What to do and not to do in jigeiko

by Olga
(Ukraine)

What should we try to do and what should we try NOT to do in jigeiko?

For example, in jigeiko we may pay all attention on continuous striking doing as much strikes as we can. On the other hand, we may try to have a 'positional' fight and only strike when we see the opening and sure we don't miss; waiting for the openings or provoking openings.  What is preferable?

And also what should we pay attention on (strike accuracy -or- strike speed -or- speed of footwork/movements etc.):

1. in jigeiko

2. kakari-geiko

3. uchikomi-geiko

Answer: Nice questions.

I would like to answer the last 2 questions first.

3. Uchikomi geiko (uchikomi) :  Uchikomi must be done in the basic motion, i.e. strikes should be big.  In some uchikomi, we decide what to strike beforehand.  It is also called yakusoku-geiko (training in which we strike the targets we’ve promised).  

If the targets to strike are not predetermined,  motodachi  (receiver) will make openings so kakarite (striker) can execute nice and big strikes.

Accuracy and correctness are the most important.

2. Kakari geiko:  Unlike uchikomi geiko, in kakari geiko, motodachi hardly makes openings for kakarite. Kakarite just keeps striking.

Kakarite is allowed to make openings if motodachi’s shinai is in their way.

Strikes are smaller and much faster than uchikomi. In other words, kakarite’s job is to get themselves tired as quickly as possible.

Speed and commitment are more important.

1.Jigeiko: As we all know we have teacher side and student side in kendō.  if you are lower than your training partner,  you should go forward and strike without executing ōji waza. Ōji waza are counter attacks.  If you are lower, you should concentrate more on attacking.  In other words, you should practice techniques of sen.

If you are advanced and higher than your training partner, you should practice everything, basically.  You should manipulate the situation so you can strike however you want.

Besides, if you are higher, you should have a goal or target technique you want to work on. For example, if you want to work on men techniques, you only strike men; simple men strikes, debana men, kote suriage men and so on.

Basically, all of them are important but you must remember that jigeiko is not to beat up your opponent.  It is to test your techniques and mind.  That is most important.