Kendo Lessons

Kendo Basics Series: Okuri Ashi Practice with Shinai

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Shiho-ashi-sabaki with ShinaiThis kendo instructional video introduces a way to practice okuri-ashi called shiho-ashi-sabaki with the shinai.

Shiho-ashi-sabaki is a combination of 4 okuri ashi to 4 different directions, front, back, right and left.

Once this is done with the shinai, you have to distribute your attention to the footwork and shinai so trust me it gets harder.

The points you have to pay attention to:

  • Keep the kensaki still while moving
  • Relax your upper body
  • Keep the balance: especially upper body.
  • Maintain the good stance (many change the width between their feet)
  • Do it slowly until you get the hang of it.

The footwork is more important than learning how to cut in kendo.

Footwork: Okuri Ashi Practice with Shinai

 

Kendo Basics Series: Okuri Ashi Practice

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19-yoiutube-okuriashi-practiceThis kendo instructional video introduces a way to practice okuri-ashi called shiho-ashi-sabaki. Shiho-ashi-sabaki is a combination of 4 okuri ashi to 4 different directions, front, back, right and left.

The points you have to pay attention to:

  • Keep the balance: especially upper body.
  • Maintain the good stance (many change the width between their feet)
  • Do it slowly until you get the hang of it.

The footwork is more important than learning how to cut in kendo.

Footwork: Okuri Ashi Practice

 

Kendo Basics Series: Hiraki Ashi

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Kendo footowrk: Hiraki AshiThis kendo instructional video introduces footwork called hiraki-ashi.

This footwork is also advanced like tsugi-ashi but this is good footwork to learn coordination.

The points you have to pay attention to:

  • Do not cross your legs after each movement
  • Always come back to the beautiful stance
  • Do not drag your feet
  • Do not go up and down while moving
  • Pay extra attention to footwork and coordination.

The footwork is more important than learning how to cut in kendo.

Footwork: Hiraki Ashi

 

Kendo Basics Series: Tsugi Ashi

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Tsugi AshiThis kendo instructional video introduces footwork called tsugi-ashi.

You might learn this at an early stage of your kendo session but remember that is for your knowledge. You do not need this footwork for a long time. Why?

Tsugi-ashi is useful when there is a bit of a distance between you and your opponent.

The points you have to pay attention to:

  • Know that this is an advance technique. You don’t need this for a long time.
  • Learn okuri-ashi thoroughly first
  • Move your left foot so your opponent won’t notice it
  • The left foot does not pass the right foot
  • Do not use this when you are close to your oppoennt

The footwork is more important than learning how to cut in kendo.

Advanced Footwork: Tsugi Ashi

 

Kendo Basics Series: The Foundation of the Basic Footwork: Suri ashi and Okuri ashi

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016-yoiutube-suri-ashi-okuriashiThis kendo instructional video  introduces 2 types of basic kendo footwork or ashisabaki, that is suriashi and okuriashi.

As mentioned in the previous video on the basic footwork, suri-ashi must be performed well by all the kendo practitioners. Then you must study okuri-ashi thoroughly.

Do not underestimate this. If you cannot do this, you cannot enjoy kendo!

The points you have to pay attention to:

  • Get the hang of suri-ashi
  • Be patient. If you cannot do this well, you cannot do kendo!
  • Learn okuri-ashi. Do it slowly first and gradually make it faster
  • Gradually speed up so you won’t drag your feet
  • Practice, practice, practice!

The footwork is more important than learning how to cut in kendo.

The Foundation of the Basic Footwork