Techniques:   I) Okoriwaza, debanawaza (起こり技〜出端技〜) "Okori" refers to the moment when the opponent starts his/her move to attack. He/she may take a step forward or move his shinai slightly. Okoriwaza is to strike the opponent by taking advantage of this moment. It is important not to wait for the opponent's attack, but to pressure the opponent into attacking. The most common okoriwaza are debana men and debana kote.   Debana men（出端面） Start from one step one hit distance and try to sense when the opponent is coming for your men. When he/she takes a step or moves the shinai, attack the men in a fast and small movement without hesitation. In order to avoid hitting too close, take a small step keeping in mind that the opponent is also moving forward. Make sure you are able to move/attack freely.   Debana kote（出端小手） Start from one step one hit distance and try to sense when the opponent is coming. Hit the opponent's kote when he/she comes for your men. Make fast small movements and move in straight to hit kote. Do not hit the kote from the side because it is harder to hit the target and the opponent's men will probably win over your kote.       II) Shikake waza (仕掛け技) There are two types of shikake waza: Harai waza (払い技) and Katsugi waza (担ぎ技).   Harai waza (払い技) Harai waza (払い技) is used to make an opening by flinging the opponent's shinai from the centerline. You can use either the right (裏) or left side (表) of your shinai and swing from the top down or from the bottom up. There are four possible combinations.   1) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. Lower your shinai to the right. While bringing the left foot closer to the right heel, bring the shinai up and fling the opponent's shinai from the centerline using the left side of your shinai. Your shinai should still have control over the center line. Remember to use the tip of your shinai and to aim for the middle part of the opponent's shinai. Also, make sure that your movements are small and relaxed, but have a strong snap.   2) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. Lower your shinai to the left. While bringing the left foot closer to the right heel, bring the shinai up and fling the opponent's shinai from the centerline using the right side of your shinai. Your shinai should still have control over the center line. Remember to use the tip of your shinai and to aim for the middle part of the opponent's shinai. Also, make sure that your movements are small and relaxed, but with a strong snap.   3) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. Raise your shinai to the right. While bringing the left foot closer to the right heel, bring the shinai down and fling the opponent's shinai from the centerline using the left side of your shinai. Your shinai should still have control over the center line. Remember to use the tip of your shinai and to aim for the middle part of the opponent's shinai. Also, make sure that your movements are small and relaxed, but with a strong snap.   4) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. First move your shinai in a "U" shape as if you are hitting kote from the bottom. Raise your shinai to the left of the opponent's shinai. While bringing the left foot closer to the right heel, bring the shinai down and fling the opponent's shinai from the centerline using the right side of your shinai. Your shinai should still have control over the center line. Remember to use the tip of your shinai and to aim for the middle part of the opponent's shinai. Also, make sure that your movements are small and relaxed, but with a strong snap.   Techinques: 1) Harai men (払い面) from the top using the left side of your shinai. Refer to number one above. 2) Harai men (払い面) from the top using the right side of your shinai. Refer to number two above. 3) Harai men (払い面) from the bottom using the left side of your shinai. Refer to number three above. 4) Harai kote (払い面) from the bottom using the right side of your shinai. Refer to number four above.   Katsugi waza（担ぎ技） The goal of this waza is to break the opponent's kamae by attacking when he is least expecting your moves. Katsugi waza is useful either at the very beginning of the match, or to get out of a stalemate. This waza should not be overused. Also, it is important to apply lots of pressure before attacking in order to break the opponent's kamae. If you fail to break his/her kamae, then the opponent will easily get a point because your targets are exposed. There are four targets that one can hit with this waza: men, kote, do, and gyaku-do. There are two basic movements. The most common of the two is to start from chudain no kamae and to lift the shinai onto your left shoulder（左に担ぐ）. This is used to hit men, kote and do. Here, your right kote should be resting on your left shoulder. The other style is to lift the shinai onto one's right shoulder (右に担ぐ). This is used when hitting gyaku-do.   