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Shikake Waza (offense techniques)
Shikake
techniques are offensive techniques that create suki or openings
for striking opportunities. Kendo techniques in this category
use various ways to create openings, such as parrying, evading
and others. Most shikake methods make use of breaking the opponents
kamae and disrupting the opponent’s techniques or in surprise
as in Ippon-Uchi- Waza (basic striking techniques ).
Debana Waza
(moment of attack techniques)
Debana waza strikes are strikes at the moment
the opponent attacks or moves forward. Striking the opponent
at the instant he moves forward takes advantage of the opponent’s
momentary focus on his own movement and attack.
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| Both men are in issoku-itto-no-maai, chudan kamae. Your
strategy is to quickly strike just as your opponent steps
forward, you immediately strike a small waza men before
the opponent raisies his sword. |
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Harai
Waza
(parry and strike techniques)
Harai
waza is used for opponents that use a good kamae and are alert
to counter any move you make. Harai waza is taking the initiative
to attack primarily by using a parry of the opponent’s
sword to simultaneously upset the opponent’s kamae and
create an opportunity to attack. Important tips: Parry the
opponent’s sword close to the mid section of the sword
instead of the tip. Move your sword in a curved line making
an unbroken parry and striking in one continuous motion. Harai
waza is best used as the opponent moves either forward or
backwards.
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| Both opponents are in issoku-itto-no-maai, chudan kamae.
Taking the initiative step forward while raising your
sword. |
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| without stopping parry the opponent’s sword downwards
diagonally and to the left,.. |
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Hiki
Waza
(stepping back and striking techniques)
Hiki
waza are techniques of stepping backwards and striking when
in close with the opponent, finding the opponent unaware,
or surprising the opponent by stepping backwards quickly.
Hiki waza tips: keep pressure on the opponent and do not allow
any opening for attack. Throw the opponent off guard when
stepping backwards by moving in a quick and strong manner.
This will prevent the opponent from attacking quickly.
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| Both you and the opponent are in close body positioning.
Push down the opponent’s fists with the base of
of your sword guard. As the opponent pushes back step
backwards with your left foot. |
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| You strike the dopponent’s left do and continue
stepping backwards in zanshin. |
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Katate
Waza
(one arm striking techniques)
Katate waza or one arm striking are strikes
to produce a surprise attack while the opponent is moving
backwards. Katate waza must never be used while the opponent
is moving forward.
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| Your opponent and yourself are in the issoku-itto-no-maai
chudan-no-kamae. You start the attack by stepping foward
pointing the sword at the opponent’s throat as the
opponent lowers the tip of his sword... |
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| release your the right hand grip on your sword and strike
tsuki. Return to your original position immediately after
striking tsuki. |
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Oji
Waza
(parry and counter strike techniques)
Oji
Waza or countering techniques are very useful when in a quick
exchange of strikes with an opponent. Oji techniques can be
thought of as techniques that can be used for aggressive opponents.
All oji waza must be practiced until they are second nature;
only then used to create an opening to counterattack.
Kaeshi
Waza
(parry and strike on the opposite side techniques)
Kaeshi waza
are techniques that make use of the opponent’s striking
force by blocking and blending the opponent’s attack
and creating an opening for your own counterattack in an opposite
direction.
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| Both you and the opponent are in issoku-itto-no-maai
and chudan kamae. The opponent attempts to strike your
kote. Block the kote strike by turning your right wrist
upwards and turning the sword in a slight diagonal. |
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| immediately swing your sword upwards and step forward
and stike the opponent’s kote. Stepping backwards
in zanshin. |
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Uchiotoshi
Waza
(downward parry and strike techniques)
Uchiotoshi techniques
are used to spoil an opponent’s strikes by using a downward
parry to the right or left. The downward parry is effective
in spoiling and disrupting the opponent’s balance and
leaves the opponent open for a counterattack. Important tips:
1. Try to parry the opponent’s sword straight downward
when first learning, later use a downward sliding motion to
parry the sword. 2. Step to the right or left at same time
you begin to parry the sword downward. 3. Time the parry so
that the opponent’s arms begin to fully extend. The
illustrations below show the dodging footwork used in uchiotoshi
waza.
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| Both you and your opponent are in issoku-itto-no-maai
and chudan kamae. The opponent attempts to strike your
kote, his strike and sword is evaded by instantly parring
the his sword downward using hiraki-ashi foorwork, the
ura (right) side of your sword. |
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| In an unbroken sequence you step foward raise your sword
above your head and stike the opponent’s men. Step
forwards in zanshin. |
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Suriage
Waza
(mid-strike parry and strike techniques)
Harai waza and Suriage
waza are similiar in timing and methods. Use your sword to
create an opening by intercepting and sliding the opponent’s
sword. Suriage takes advantage of an opponent’s attack
by parrying and counterattacking. It is best used as part
of a strategy of luring the opponent or presenting an opening
to strike then using suriage waza. Since you are secretly
controlling the opponent’s moves, suriage waza can be
very effective.
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| Both you and your opponent are in chudan kamae and issoku-itto-no-maai.
The opponent attempts to strike men you step backwards
with your left foot and intercept his strike on the left
side of your sword in a twisting upward sliding motion. |
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| Raise your sword above your head step forward and strike
men. Step forwards in zanshin. |
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Nidan-Sandan-Waza
(two and three sequence striking techniques)
Nidan-sandan waza are special sets of techniques
used to wear down and overwhelm the opponent and take advantage
of the opponent’s reactions. Although you intend to
strike in an unbroken sequence, always be aware that your
strike is solid (done correctly) and follow through in zanshin.
Make sure your footwork moves as quickly as your arms and
upper body.
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| Both men are in issoku-itto-no-maai, chudan kamae. Aware
of an opening in the opponent’s defense instantly
step forward and strike the opponent’s kote, in
an unbroken sequence... |
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| strike the opponent’s men, the opponent attempts
to block your men strike. Quickly step forward crash (taiatari)
with the opponent... |
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| without resting take a big step backwards and raising
your fists above your head immediately strike the opponent’s
right do. Follow through by stepping backwards in zanshin. |
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