5.0
Application
5.1
Jiyu-geiko or Ji-geiko (open
practice)
The
purpose of Jiyu-geiko (open practice) is to have a forum to apply what
you have
learned. Practice your attacks and your counterattacks. See how your
opponents
react when you do certain aggressive moves in and out.
Jiyu-geiko
is a time to experiment. Don’t be afraid to be hit upon. We learn by
doing and
failing. Being hit by your opponent is a great signal to tell you that
whatever
technique you just tried was not strong enough or that you were not
able to
execute it perfectly.
There
is no point in practicing techniques that you are already good at and
not
practicing ones that you are no good at.
|
If your
opponent is stronger than you |
You should
try mostly aggressive attacks to gauge the effectiveness of your
spirit, your movements and your strategies. Plan your strategy for that
day and see whether it works. |
It is a sign
of disrespect if you do too many counter-attacks to a senior person. If
you are junior, you should be the one taking the initiative most of the
time. Additionally,
if you are fighting a senior person, do not use tsuki unless they say
that ‘anything goes’. Be fully prepared to withstand a barrage of tsuki
attacks if you tsuki them first. |
|
If your
opponent is about the same as you |
||
|
If you are stronger
than your opponent |
You should
try to do mostly counteracts, reaction and reflex drills. Really try to
see how your opponents move and finish off each hit cleanly. There
really is no point in practicing your attack moves because chances are
you will be able to hit 90% of them. |
This is time
to practice developing your ‘eyes’. Watch and see and learn. |
5.2
Shiai geiko (tournament
practice)
These
exercise is usually only reserved for those going to tournament play.
The
referees will call all infractions, including out of bounds penalties
and other
penalties.
In
a tournament play, never stop until you hear the referee call ‘yame’
(stop).
Often referees will overlook or miss points by you and your opponent.
The match
is never over to it is officially over.
Don’t
give your opponent any chance to hit. And take any
chance that your
opponent gives you.
Be
creative in a match and use the ‘high-low’ method of attacking. If you
want
to attack men, then attack the kote first. And conversely if you want
to attack
kote, attack men first. Mix up your hits and do not solely rely on what
you
think you are good at. The more different areas you can attack, the
stronger you
will be. The best analogy is a pitcher in baseball. The most efficient
pitcher
is one who can throw high and throw low in the strike zone and can
throw fast
and throw curves. Even if the pitcher can throw 100 mph, if that’s all
they
can throw, hitters will eventually hit it.
If
all you can do is men, then your opponent will be able to block it.
