Circle Practice for the Sword
Dec. 10, 1991
Mark J. Norton
Several sword concepts can be practiced well in a circle. Have the class make a wide
circle in the dojo, all facing inward. These exercises are best done with the Shinai,
but the boken can be used if care is exercised.
Movement
Moving from one opponent to another is something that needs to be practiced. It is
hard to learn to move smoothly, yet rapidly with a sword and still deliver a good
cut at the end of the motion. To practice in a circle, one person stands in the
center of the circle. He moves forward and delivers a shomenuchi strike. The student blocks
(any block can be used, or one could be specified). The uke then moves to strike
another student. He should try to move smoothly and deliver a good strike to another
student. He should avoid merely attacking the next person in line.
Attack and Defence
Exercise is the same as above, but this time, the defender issues a counterstrike
before the uke disengages and moves on to the next nage. This is more difficult
to perform since a counterstrike follows.
Defense
Instead of a circle, have the students make four lines with a single person in the
center (nage). The lines form a cross centered on nage. Each line has a number
from one to four assigned to it. The instructor calls out a number and the lead
person moves in and attacks nage with shomenuchi. By varying the numbers, attacks from the
side and rear can be called out. The instructor should take care to match the pace
of attacks to the student's ability.