Examples: Katsugi Men (担ぎ面) Start from one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. As you take a step in with the right foot, raise the shinai onto your left shoulder. The opponent will react by either trying to protect his/her kote, or will take a step back to adjust the distance. Pull the left foot while keeping the shinai on the left shoulder. Then take another step forward while swinging the shinai to hit men. The hit and the fumikomi should land at the same time.   Katsugi Kote (担ぎ小手) Start from one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. Pressure the opponent by slightly pushing his/her shinai from the left or right side (fighting for the center line.) The idea is to make the opponent think that you are going for his/her tsuki. When the opponent tries to block the tsuki, take a step in and lift the shinai onto the left shoulder. Hit the kote while pulling the left foot towards the right heel. You do not need to do fumikomi when hitting kote.   Katsugi Do (担ぎ胴) Start from one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. Pressure the opponent by slightly pushing his/her shinai from the left or right side (fighting for the center line.) The idea is to make the opponent think that you are going for his/her tsuki. When the opponent opens his do by trying to block the tsuki, take a step in and lift the shinai onto the left shoulder. Hit the opponent's right do (the opponent's left side seen from your perspective), while pulling the left foot. Fumikomi is not necessary.   Katsugi Gyaku-do (担ぎ逆胴) Start from one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. Pressure the opponent by slightly pushing his/her shinai from the left or right side (fighting for the center line.) The idea is to make the opponent think that you are going for his/her tsuki. When the opponent opens his do by trying to block the tsuki, take a step in and lift the shinai onto the right shoulder. As soon as the right foot touches the floor, pull the left foot past the right foot. Pivot on the left foot and hit the opponent's left do (the right side seen from your perspective). Fumikomi is not necessary.     �V) Ouji waza (応じ技)  Ouji waza (応じ技) means to parry and hit. There are several types: Nuki waza (抜き技), Kaeshi waza (返し技), Suriage waza (刷り上げ技）, or Uchiotoshi waza (打ち落とし技). �@Nuki waza (抜き技) Nuki waza (抜き技) is to avoid the opponent's shinai by moving out of the way, and then to counter attack. It is important that the opponent's shinai does not touch you or your shinai. There are four five different moves.   1) Ueni nuku (上に抜く) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent's shinai is about to hit your kote, raise your arms to avoid the strike. Then counter attack. Beginners should try by first taking a step back.   2) Shitani nuku (下に抜く) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent's shinai is about to hit your kote, lower your arms to avoid the strike. Then counter attack. Beginners should try by first taking a step back.   3) Ushironi nuku (後ろに抜く) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent's shinai is about to hit any of your targets, avoid the strike by taking a step back. Then counter attack. It is important to keep proper posture and kamae.   4) Hidarini nuku OR Migini hiraku  (左に抜く、又は右に開く) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent's shinai is about to hit your men or the tsuki, avoid the attack by moving your body to the right (move your foot diagonally forward and pivot). When counter attacking, your body should be facing the opponent.   5) Migiini nuku OR Hiradini hiraku (右に抜く、又は左に開く) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent's shinai is about to hit your men or the tsuki, avoid the attack by moving your body to the left (move your foot diagonally forward and pivot). When counter attacking, your body should be facing the opponent.   Examples: Men nuki do (面抜き胴) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent moves to hit your men avoid the hit by taking a small step forward diagonally to the right. At the same time raise your arms, bring the left foot closer to the right heel, and hit small motion do. Do not break your kamae and remember to show your zanshinn by going back in to kamae position after you go through.   Men nuki hidari men (面抜き左面-右に開く-) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent moves to hit your men, take a small step forward to the right and bring the shinai over your head. Pivot so that you face the opponent and pull the left foot back. Take a step in and hit the men. Do not break your kamae until you move to hit the men.   Men nuki migi men (面抜き右面-左に開く-) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent moves to hit your men, take a small step forward to the left with your left foot and bring the shinai over your head. Pivot so that you face the opponent and pull the right foot back and hit the men. Always have proper kamae.   