How do I know if my suburi is becoming right handed?

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How do I know if my suburi is becoming right handed?

by soyuz

How do I know if my suburi is becoming right handed?

Answer: It is very hard to explain by writing but I’ll try. There are some tendencies that our strikes become right handed when…

1. the right elbow is extended fully,
2. the tsuka (grip of your sword) is too long,
3. leaning forwards to reach out your opponent,
4. and of course the right hand is really tense.

The "right handed" means basically your right hand becomes really strong so the left hand is not really doing anything.

If you think your kendo become more right hand oriented kendo, try to do suburi or to strike with only your left hand.

Those who strike using the right hand way more than the left hand cannot really strike with only the left hand. It is very hard to do but it is a great way to remind yourself how you should be using your sword.

Try to do suburi or strike with only your left hand. If it feels really weak, then you probably tend to use the right hand too much.

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How do I know if my suburi is becoming right handed?

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Mar 21, 2009
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Right handed and length of tsuka
by: Santiago B Tejada

Tsuka is too long only when it breaks the point of balance of the shinai. Refer to my comment on "More power in the left hand than the right hand. Why?"

When we studied lever in physics we learned there is and efficient length from the point of pressure to the fulcrum (pivot point.)

Kendo-Guide.Com: His post is excellent. So if you have not read it, please go and read it by clicking the link above.

Tsuka length is very important at the beginning. At the very beginning of learning phase, beginners do not know how things work when they swing a sword.

It is a good idea to adjust tsuka length if we think our kendo is right handed. It is not the only solution but it is something we can do easily.

Mar 10, 2009
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Thanks
by: soyuz

Thanks a lot every body. That was so useful.

Kendo-Guide.Com: You?re very welcome. Many kendoists are out there to help others. Feel free to come and ask questions anytime.

Mar 06, 2009
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Right Hand too Strong
by: John M.

Yes, this is a common issue esp. for right handed people. And one-handed left hand suburi is a terrific way to build strength in the left hand. So at my dojo, after warm-ups, as part of our suburi drills, we commonly do left-handed men uchi (also kote uchi), keeping the left hand centered as it goes up and making sure it comes out straight and dead-centered.

Also I noticed with strong right-handed people is the tendency to kind of snap at the elbow as the strike is finishing; snapping at the elbow also puts the force lower on the shinai rather than towards monouchi. So I will point out to the student to keep arms straight but the elbow relax.

Another thing that helps is left wrist strengthening exercises like hand/wrist squeezing device, used by hockey players for example.

Helpful also is insuring shinai when being raised is as straight as possible; right handed people at the beginning tend to pull and thus shinai is not keep straight as it goes up. Do this in front of a mirror.

Kendo-Guide.Com; Nice input. Thank you! It is always helpful to use a mirror and constantly reminds yourself about your left hand. Lift up your shinai with the left hand without pulling it up with the right hand.

Mar 06, 2009
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!!!
by: Val Serezhkin

Great question!
Very useful info.

Kendo-Guide.Com; Good thing we have this system! Thanks for your comment!

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How do I know if my suburi is becoming right handed?

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How do I know if my suburi is becoming right handed?