A Really Good Lesson from Yamaguchi Sensei - Part II

On Wed., I tried to keep practice that Sen-sen-no-sen concept.  I did a Geiko with another member of our dojo (I forgot his name), but this time, it was really difficult to catch his timing.

Usually, I can see the opponent moving back and forth, and I attack right when he moves forward (that is the Sen-sen-no-sen concept that I know).  But, he had either very small steps (thus I could not perceive his movement) or had movement timing that is very difficult to catch.  Either way, I tried to attack few times but all my attacks were blocked (which means he could see my attack and was able to block).

After that, I did a Geiko with Yamaguchi Sensei.  (As people who did Geiko with him would know) After a few minutes, I was already exhausted and could not even breathe well.  But, I tried to keep it up thinking that this is one of those very precious moment when I can practice with Yamaguchi Sensei (especially now that he is not well after the operation).

After the practice, I went to Yamaguchi Sensei and asked him how was my Kendo today.  I told him that I looked up the concept of the three Sen (Mitsu-no-sen): Sen-sen-no-sen, Sen, and Go-no-sen.  (He said that the middle one is actually called Sen-zen-no-sen)

I told him that it worked fine in some instances but it didn't work well today b/c I couldn't get the timing right.  He told me to keep practice it and I'll get used to it.  He told me to just focus on Sen-sen-no-sen now.  He said that If I do not have Sen-sen-no-sen, I cannot other things.

He also said that in doing Geiko with me today, I was pretty good except that I attacked little too early or little too late.  

So, I must keep working on Sen-sen-no-sen. 

Result of the Lesson from Yamaguchi Sensei

On Monday, indeed, Yuji Sensei DID have Uchikoi and Kakari-Geiko.

I was all up for it.

But, since our dojo's ventilation is really bad, it felt like practicing Kendo in a sauna room.

I got so exhausted so easily...

During the Geikos, I tried to remember what Yamaguchi Sensei told me yesterday, and especially tried to work on my Sen-sen-no-sen timing.

After few Geikos, I went up to Yuji Sensei for comments and feedbacks.

He pointed out that my Kamae and attack are not straight when I'm tired.

Other than that, he said, "Not bad..."

That was such a big complement for me.

A Really Good Lesson from Yamaguchi Sensei

Last Sunday at Nisei Week Tournament, Yamaguchi Sensei gave us (the Costa Mesa Dojo Team) some good advices.  Basically, we need more Kakari-Geiko.  (Probably to develop the sense of timing, preciseness and aggressiveness)  Also, he mentioned that doing a proper Kendo (with proper basics) is much more important than getting points in tournaments.

*He told us to watch Spencer Sensei's Kendo.

After that, I personally went to Yamaguchi Sensei and asked him how I could improve my Kendo.

He gave me some important points:

1.  Kamae

He asked me why do you hold your Kamae the way we do?  Is it because everyone tells you so? He said that we hold Kamae because to protect ourselves.  (Thus, if we hold the Kamae correctly, we should be able to protect ourselves).

2.  The Concept of Seme

He said that I should be able to use Seme.  He asked me what Seme was, so I answered that it's the attacking feeling.  He said that I should attack BEFORE the opponent attacks me.  He said that I should ALWAYS "Attack First" so that the opponent cannot attack me.  (in other words, Offense is the best Defense) So I asked, "Always attack first?"  Then he said that there are different chances to attack.

  2a.  Sen-sen-no-sen

      He said that when the opponent slightly moves forward, you can attack (even BEFORE the opponent does anything but when he just steps forward a little).  In fact, this is one of the very first lesson I've learned from Yamaguchi Sensei long long time ago.  In Kamae, when the opponent steps forward a little bit, I attack with all my body.  I found it to be working really well, and people thought I was really fast.  But in reality, it was just that I found that good chance to attack (right at the moment they're stepping forward and they're immovable for that split second).

      When I explained this to him, he said that this is the first level.  I told him that I used this many times during Geiko, but I started to face opponents who do not move at all.  When we begin our Geiko, some opponents just stood there with very strong Kamae and never moved.  So, I gradually began to forget that Sen-sen-no-sen practices.

  2b.   Examining the Opponent with Shinai

      He said that after the first level (I think I should built upon each level and NOT take one and discard the other level), then I should examine the opponent's mind by tapping the opponent's Shinai with mine.  But, I do not believe that he meant by mindlessly tapping the opponent's Shinai but slowly touching (or pressing or going around) his Shinai to examine and see the opening.  Then, attack upon seeing the opening.  Or, I should start to create opening.

  2c.   Feeling the Attack

      He said that I should start feeling (foretelling) what the opponent will do.  Yuji Sensei mentioned this too long time ago (when I asked him when should I attack).  Yamaguchi Sensei said that I can only gain this by many practices and experiences.