Men nuki men (面抜き面-後方に抜く-) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent moves to hit your men, take a small step back with your left foot and bring the shinai over your head. Pivot so that you face the opponent and pull the right foot back and hit the men. Always have proper kamae.   Men nuki kote (面抜き小手-左に開く-) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent moves to hit your men, take a small step to the left and bring the shinai over your head. Pivot so that you face the opponent and pull the right foot back and hit kote.   Kote nuki men (小手抜き面-上に抜く-) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent moves to hit your kote, raise your arms to avoid the hit. Then take a small step in and hit the opponent's men. Beginners should take a small step back when raising his/her arms to make this movement easier.    �AKaeshi waza (返し技) Kaeshi waza (返し技) means to block the opponent's attack and use the wrists to counter attack in one movement. There are two ways of blocking. The more common method is to block using the left side of the shinai. The other method is to use the right side of the shinai.   Examples: Men kaeshi do (面返し胴 -表で受け、右に開く-) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent starts to move to hit your men, raise your shinai and block the hit with the tip. Simultaneously, move your right foot forward and hit the opponent's do.   Men kaeshi gyaku-do  (面返し逆胴 -裏で受け、左に開く-) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent is about to hit men, move your right foot forward and block with the right side of your shinai. Simultaneously, pivot on the right foot, turn towards the left, and hit the opponent's gyaku-do.   Kote kaeshi men (小手返し面 -表で受ける-) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent is about to hit kote, block with the left side of the shinai by pulling it towards you. As you block, step in with the right foot and hit men. When doing this technique, it is important to be relaxed because you are using the opponent's force to turn your shinai with your wrists before attacking. Remember to take a small step, since the opponent is also moving forward.   Kote kaeshi kote (小手返し小手 -表で受ける-) Start from a one step one hit distance in chudan no kamae. When the opponent is about to hit kote, block with the left side of the shinai by pulling it towards you. As you block, step in with the right foot and hit kote. When doing this technique, it is important to be relaxed because you are using the opponent's force to turn your shinai with your wrists before attacking. Remember to take a small step, since the opponent is also moving forward.     �BSuriage waza (すり上げ技) Suriage waza (すり上げ技) is different from kaeshi waza because you do not try to block or cancel the opponent's strike. The goal is to parry (or redirect) the opponent's attacks by raising your arms in a small semi-circular motion. After the suriage motion, make sure you are ready to attack. You can either use the left side or the right side of your shinai to do this.   Examples: Men suriage men -using the left side of shinai, moving forward- (面すり上げ面 -表ですり上げ、右斜め前に開く-) Start from a one step one hit distance. When the opponent is about to come for men, slightly lift the tip of your shinai to the right. As the opponent is coming for men, raise your arm in a semi-circular motion and use the left side of your shinai to parry. As you parry, move your right leg forward slightly towards the right. Turn your body so that you face the opponent and hit men.   Men suriage men -using the right side of shinai and move backwards- (面すり上げ面 -裏ですり上げ、左斜め後方に開く-) Start from a one step one hit distance. When the opponent is about to come for men, slightly lift the tip of your shinai to the left. As the opponent is coming for men, raise your arm in a semi-circular motion and use the right side of your shinai to parry. As you parry, move your left leg backwards slightly towards the left. Once your body is parallel to the opponent, hit backwards men.   Men suriage kote -using the right side of shinai, then hit backwards kote- (面すりあげ小手 -裏ですりあげ、左斜め後方に開く-) Start from a one step one hit distance. When the opponent is about to come for men, slightly lift the tip of your shinai to the left. As the opponent is coming for men, raise your arm in a semi-circular motion and use the right side of your shinai to parry. As you parry, move your left leg backwards slightly towards the left. Once your body is parallel to the opponent, hit kote backwards.   Kote suriage men 1 (小手すりあげ面 -裏ですり上げる-) Start from a one step one hit distance. Unlike in other examples, do not move your shinai even when you think the opponent is about to come for kote. As the opponent is coming for kote, raise your arm in a semi-circular motion and parry the attack by using the right side of your shinai. As you parry, move your right leg forwards slightly and hit men.   