I used to take Kumdo and I'm trying to get back into practice, but I can't remember whether an overhead sword strike should end with locked elbows. I'm pretty sure it should, but I think I overstrained some arm muscles. This might be because certain muscles are underdeveloped, or it might be because I need to slow down near the end of my strike puts less stress on my elbows. Anyone here practice Kumdo or a related sword style that can answer my question?
Also, should the tip of the sword move a bit more near the end of the strike than the blade?
2007-03-12 05:17:13 · 12 answers · asked by ILK3000 2 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
In all the martial arts I've done, elbows and knees are never locked out - doing so is asking for more compression damage to the joints or asking for the joint to be broken with a lateral strike against direction the joint naturally moves.
With strikes from the Judan guard (overhead), I have been taught to think of it less as a top hand pushing the blade down but the bottom hand pulling the blade down - the 'wringing' or the hilt, like wringing the water out of a wet towel is the means to stop the blade at will rather than trying to pull back the sword.
If you cannot stop your weapon at any time during the strike, you aren't in control of your weapon - its in control of you. Bent elbows (no matter how slight) and the wringing motion leads to control. Locked elbows pushing the sword leads to you simply hanging on for the ride.... no wonder your elbows end in a shock that causes strain in the arm joints and muscles.
To me, this simply makes physiological sense and I doubt there is a difference in physiology between people based on a specific school of swordsmanship. The body works in similar ways regardless of who you are so physiologically, all styles would be similar. Philosophically, which is the basis of the small interpretive differences in overall similar techniques, may be huge, but the basic mechanics behind them are quite similar regardless how different the intent, meaning, teaching methods, etc.,... to train the specific, yet similar techniques may be.
Ultimately, if you are hurting your body doing the strikes, you probably haven't mastered the strikes yet - that's what training is all about. Sounds like its time to say 'hey, it hurts when I do this, what adjustment can I make to get the same if not better effect with practice without it hurting?'
2007-03-12 13:18:46 · answer #1 · answered by Justin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1- Kumdo is not representative of a "sword" strike technique.
Although there are many corralaries, it is not the same or even a close enough translation.
2- the answer is no, based on kendo. you want to extend your arms, but not "lock" your elbows. stay loose so you can move again or react if you need to. you are actually "snapping" the shinai, not "striking" with it like a real cut.
2007-03-12 06:31:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should never lock your joints. If you are in a actual situation (although I don't know when that would happen with a sword) and you lock out a joint you will most likely injure it. If it is locked and received impact it has no where to go so the tissue around the joint will then absorb the impact leading to injury.
Also, if you train often and lock out your joints this damages the tissue around the joint. You should never lock your joints out, not with weapons, empty hand, basketball, wrestling....anything. It will only cause damage to the joint.
2007-03-12 11:15:14 · answer #3 · answered by spidertiger440 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on which style you are using, as well as the design of the sword you are using. for example...the katana with its curved blade is used with both hands, the lower hand is a pivot point, so when the strike takes place, it allows a smoother cutting action. your basic "ninja" sword with its straight blade, will still work like the samurai, only not having the same cutting action. as well as the kendo. myself i prefer the "tai chi". with the light blade, single hand action is very smooth. but i believe that when you slice sideways with your sword, you use the pivot method, but your overhead strike, should be preformed with the locked technique. good luck
2007-03-12 05:34:21 · answer #4 · answered by antiiowan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your body is giving you the answers. Or you could think of it this way. If you are cutting into someones' head is the extra inch gonna help?
2007-03-13 15:55:29 · answer #5 · answered by Scott 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on your discipline.
In Taiji there is a 70% rule --
never extend beyond 70% of your range.
2007-03-12 06:59:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never lock your elbows. Never lock any joint for that matter. Good way to break them.
2007-03-13 04:29:00 · answer #7 · answered by Evan S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a defender should never lock his elbows with any strike because that means that you have extended your arm fully and that can cause hyper-tension .
2007-03-12 05:24:29 · answer #8 · answered by carlito 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Never lock your elbows.
2007-03-13 06:11:50 · answer #9 · answered by Ray H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no.you shouldnt lock joints espescially your elbows.besides the risk of impact injuries theres also the risk of hyperextension injuries.
2007-03-12 12:15:40 · answer #10 · answered by BUSHIDO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