

[hl1978]

I assume kasumi, pressure the left kote, and circle to my right being aware that a shinai held by a left hand only on contact has more reach than a shinai of the same length held with 2 hands. I'm also aware that they will have a harder time following up with a second attack than I will.

[FastKendo]

I'll get closer so it's easier to hit my opponent's kote. But while doing so, I also aware that he may attack. Perhaps I'm a bit unexperienced, but jodan's attack is usually men or kote. If it's men, I'll use men gaeshi do or men gaeshi men. Even his target is kote, my kote is already up and I'll hit his men. But because I already moving closer and open my guard a little, my opponent will likely hit my men.

The other option is stepping back whatever his attack is, then hit his men while he's off guard.

[JuJitsuGiraffe]

... it's harder for someone in jodan to move as well.

Why is that?

[Neil Gendzwill]

Why is that?

I'm going just on my experience playing a bit of jodan, plus that of a handful of people I've played. Maybe someone more experienced with the kamae like Jakob will disagree but... Having your hands over your head and having to constantly target that way just makes the jodan guy a little less mobile. I'm sure the specialists move very well indeed. But on the whole, when you move well against them there seems to be this feeling of "just hold still, dammit, so I can swat you".

[JSchmidt]

I'll use men gaeshi do or men gaeshi men.

Please explain to me where the jodan fighters right hand go after cutting men...and then explain how you do men-kaeshi-do.