Kote suriage kote 2 (小手すりあげ小手 -裏ですり上げ、左斜め後方に開く-) Start from a one step one hit distance. Unlike in other examples, do not move your shinai even when you think the opponent is about to come for kote. As the opponent is coming for kote, raise your arm in a semi-circular motion and parry the attack by using the right side of your shinai. As you parry, move your left leg backwards slightly and hit kote. The footwork for this backwards hit is the same as the fumikomi for the hiki waza. And, make sure your body is parallel to the opponent.   Tsuki surage men 1 (突きすり上げ面 -表で刷り上げる-) Start from a one step one hit distance. When the opponent comes for tsuki, use the left side of the shinai to parry the attack while taking a step in to hit men.   Tsuki surage men 2 (突きすり上げ面 -裏で刷り上げる-) Start from a one step one hit distance. When the opponent comes for tsuki, use the right side of the shinai to parry the attack while taking a step in to hit men.    �CUchiotoshi waza (打ち落とし技) Uchiotoshi waza (打ち落とし技) is a type of Ouji waza where one parries the opponent's attacks by hitting his shinai completely off its path. If one uses his/her left side of the shinai to parry, then you will raise your shinai slightly above to the right as the opponent moves in to hit. Then bring the shinai downwards diagonally to the left. If you use the right side of the shinai to parry, then you will bring your shinai up slightly to the left and strike diagonally down to the right as the opponent moves in.   Examples: Men uchiotoshi men -using the left side of your shinai to parry- (面打ち落とし面 -表に打ち落とし、右に開く-) Start from a one step one hit distance. When the opponent is about to come for men, raise your shinai slightly to the right (you will use the left side of your shinai to strike). The opponent's shinai should move downwards to your left. When the opponent comes for men, use the tip of your shinai and strike the base of the opponent's shinai (close to the tsuba). As your make this movement, move your right foot forward. As you hit men, move the left foot forward up to the right foot. At the same time, use backwards fumikomi (like in hiki waza) and move back towards the right.   Men uchiotoshi men -using the right side of the shinai- (面打ち落とし面 -裏に打ち落とし、左に開く) Start from a one step one hit distance. When the opponent is about to come for men, raise your shinai slightly to the left (you will use the right side of your shinai to strike). When the opponent comes for men, use the tip of your shinai and strike the base of the opponent's shinai (close to the tsuba). The opponent's shinai should move downwards to your right. As your make this movement, move your left foot backwards and hit backwards men.   Kote uchiotoshi men (小手打ち落とし面 -裏に打ち落とす-) Start from a one step one hit distance. When the opponent is about to come for kote, raise your shinai slightly. When the opponent comes for kote, use the tip of your shinai and strike the opponent's shinai downwards. Do not do fumikomi until you strike the men.   Do uchiotoshi men (胴打ち落とし面 -裏に打ち落とす-) Start form a one step one hit distance. When the opponent is about to come for do, raise the tip of your shinai slightly. When the opponent attacks, use the tip of your shinai and strike downwards, aiming for the opponent's tsuba area. Do not do fumikomi during this uchiotoshi. Then hit men with fumikomi.   Proper way to do "Tsubazeri" (正しい“鍔競り合い”の仕方) Start from a one step one hit distance and move in closer until the two tsubas touch each other. Make sure that the left hand does not move from the centerline. The most common mistake is to take a break during tsubazeriai. If you were using a real sword the blade would be close to you, so you must stay alert and focused. The same thing applies when playing kendō. Other common errors: -the arms are too high (the tsuba should be at chest level) -the distance is too close -your shinai is angled to the right (Always try to keep your left hand in the center.) -make sure your shinai does not touch the opponent     Some techniques from tsubazeri position (鍔競いからの技)   Omote kuzushi -create a good distance by pushing the opponent to your left- (表崩し) Start from a proper tsubazeri position. Move your right leg to the right, shift your weight on to it, and twist your body and push the opponent to your left. This will create a space between you and the opponent. Make sure you twist your body from the hips and use the power of your body, not arms, to push the opponent off balance. If you use too much arm power, your arms will be stretched out and you cannot hit any targets. This move should be done with proper footwork.   