3.  Practice

He said that in Shiyai, it is natural to have that feeling of wanting to win.  However, he said that I should suppress it, or else, I cannot perform the true Kendo (I start lose focus, form, timing, etc.).  He said that I can thwart this strong urge to win and keep myself by many experiences of Shiyai.

Also, my body should naturally obtain all the above concepts by many practices.  He said that some people over-analyze things (like myself).  It's all too difficult to explain in words but I should know it by practices.  Also, no matter how much I know in knowledge, if I cannot do it, it's useless.  He told me to not to think too much.  (He also said that since I have good basics, I should work on the above concepts during practices -- yea!).

4.  Watch

(In relation to the above Seme concept) He said to watch his Kendo.  Watch Spencer Sensei and Yuji Sensei's Kendo.  Watch how they do it and when they do it.  He said that when he does Geiko with people, he sees if people can figure out the chances to attack or not.  He said that I'm sometimes little slow.

After I talked to Yamaguchi Sensei, I was so motivated to practice Kendo harder.

Real Name

From now on, I've decided to use real name for everyone I mention.

Playing against Jodan

On Wed practice,

UG taught me how to play against Jodan.

He said that I should go for Tsuki in the beginning to create that fear and confusion to the opponent.  Then, give the Tsuki seme then right when the opponent lowers his hands to block THEN go for Men.

He said, "make your opponent to guess what you're gonna do."

Good point.

How to do Kiri-kaeshi

On Monday practice,

SHRKU sensei said that in doing Kiri-kaeshi, I should use by "shoulders" to swing, not just arms.

If I use my arms, it'll only make me more tired and nothing would help.

I should use both my shoulders and make big motions, so that it helps me to use my full body.

Lesson from Nikkei Games

I played against Ryan H., and I lost in the first round.

But, I felt good because I got the first Kote point and that Ryan was a good opponent.

(His technique and Kendo was admirable)

Lesson I learned is that I should work on my stamina because, by the middle of the 3 minute session, I lost focus and I lost right at that moment.

(I got the first Kote point, then he got my Kote point.  We both were so tired...then I thought, 'shoot....we're gonna go into extension'...  right then, he came in with Seme then got my Do when I  raised my hands to block it)

Lesson from Torrance Dojo

I went to Torrance Dojo last week and learned some valuable lessons:

1.  Chris Y. Sensei said that, in playing against opponent, don't just try to go in and hit whatever I wanna hit.  Constantly look for the openings.  In Kamae, if I constantly think that 'I wanna go for Men...' or 'I'm gonna go for Kote now...' then I try it and miss it, there's no point in attack.

He said that constantly look for openings then attack.  There are openings when the opponent is about to attack OR right after he attacks.

2.  While doing Keiko against Chris Y. Sensei, I tried to go for his Kote from under (meaning my Shinai went below his hands and attack Kote).  I also did that to attack Men.  He said that I should first watch my opponent and determine whether such attack is appropriate or not.

He said that there are 2 types of players (in Kendo, one's called "Inside" and the other is called "Outside" --- meaning "Inside" is the ones that have lower Kamae so the 'going under' attack would not work where as the "Outside" is the ones that have higher Kamae, so 'going under' attack would work).  I should observe that first, then attack accordingly.

3.  While playing against Louis, he had extremely fast Men when we were closing in for 1 step attack distance.  He told me that I raise my Shinai too early and too big so that he could see me coming in and easily block me.  Louis' Men would come in straight and give that snap at the end.  This is probably what SPC told me as well.  I should work on this.

Suri-ashi Lesson

SPC said not to cross my feet during Suri-ashi because, when I cross my left foot with the right foot, that how much longer for me to attack.

So, in Suri-ashi, left foot should "follow" the right foot from right behind.

Importance of Stretching and Nutrition

Last Monday, I had a cramp on my right leg during the practice, so I fell on the floor and everyone was all concerned about me. (so embarrassing....!!!)

Lesson learned is that I should always stretch and eat properly and drink enough water.
(Especially now that I'm no longer young)

I realized that, ever since I signed up to try out for the SCKF team try-out with my age, Kendo became no longer just a hobby but a serious commitment for me. I should take it very seriously and do whatever it takes to do it right (including taking care of my body to maintain the optimal condition for the practice).

But, when UG made us to do continuous Kiri-Kaeshi and Men AND SPC made me to do Kiri-Kaeshi while he's standing still, I was very happy because it means that they're taking me serious now. Yea!!!

3 Ways to Counter Kote

SPC also taught me 3 ways to counter Kote:

1. Ai-Kote-Men
When the opponent comes for Kote, I go Kote-Men as soon as I "feel" him coming.

2. Kote-Kaeshi-Men (? I don't know if this is the right name)
When the opponent comes for Kote, I block his Kote by twisting my Shinai in front of me, then attack Men. It is important to do that twist in "front" of my body.
(wow...this is really hard to explain, so I should try to draw it or something...)

