Es Jayen

Building Strength on the Open Side

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by
Es Jayen
on 12-17-2010 at 12:02 AM (6292 Views)
Recently I have noticed that I am extremely weak on my open side when performing one handed cuts on my open side. This is a major problem when performing double cuts from the draw. Often times I will execute the first cut from the draw and leave the mat static, but when I follow up with the second cut I do not cut the severed piece. Instead I bat the piece away, sometimes not even cutting the piece. I can feel a lag from my kissaki to my elbow. I believe that one of the problems is my body mechanics. My hips are engaging too late in the swing. My hips should either turn simultaneously with my arm, or even slightly before. With my hips engaging at the correct time I will have the necessary back up mass to help not only my speed but the strength of the cut.

However, I do not believe this will be enough to get consistent results. I need to be stronger overall with this type of motion. Of course practicing the motion will help, but I have been considering what other exercises might also help. Twisting sit ups are a good start. Since the abs are the core of the body all work on the abs help cutting, but in this case I want to focus specifically on the obliques. I have also considered side sit ups, but from there I am running low on ideas for strengthening my obliques.

In addition to the obliques and the abs I also need to strengthen my pecks and deltoids. Flies with high reps and low weights should help the pecks. The military press with high reps and low weights should help with the deltoids. Hopefully this combination will help to strengthen my one hand open side cuts.

Not being able to perform open handed one sided cuts has seriously limited my cutting from the draw. Since you are cutting closed from the draw the quickest way to double is going open side suhei.

I will try this new routine for two weeks and then see if my results have improved.
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Comments

  1. Jakeonthekob's Avatar
    That sounds like a plan, Greg. I personally do not like to do open one-handed cuts. I want to just do a clean draw cut and come back for a double-handed cut.
  2. TomK's Avatar
    I have had this problem as well. any of you who have met me know that I tend towards softness in the middle. however I have had many successes with this sort of cut and I think the difference between the successes and failures is all in form. it is easy to let hasuji get sloppy in the quick transitions due to the torque of the motion involved not to mention that most people find the right handed cut from the left side more natural a motion. now I'm no expert of Iaido but I have noticed that many people who are good step forward with their right foot to begin this cut. I think this is important because it sets the body up for the return cut. if you step forward with the left foot you will need to switch footing to properly return the cut and that takes time and jostles the body about making hasuji more difficult. I like to go a step farther than initiating cuts from the hip: I bring it all the way from the foot. so with the first cut i am out of the saya complete I let my arm quickly reach full extension then the weight and momentum of the sword will flip it over in my hand and I can start the return cut with pressure from my right foot. If I am hurried for time I can start the return pressure from the right foot before full extension but I need to let the arm reach the full extension before turning the blade and changing direction. this way the body sets itself up and you are not fighting all those forces but letting them do the work for you. hopefully that all made sense and isn't something that you have already explored and there for isn't a help. I just think if you have the strength to make the cut from the right (or left for lefties) as a single cut then you have the strength to do it as a combo cut, you just have to get your body working it right. also if you are cutting above you initial cut please remember that the piece there is now free-standing and more difficult to cut in the first place so you have a harder task as well as coming from your weak side.