Ura kuzushi -create a good distance by pushing the opponent to your right- (裏崩し) Start from a proper tsubazeri position. Push your opponent's tsuba slightly to your left or slightly diagonally to your lower left. When the opponent reacts by pushing back (fighting for the center line,) use this momentum to take the opponent off balance. As the opponent pushes back, move your left foot to the left, pivot with your right kote, and use your left kote to push the opponent's right kote out of the center. Remember to use your wrists and not your arms. Use proper footwork and push from your hips when twisting your body.   Shita kuzushi -create an opening by pushing down on the opponent's shinai and taking advantage of the opponent's attempt to get back to center- (下崩し) Start from a proper tsubazeri position. Slip your tsuba onto the opponent's and push down. The opponent will react by trying to bring his tsuba back to proper position. This will create various openings.   Backwards men using Omote kuzushi with the left side of your shinai (表崩しから表の引き面) Start from the correct tsubazeri position. Move your right leg to the right, twist your body to push the opponent off balance. If the opponent does not react, hit the left side of the opponent's men (it is the right side seen from your perspective) and move backwards. Make sure you move back fast and are at a safe distance from the opponent. Then bring your shinai down to kamae position to show zanshin.   Backwards men using Omote kuzushi using the right side of your shinai (表崩しから裏の引き面) From correct tsubazeri position use omote kuzushi (refer to explanation above). When the opponent fights to get back the center line, use this force and hit backwards men. You should hit the opponent's men on his right (your left) and move backwards diagonally to the left. Make sure you go back far enough from the opponent and show zanshin by going into kamae position.   Hit the right kote by using Ura kuzushi (裏崩しからの引き右小手) From a proper tsubazeri position, use urakuzushi (refer to the instructions above). If the opponent opens his right kote, then hit fast backwards kote. Make sure you go back far enough and show zanshin. Do not bring your shinai too far back, because then it will take more time to prepare for counter attacks by the opponent.   Hit backwards do by using Omote kuzushi (表崩しからの引き胴) After using omote kuzushi, if the opponent raises his arms, then hit backwards do. You should hit the opponent's right do. Make sure to go back far enough and show zanshin.   Hit backwards do by using Shita kuzushi (下崩しからのき引き胴) Start from proper tsubazeri position and use shita kuzushi. If the opponent tries to block his/her men and raises his/her arms, then hit the opponent's right do and go backwards quickly and smoothly. Make sure you go back far enough and that you show zanshin.   Use Omote kuzushi and then hit gyaku do (表崩しからの引き逆胴) Start from proper tsubazeri position and use omote kuzushi. The opponent will try to block his/her men by raising his/her arms and will open his left do (gyaku do). Hit gyaku do and move back quickly and smoothly to a safe distance, and then show zanshin. When hitting gyaku do, make sure that you finish your cut by pulling the tip of your shinai towards you. Also, make sure to keep your eyes on the opponent, and twist your wrists a little so that the string on your shinai is at an angle to the right.   Use Ura kuzushi and hit gyaku do (裏崩しからの引き逆胴) Start from proper tsubazeri position and use ura kuzushi. The opponent will try to block his/her men by raising his/her arms and will open his left do (gyaku do). Hit gyaku do and move back quickly and smoothly to a safe distance, and then show zanshin. When hitting gyaku do, make sure that you finish your cut by pulling the tip of your shinai towards you. Also, make sure to keep your eyes on the opponent, and twist your wrists a little so that the string on your shinai is at an angle to the right.     More advanced hikiwaza techniques (引き技応用)   Make the opponent think you will hit hiki do and then hit hiki men (引き胴ﾌｪｲﾝﾄ引き面) Pretend to hit backwards do from a correct tsubazeri position. If the opponent tries to defend his/her do by pulling his arms down, take advantage of that moment and hit backwards men. Make sure you have enough distance between you and the opponent after you hit, and remember to show zanshin.   Make the opponent think you will hit gyaku do and then hit hiki men (引き逆胴ﾌｪｲﾝﾄ引き面) Pretend to hit backwards gyaku do from a correct tsubazeri position. If the opponent tries to defend his/her do by pulling his arms down, take advantage of that moment and hit backwards men. Make sure you have enough distance between you and the opponent after you hit, and remember to show zanshin by going into kamae position.   Use katsugi waza to create an opening. Then hit backwards men (引き担ぎ技ﾌｪｲﾝﾄ引き面) Start from a correct tsubazeri position. Bring your right kote onto your left shoulder (this is katsugi waza). If the opponent tries to push down on your shinai by extending his/her arms, hit his/her men and move backwards quickly. Make sure you are at a safe distance and show zanshin by going back into kamae position.