Footwork

[Twobitmage]

A teacher from japan came to visit, and as a result, alot of teachers from the local dojo came to visit and observe.

Anyway one of the visiting teachers told me that I had a bad habit of showing the bottom of my feet when doing footwork when I go foward (forgive me I dont know the correct words) doing the "stomping" type footwork.

I just tried to practice not doing the aforementioned problem and tried making it so my foot barely grazed the ground when I moved foward, to keep my toes from pointing up. I also noticed that this helped keep my height a bit more level

Another thing I tried was letting my foot go limp so it wouldnt get stiff and point up (this was harder, I was too used to getting all tense)

Either way (especially with the first method), although I seemed to stop the problem of my toes sticking upwards, My hands didnt really go with my feet (ki ken tai) like they used to; the movement is alot smaller. Is it because i'm simply not used to this way?

I need some advice please. and maybe a good description on how it should properly be done, as i'm sure I've probably got something horrible wrong right there

[taganahan]

my sensei usually calls those, the "horse kick" because they expose their bottom part when they kick. i solve this kind of problem when one of my senseis told me that when i'm going to do this, i should have a tendency to shift my weight to the front or lean forward when doing this. i also found it easier not to expose my bottom part of my foot by leaping and landing on my right foot instead of just stomping. hope this helped.

~taganahan

[Neil Gendzwill]

Couple of thoughts to help you with this:

- relax the right ankle
- don't think of stomping with the right foot, think of pushing with the left
- don't think of rising up, instead think of reaching out
- don't let your right foot get more than a couple of inches off the floor
- be sure to land on your whole foot at once

As far as the timing is concerned, anytime you change something your focus shifts to that change. As you get used to the new footwork, your timing will come back.

[Hai_hai]

...Anyway one of the visiting teachers told me that I had a bad habit of showing the bottom of my feet when doing footwork when I go foward (forgive me I dont know the correct words) doing the "stomping" type footwork.

I had the same problem. Timing was thrown off when trying adjust so my right foot didn't point up. I was trying to cover a lot of ground so my right leg was raised higher and my foot was pointing up as a result. As I tried not to raise my leg as high, my foot was less prone to pointing up and the distance I covered was shorter.
At least you are aware and have something to work on during practices.

[indigo0086]

my Sensei, Frank Nieves, who has trained in japan told us that culturally, showing the bottoms of your feet was considered rude, I'm guessing in courts, and when in the company of higher officials.

[Neil Gendzwill]

That may be so, but it's got nothing to do with why you shouldn't use goose-step footwork in kendo. It's simply inefficient as you're going up instead of forward. It's also dangerous as you run a much higher risk of landing on your heel, and your foot is coming down from higher up. Finally it's telegraphing your intentions, as your body and foot come up rather than moving smoothly forward.

[indigo0086]

Tru, but I just like sharing my new found knowledges. But my sensei enforces the "push with left leg" so I naurally loosen up my right. The only problem i have is my tugboat Bobbing while moving because of my freakishly long legs.

[kendokamax]

my Sensei, Frank Nieves, who has trained in japan told us that culturally, showing the bottoms of your feet was considered rude, I'm guessing in courts, and when in the company of higher officials.

hahahahahahaa that guy faked training in japan. dont listen to him you will just boost his ego.

[indigo0086]

hahahahahahaa that guy faked training in japan. dont listen to him you will just boost his ego.

If you make those kind of accusations, at least back them up with proof.

[kendokamax]

If you make those kind of accusations, at least back them up with proof.

sure,

He was in Budo University with me last year. During the whole year he came to club practice maybe less than 10 times!. (practices where 6 times a week). When he whould come (only at the begining of the year) he would do 1 or 2 jigeiko then take off his men and f*ck around and make fun of us (the other foreigners) who were trying hard and asking to the japanese students for the more keiko possible.

His kendo was ok, nothing spectacular but good. But he was always boasting about himself and his kendo all the time , without even participate to one regular practice..


anyway Im sorry for everyone on the forum about this rant. I could go long on this, that guy was really a loser. Dont listen too much to the crap getting out of his mouth.

[Dave Fowler]

Tru, but I just like sharing my new found knowledges. But my sensei enforces the "push with left leg" so I naurally loosen up my right. The only problem i have is my tugboat Bobbing while moving because of my freakishly long legs.

Kept your left leg mostly straight. That should help prevent bobbing.

[indigo0086]

Well, despite what he has done in the past I judge a person by their actions at the current time. He has shown me that he is a dedicated kendo practitioner and he definitely does not show any arrogance in the dojo. I am not going to stop listening to him mainly because do to recent events in the dojo, he is the one we all look to for guidance. Again, I am judging how he acts in the dojo by what he is doing now, not what he may have done that I had not witnessed.

[kendokamax]

hmm well you are having the right attitude..

[indigo0086]

always.




.

[truth101]

Ken-doka, you are a fool for what you say. You will run into this individual again and then will your Kendo speak or your foul mouth?
I to know Frank Nieves, the most accomplished Kendo division one year visiting student ever to Budo University. Not only speaks Japanese and had the best Kendo of all visiting students, but picked up his Judo Shodan and Aikido Shodan along with his Nidan in Kendo Federation Iaido. All while in Japan.
Bad for you that he didn't notice you.
Currently he is 2004 US National Iaido Champion, Nidan division. And were're talking about Kendo Federation Iaido. Also placed third at the last US Kendo Open.
Holds 7 Shodan or higher ranks, all in traditional authentic Japanese Martial arts.
I could go on for a long time because his accomplishments are numerous. But this should hold you for a while.
What are you if you don't mind saying and have you placed in anything?
Sorry he didn't pick you as a friend,
Truth101

sure,

He was in Budo University with me last year. During the whole year he came to club practice maybe less than 10 times!. (practices where 6 times a week). When he whould come (only at the begining of the year) he would do 1 or 2 jigeiko then take off his men and f*ck around and make fun of us (the other foreigners) who were trying hard and asking to the japanese students for the more keiko possible.

His kendo was ok, nothing spectacular but good. But he was always boasting about himself and his kendo all the time , without even participate to one regular practice..


anyway Im sorry for everyone on the forum about this rant. I could go long on this, that guy was really a loser. Dont listen too much to the crap getting out of his mouth.