My swing becomes angled

by Olga
(Ukraine)

It appeared that when I swing while shinai is above the head it moves not straightly.

My training partners sometimes say that it looks like I am almost making sayu-men instead of straight men, but when shinai hits the men target it is in the center of the opponent's men. So probably I make some kind of loop with shinai behind my head.

I have tried to correct that and now when I am making men suburi my shinai goes straightly. But during not suburi training, especially in jigeiko, my shinai traces a loop above my head.

Can you please advise what can cause that and how it is better to fix that?

Answer:  I assume that your shinai is straight when in chūdan. My chūdan is a bit diagonal so when I lift my sword up above my head, it is very diagonal.

So your chūdan is straight and but your shinai somewhat becomes diagonal (or angled) above your head. The below is a list of causes I can think of.

• Your right hand is pulling your shinai up instead of pushing your shinai up with your left hand


• You roll your right hand inward when you lift your shinai up.


• Your men shape messes up your swinging motion (men-dare (the floppy part) is too log?)

When adrenalin kicks in in kendō, people forget everything but try to hit a target.  That is why your sword does not move as you want it to move especially in jigeiko.

It is unconscious. Therefore, we must repeatedly practice the basics up to the point where you can perform the basics unconsciously.

It may take a while but be patient. Consciously fix your problem and it will become a part of you.

Hope this helps.