ucl kendo

General Pointers for All Grades

Here are a few basic things for you to think about, no matter what grade you are taking. Its by no means an exhaustive list, so if you have a question or something you think needs adding, bring it up in the "gradings" section of the forums and if I think it needs adding I will do. If I don't I will delete your post and ban you from the forum.

1 - Your Appearance

• Your Hakama and Keikogi - Try not to look like a hobo! Make sure there are no creases where there shouldn't be, no salt marks and no rucks on the back of your keikogi. Also make sure the knot on your keikogi is horizontal not vertical.
• Your Armour - Check that your tare is on straight on your dou is not crooked. Make sure that your men himo are next to each other on the side of your men and not spread out. No hanging down kote himo either please! Make sure you have removed your zekken as well.
• Your Shinai - Check it over before the grading, because breaking one will make you look like a plum. Make sure all the bits and bobs are tied tightly, and if possible avoid using a shiny new one!

2 - Reigi and Attitude

• Don't nob around - Because if you act like a twat and the panel sees your number then thats probably the first mental black strike against your name. Treat it seriously while you are in the hall, and release nerves outside it.
• Reigi during jistugi and kata - This is essentially the same as it is when you are in the dojo, except that there are white lines for you to walk to, just make sure you are within 3 paces of them.

3 - Points for Jitsugi at all grades

• A loud Kakegoe - The easiest way to get yourself noticed in a grading is by screaming louder than the other fools there. This will be an instant plus to your name. However, constant kakegoe (ie every 5 seconds) gets you tarred with the "noob brush", so try to keep it to one or two when you and your partner return back to toi maai to start your seme-ai again.
• Don't block too much - One of the shortcuts to failure! If you stand there and simply block all the time then all it proves is that you can see it coming but can't do anything about it. Use footwork to move your whole body out of the way and maintain your posture, or use oji waza and make them look like a spanner.
• Don't use what you can't do - Believe me, the last place you want to try practising your new project waza is in the middle of a grading.
• Tsubazeriai - Try to spend as little time here as possible, but that is not to say don't do it! If you think you can get a good ippon from tsubazeriai within a few seconds then great, otherwise try not to spend more than 5 seconds or so here, as you are trying to show them your kendo, not your standing next to a bloke skill.
• And for god's sake don't do gyaku dou, katate waza or tsuki of any kind! - That kind of speaks for itself! Doing any of the above is the single fastest and most succesful way to INSTANTLY fail. Trust me.

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