A Beginner's Point of View 120-121

Day 120:

My wrists felt much better, so I went to the beginner class. Sensei was there as his training for his new job was finished. We practiced one-step men and kote-men a lot.

Sensei was teaching us to be smoother when performing such actions instead of in a hurry to impress our opponents. He also reminded us to take center before moving or else we will miss every time.

Day 121:

Today Head Sensei showed up. After our stretches, he oversaw the drills. He was very interested in making us strike kote today. He wanted to see the kote strike done right. Kiai, step into range, take center, strike, then lift the shinai up and to the left, and then pass through with zanshin.

One lesson he taught was that if we lined up properly, then we should not look at the target. If we look at the target, then our aim will drift too low, similar to striking doh. He said we needed to “believe” that we can hit the target without looking at it. When we did as he instructed, it went a lot easier.