Shitachi executes Tsuki Kaeshi Tsuki against Uchitachi in this kata.
Ire-zuki (the counter tsuki shitachi executes) after nayashi needs to be practiced a lot.
I have shown this to many students but they find it tremendously difficult.
Tips:
- The kensaki in Gedan should be lower than hiza-gashira (knee caps)
- Some sensei keep their kensaki higher intentionally but the instructional book says it should be lower than the knee caps.
- Keep your kensaki low.
- Keep your eyes on your opponent, not on the kensaki.
- Uchitachi executes your tsuki to solar plexus. (not the right lung as we heard in the video) *Turn your sword to your left, i.e. the blade should be diagonally facing down to the right.
- Uchitachi should use the shinogi (the side of the sword) when receiving the tsuki from shitachi.
- When you receive the sword of shitachi when shitachi putting kurai-zeme on you, it is not an attack. Take a bigger step backward and your sword should meet your opponent’s.
- The kensaki of uchitachi should stay in the center.
- When shitachi is executing the tsuki back, do not do it too fast. It is dangerous.
- Uchitachi, don’t move the right foot when receiving the first tsuki back from shitachi but take a big step backward on the second step.