Metsuke
Metsuke is basically the sight you see, and how you see it. During kata, it's always preached to look far out, as if looking at the mountain etc. This is much easier to do during kata but much harder to do during gekken.
During gekken, one of the biggest advantages you can take of an opponent is what they look at. You make a quick movement one way, they'll react to it! Then they'll just stare at that direction....if you can get an opponent to do that, then things become much easier.
So during gekken practice, try your best to look at your opponents overall shape. Predominantly the upper body. Don't focus on the sword, or shoulders. Just kind of feel the whole picture. Surprisingly this helps you react more so to the actual threats than the feints.
Now, during cutting, it's very interesting to see how much a person will (or won't for some haha) eye where they're gonna cut. When you get better at cutting, you can hit where you want without having to stare at it too much! Think about how that can translate to gekken. Helps my eyes are small so it doesn't look like I have to stare as much, but when I first started I stared vehemently! So next time, learn to focus on the whole picture instead of just a single spot! Just make sure your aim is good.
Check out the metsuke on Lindai, scary no?
During gekken, one of the biggest advantages you can take of an opponent is what they look at. You make a quick movement one way, they'll react to it! Then they'll just stare at that direction....if you can get an opponent to do that, then things become much easier.
So during gekken practice, try your best to look at your opponents overall shape. Predominantly the upper body. Don't focus on the sword, or shoulders. Just kind of feel the whole picture. Surprisingly this helps you react more so to the actual threats than the feints.
Now, during cutting, it's very interesting to see how much a person will (or won't for some haha) eye where they're gonna cut. When you get better at cutting, you can hit where you want without having to stare at it too much! Think about how that can translate to gekken. Helps my eyes are small so it doesn't look like I have to stare as much, but when I first started I stared vehemently! So next time, learn to focus on the whole picture instead of just a single spot! Just make sure your aim is good.
Check out the metsuke on Lindai, scary no?
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