3. ..... (don't know the name of this technique. I'll find out)
When the opponent's Kote comes, I parry it by raising my Shinai 45 degree upward to the right.
It's like one of that technique in Kata (I forget which number).

Suburi Basics 2

SPC taught me this many times, but it all starts to make sense to me now:

When doing Suburi, put the emphasis on the strike, meaning that I should squeeze at the point of impact (imagining that I'm hitting Men). Thus, the strike should nicely cut Men (and not just repeatitive swings --- which is pointless practice). Fewer Suburi with the right emphasis on that squeeze is better than many Suburi w/out the correct form (this is useless).

SPC said that that squeeze will help me in striking the valid strike in real keiko. Since, in keiko, we never really swing big, that quick and firm squeeze at the end will give that solid and valid strike.

Suburi Basics

UG told me that when I do Suburi, I should not make it in 2 separate motions but one overall motion.

When I do Suburi, (1) I raise up my Shinai, (2) then swing for Men.
For many people including myself, this one Suburi actually consists of two motions.

But, this one Suburi should consist of one overall, natural, smooth, whole motion. Not two.

Against a Tight Opponent

I was talking to SPC after the practice.
I said that it's hard to go through some opponent b/c they're so tight after their attacks.
(So, I can hardly pass through them)

SPC said that I should try to go through them.

Also, he gave me another tip on playing against those tight opponent.
I lead them to open up by ... (ah, so hard to explain in words) ...
pressing them. When you press them (their shinai), their reaction is to come right back at it.
Then, you attack the openings.

Stomping

(I don't know the words for this technique)

My stomping doesn't seem right.

When I stomp and the floor does make a big sound, then my heal hurts.

But, when I try to do the proper stomping, the floor does not make the big sound.

I know that I should jump toward the opponent as if I'm gonna step on his toe.
That should give my body's weight shift and should give the natural stomping.

But, for some reason it's not happening. I should work on this.

Small Kote-Men

During the basic practice yesterday,
I was doing Ai-Kote-Men against KN sensei.
(Ai-Kote-Men is a Waza where the opponent attack my Kote, but I attack his Kote-Men right at the same time)

To do that, I had to do the small Kote-Men.
KN sensei said that my Kote-Men should use my shoulders and be natural (and smooth).
(It's really hard to describe in words. I'll get back on this topic later. I'll probably have to draw or something)

From now on, I'm gonna have to work on this. Also, watch KN sensei's Kote-Men carefully.

Things to work on

1. Stepping back right before the attack.
UG mentioned that my left foot steps back right before the opponent attack.
It must be something that I'm not even aware of. I should watch out for it next time.

2. More Zanshin.
NG said that after the strike, we should have more Zanshin and go faster.
He said that's why UG makes us to do so many Suri-ashi (for the Zanshin after the attack).
After the strike, I probably used up half of my energy that it's really hard to bring myself to do faster Zanshin. But, I should work on this.

3. Breaking the fear.
During the keiko w/ KN sensei, he got me a good Tsuki. After that, I was so afraid that I couldn't go forward. All my attacks stopped in the middle. I should break that fear.

Being a Good Senpai

I think CMKD did well today. Alex, Bennette, Louie and Matsumoto fought hard in younger Kyu group. (I didn't get to watch any adult group)

Seeing other dojos (especially Torrance, OCB, Cypress, etc.), I felt that I must be a good senpai to be a good example for our dojo's young kenshis.

I'm not good enough. I should try hard to be a good example for them and help them to improve in proper Kendo.

Advice from SPC

I talked to SPC at the SCKF Tournament.

I asked him what I should do to fix my habit of blocking. He said that blocking is not good. He suggested few methods:
1. When I practice against little kids, I know for sure that I can beat him because they're slower and I can see them completely (I can see all the moves and their whole body b/c they're so small). If I can see them coming to attack, then try my counter-attack Wazas. Also, practice my Seme and Waza on them. THEN, take that to a higher level opponents. I should be able to see them as well.

2. He also said that, first, I should try to see them coming. If I see them then attack, it's already too late. I must 'feel' them coming. (UG mentioned this many times, too) I really didn't know what this meant. But, I had few instances when I could 'feel' that the opponent was going to attack (certain target too). I don't know how to explain this, but I could just 'feel' it. (I'll try to work on it and explain further once I get the grasp of it)
Once I practice 'seeing' them coming in, then try to 'feel' them coming in. He said that the ultimate goal is to feel them coming in even before they attack (and do my counter-attack).

3. I told him that when I tried to keep my Kamae (and not block), the tip of my Kamae often slips off from the opponent's Do and the opponent hits a valid Men. He said that if I'm not keeping a straight Kamae, it's my fault. I should not try to force blocking the opponent by holding a strong Kamae (hard to explain but I often try to point at Tsuki to make the opponent's Men invalid), but my Kamae should be in the center and aim the tip to his Tsuki.

Go CMKD!!!

This Sunday is SCKF Championship.

Go CMKD!!!