Strike is not fast enough

by Ann

How to make the blow more rapid and precise?

I practice not so long and saw that it is not quite sharp and agile. It should be like a thunderbolt, but something viscous, smooth.

I feel that I have enough speed.

Hands? How should they work correctly during the strike?

Thank you for answer.

Answer: Thank you for your question. It is very hard to answer but if I must answer it in a short form, then all I can say is “practice”.

However, I know that is not an answer you and others are looking for. :)

Please look at the followings that are necessary to make your strikes fast.

• Physical strength: a lot of physical training including kendo, gym and etc.


• Timing: the right timing must be learned in order to strike quickly (seems quick to your opponent)


• Learn ki-ken-tai-icchi: perfect ki-ken-tai-icchi creates an amazing strike.


• Distance: Know your ma-ai. You can reach your opponent with one step but your opponent can’t reach you with his/her one step.


• Good tenouchi.

If you TRY to swing fast, you become tense so you cannot strike fast. You should be able to strike in a nice and relax manner.

If you are young, train as hard as you can. Lot of kakari –geiko and uchikomi will give you a solid kendō physical foundation. 

If you are not capable of hard training, you should be focusing on timing and distance (ma and ma-ai). Of course, we should push ourselves as hard as we can, but not until the breaking point. Once you get hurt, you will have to stop training for a long time. That sucks.

Speed is important but not as important as ma-ai (distance) and ma (timing). It does not matter how fast you are, if the timing and distance to strike are wrong, you cannot even reach a target.

Do not make your strikes too small to gain speed. You might hit a target but your kendō will tend to become a hitting game. That is something we should really avoid.

Hope this helps.

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