Moving Sword Exercises

May 24, 1991

Mark J. Norton


Sword cuts should not always be practiced from a static, standing position. Swordplay requires to ability to move about freely. You must be able to strike while moving. To emphasize this, I have collected and expanded upon a set of moving sword cut exercises designed for movement practice.

These exercises all start with the right foot forward, in a sword-ready posture. The should all be done slowly at first, then faster.

Forward motion:

Step on left, raise sword. Step on right, head cut.
Step on left, head cut. Step on right, head cut.
Step on left, high block. Step on right, head cut.
Step on left, swinging cut. Step on right, swinging cut (Kesa-giri).
Step on left, thrust. Step on right, thrust.
Step on left, middle block. Step on right, thrust.
Step on left, high block. Step on right, high block.
Step on left, tenkan, high thrust. Pivot, head cut.
Step on left, tenkan, upward slash. Pivot, head cut.

Reverse motion:

Step on right, middle block. Step on left, middle block.
Step on right, high block. Step on left, middle block.
Step on right, raise sword. Step on left, head cut.
Step on right, head cut. Step on left, head cut.
Step on right, high block. Step on left, head cut.
Step on right, middle block. Step on left, thrust.

These exercises are not all that easy for beginners, but will cause them to think about how to coordinate their movements with a strike or block. I have emphasized that the cut should come as the body steps and settles down. This is a good way to put ki into the sword cut. Many students will step, then cut. This looks very awkward and should be discouraged.

This is not to suggest that all strikes will be strickly coordinated with stepping motion. This would be a dangerous habit for the advanced student, far too predictable. It does, however, teach the new and intermediate students that body motions and objectives must be coordinated. Eventually, practice can advance to include long, low glides to approach the opponent, as suggested in Dave Lowry's book Autumn Lightning. It can also include running and strike, running with a thrust, etc.