Kote-Men speed...

[Fonsz]

Not moving the left foot depends on the distance. If you can reach the men, then you don't need to move it.

To move the feet quicker, you need to keep yourself balanced over your feet. If your natural stance isn't balanced, then you can't move quickly. For most people, just *thinking* about moving the feet quicker helps,because they usually only think about their hands.
So, forget about the kote and the men and focus on getting the "pa-pam!" action with the right foot. Once you get that, focus on the distance and then finally on actually hitting the targets.

Jakob

I would like to add that if you put your right foot in the same line as your opponents right foot all you have to do is swing your shinai down (Oki kote), or strike with left hand through the middle (Zashi Kote) and you always hit a clean kote. You don't even have to lower your head you can keep looking at the men of the opponent. When you hit men you can put your right foot in the line between the two feet of the opponent. This way you don't have to think about aiming so you can concentrate on the form and the proper te no uchi.
Also if a Men is one step then kote is half a step, and the men will be the next half step. Beginners usually make the kote step as big as a men step and then adjust the distance with their hands.

[JSchmidt]

Beginners usually make the kote step as big as a men step and then adjust the distance with their hands.

I strongly disagree with that. They will end up being too close for the kote and *far* too close for the men.

Jakob

[mark]

I would like to add that if you put your right foot in the same line as your opponents right foot all you have to do is swing your shinai down (Oki kote), or strike with left hand through the middle (Zashi Kote) and you always hit a clean kote. You don't even have to lower your head you can keep looking at the men of the opponent. When you hit men you can put your right foot in the line between the two feet of the opponent. This way you don't have to think about aiming so you can concentrate on the form and the proper te no uchi.
Also if a Men is one step then kote is half a step, and the men will be the next half step. Beginners usually make the kote step as big as a men step and then adjust the distance with their hands.

Fonsz, this is the first time I've heard of aiming the feet I would like to discuss this more. I will start a new thread on the topic.
Thanks
Mark

[tantadi]

I would like to add that if you put your right foot in the same line as your opponents right foot all you have to do is swing your shinai down (Oki kote), or strike with left hand through the middle (Zashi Kote) and you always hit a clean kote. You don't even have to lower your head you can keep looking at the men of the opponent. When you hit men you can put your right foot in the line between the two feet of the opponent. This way you don't have to think about aiming so you can concentrate on the form and the proper te no uchi.
Also if a Men is one step then kote is half a step, and the men will be the next half step. Beginners usually make the kote step as big as a men step and then adjust the distance with their hands.

You mean right foot at his left foot?

A straight and centered kote attack will brush his/her shinai away and open for men. Your description sounds like more sideways movement and that can be countered. (That is what I find really difficult with kote-men, if it is not strong and centered it is countered..)

[Kmav]

Dont worry about your speed right now. Worry about the form of your kote-men. Speed comes with practice and proper form.

[Charlie]

Well, when practicing kote-men you should go after each with equal vigor. I would disagree that the kote is a feint or even near a feint - if you've really got your kote-men down you sometimes go for it, get the kote, and then don't take the men because you got the kote. Yes, kote is a set up but I think you should go for both, even though the feeling is that the men is ippon.

Be sure when you're practicing the kote-men that your partner is backing up to allow you more room for the men. That's just the stationary practice. In jigeiko, the maai will get all screwed up, of course, and you'll just have to learn to adjust.

Welcome, TNilges, hope to see more of you.

[T.Nilges]

Well, when practicing kote-men you should go after each with equal vigor. I would disagree that the kote is a feint or even near a feint - if you've really got your kote-men down you sometimes go for it, get the kote, and then don't take the men because you got the kote. Yes, kote is a set up but I think you should go for both, even though the feeling is that the men is ippon.

Be sure when you're practicing the kote-men that your partner is backing up to allow you more room for the men. That's just the stationary practice. In jigeiko, the maai will get all screwed up, of course, and you'll just have to learn to adjust.

Charlie's first remark is very well said and I agree entirely. I would also like to add to his second statement. In the begining when you cannot strike fast without breaking form your partner should move to accomodate you as stated. Additionally as you gain speed (while maintaining technique) your partners should move less and less untill they stand still. If you are not training with the same people consistantly this can be difficult. But remember if someone is being too forgiving (or too harsh) you should not hesistate to ask for more or less challenge (respectively).

[Kapplow]

Thanks for all the help guys. I have a lot of work to do now.

[JByrd]

Well, when practicing kote-men you should go after each with equal vigor.

That's what I was always taught. The best way to get a chance at men is to deliver a very strong kote that forces the opponent to react.

A couple of other things: Extending the arms to get maximum reach for the kote strike leaves more room to strike men.

Also, not every opponent reacts with the same timing. Sometimes a fast kote men works, sometimes you must have a small interval between the strikes to allow the opponent time to react and open the men. There is no one-size-fits-all timing for kote men, and "as fast as you can" is not necessarily a winning timing. That's one of the reasons you take time to size up an unfamiliar opponent before attacking him, to probe him and learn his reaction time.

[Charlie]

Kote-doh I've never really tried much. I think the method is you go to kote and keep pressing toward tsuki like you're going to go for men, but instead take doh. The scenario describes a situation where you go for kote, opponent pulls his hands back, you rise up toward men, opponent pulls hands up to cover men, take doh as it's exposed. Just my two ryo.

[Neil Gendzwill]

The kote is not a feint, but the main target is still men.

Another good reason to use kote men is if your opponent likes degote. Going for the straight men leaves you vulnerable, kote men is a way to get in without exposing your own kote. Even if he attacks kote, hopefully it's aigote and you can continue on for your men.

[mark]

The kote is not a feint, but the main target is still men.
.

Hi Neil,
If you "score kote" would you still go for men?

[Neil Gendzwill]

If you "score kote" would you still go for men?

I would stop with kote, but it depends on your skill level. I think more inexperienced people should commit to the whole nidan waza, because if they are thinking too much about whether the kote is in, then they are going to hesitate before the men. With more experience, you can be more relaxed about it and just recognise when the kote succeeds.

According to Traditionalist Kendo this is incorrect. All strikes should be done with proper form.

What makes you think that "proper form" always means fumikomi-ashi?

[T.Nilges]

I would stop with kote, but it depends on your skill level. I think more inexperienced people should commit to the whole nidan waza, because if they are thinking too much about whether the kote is in, then they are going to hesitate before the men. With more experience, you can be more relaxed about it and just recognise when the kote succeeds.
What makes you think that "proper form" always means fumikomi-ashi?

I'm sorry if I was unclear. I am saying that a "Traditionalist view" like that of my past sensei would very much abhor the lack of fumikomi on the kote. I personally use two fumikomi, but I do not think that this is the only way. I was simply presenting one opinion that I have encountered frequently.

[Ignatz]

We practice Ai Kote Men a lot. Every thing people have been talking about is amplified when the other guy is coming at you full speed.
This is where I really learned (and am still learning) that I have to make the other guy attack first so that I can be faster than him. If I wait for his attack I lose the kote and the kote men doesn't matter.

In addition, with the other guy coming at you the maii is way different therefore your steps have to be way smaller.

I get a really good one every couple weeks or so.