LEVEL 2: BUILD STRONG KENDO BASICS

Already training at a dojo? Use this Level 2 roadmap to review the fundamentals between classes. Your instructor’s corrections take priority, especially for partner practice and readiness for bōgu.

New to this roadmap? Start with etiquette and manners, then follow the full solo-training sequence below. Still exploring kendo or looking for a dojo? Begin with Level 1 — Start Kendo.

Choose Today’s Review

Returning after practice? Open the topic connected to the correction your sensei gave you.

Posture and stance: natural posture · chudan
Movement: footwork
Sword movement: suburi
Basic strikes: men · kote · dō
Coordination: kote-men · haya suburi
Supervised practice: partner-training sequence

These shortcuts help you find a lesson; they do not replace the training order your instructor sets. Watch the introduction or continue to the full plan below.

Your Level 2 Kendo Training Roadmap

The Beginner Training Plan

Two Phases

Tandoku Dōsa (Training Alone): 3 days/week × 4 months (about 48 days)
Sōtai Dōsa (Pair Training): 3 days/week × 2 months (about 24 days). Gradually put on armour (bōgu).

Beginner training usually lasts about six months, although the schedule varies by dojo. These foundational phases shape everything that follows.

Adult beginners benefit from taking time here. A strong foundation makes later training safer, clearer, and easier to refine.

Tandoku Dōsa (Training Alone)

First of all, beginners learn the basic movements without a partner. This includes:

This tandoku dōsa was practised 3 days/week × 4 months (about 48 days). The longer, the better.

Sōtai Dōsa (Pair Training)

Once beginners have learned the tandoku dōsa, they learn pair training.

Changing Directions
Shomen Uchi
Kote Uchi
Do Uchi
Ni Dan Uchi: kote-and-men, kote-and-do, men-taiatari, men-taiatari-men, men-taiatari-kote, men-taiatari-do
Uchikomi Kirikaeshi
Uchikomi Geiko
Kakari Geiko

I think 6 months of basic training is a good start. In the old days, beginners apparently spent a year or more learning the basics.

Let’s make the basics interesting, so beginners enjoy learning them and improve more quickly in the future.

After Practice: Choose One Thing to Improve

Write down one correction from your sensei.
Find the matching lesson in this roadmap.
Review what you can safely practice alone; leave partner work for supervised practice.
Take one question back to your next class.

Bookmark this page and return to the solo-training sequence whenever you need to review. Progress depends on the quality of your fundamentals, not simply finishing a list or reaching a date.

Already established in bōgu and preparing for 1–3 dan? Explore Level 3 — Improve with Purpose, while continuing to refine these basics with your instructor.