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X. Exercises
- Greatsword Kata I – Block/strike
This kata supplies a repeating series of movements that allow you to practice all aspects of striking and blocking while maintaining your balance and an upright position. In performing the blocks, use the rotation of your body to assist your arms in moving the weapon into the proper position.
- Forwards
- Strike towards your opponent’s head.
- Lower the point of the blade until it is about six to twelve inches from the ground.
- Turn your front foot out.
The exercise moves from one stance to the reversed stance. Moving your foot in this manner places it in the proper position for the next stance.
- Take a crescent step forwards with your back foot to complete a reversed stance.
- Pull the blade towards its hilt an up into a block.
The block alternates between forehand and off-side with each repetition of the exercise. The block is always on the side to which the butt of your weapon points after the strike.
- Strike towards your opponent’s head.
- Repeat, blocking towards the other side.
- Backwards
- Strike towards your opponent’s head.
- Lower the point of the blade until it is about six to twelve inches from the ground.
- Take a crescent step backwards with your front foot to complete a reversed stance.
- Turn your front foot in.
- Pull the blade towards its hilt an up into a block.
- Strike towards your opponent’s head.
- Repeat, blocking towards the other side.
- Greatsword Kata II – Combination
This combination of techniques allows you to practice flowing from one technique to the next. You might never use the entire sequence, but you will very likely use parts of it.
- Take a stance with your sword in the high guard.
- Strike towards your opponent’s head.
- Stride forwards with your back foot into a reversed stance. At the same time, pull your blade back into a Point Guard.
- Thrust towards your opponent’s face. If you are trying to build accuracy:
- Be careful to move the weapon down its own length as it moves towards the target.
- Thrust very slowly. The thrust in the video is faster than is useful in building accuracy.
- Pull back into a forehand block.
- Be careful not to shift your weight to your back foot.
- Keep your weight balanced, and your body upright.
- Ensure that the tip of the blade drops quickly as the block is executed.
- Swing down and across in a leg blow, while starting to stride forward with your back foot.
- Pull the blow through with out contact by pulling your hands closer into your body.
- The tip of the weapon should move so that it points directly out to your side at the point where it starts to move back towards the target.
- Your back foot should move as the sword passes in front of you. Allow the sword to pull your foot off of the ground, rather than making the stride a separate movement.
- Your back foot should complete its stride just after the tip of the sword starts to rise towards the target, while still pointing out to your side.
- Reverse your hands by pulling with the lower hand towards the hilt and up, directing a blow towards your opponent’s face, and pushing with your upper hand.
- Pause, then move the blade back up into a high guard, then repeat.
- Naginata
The exercises with the naginata are meant to increase your facility with handling the weapon. Strive for fluidity and control.
- Naginata – butterfly
- Naginata – one-handed
Note that the front hand slides back slightly each time the blade moves forward.
- Naginata – regaining guard
The object here is to become able to retrieve your weapon and move smoothly and quickly to a guard position. Perform this exercise by tossing your weapon up at various angles, or by releasing one hand and throwing the blade to one side, then retrieving the blade and moving quickly to a guard position.
- Naginata – changing hands
Note that the front hand slides back slightly each time the blade moves forward.
- Sticky hands
The attacker tries to place his or her hand in the center of the defender’s chest. The defender tries to block or divert these attempts, while maintaining contact with, and control of the hand of the attacker. This is not a speed exercise, and the hands move reasonably slowly.
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