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**Avaindimik** · 03-20-2011, 08:34 PM

I have my first Taikai this Sunday (Tomorrow) which is going to be a small/medium event with about 25 teams.

We been told there are going to be a lot of beginners there as well but there will be a big number of high levels up too 2ed Dan.

I'm taking part in a team of just 3 beginners.

My Sensei and my other Senpai's think I should do what beginners do best and defend and block a lot and ruin and spoil their attacks, untill we can see an opening to attack ourselves.

My Sensei is an 6th dan and has been doing Kendo for 46+ years so, sound advice I think.

But what is on my mind a lot right now is should I get the first attack in? (This is to say, if am fighting against an fellow beginner) because the first attack would give you that edge I feel and afterwards, you can defend and block.

Or should I just defend and block from the start?

I been training since Sep last year twice per week and have been in armour since Dec last year.

If you're in a team of 3, then you already have to sacrifice two matches. I'm a bit confused by that advice, unless there are a lot of 3-only teams. Attack, and don't get sucked into tsuba-zeriai. You should EXPECT your opponents to try and snuggle out an easy win. They can go 0-0, 0-0, 0-0 in the remaining three matches and STILL win, after all. You should also think about which of the matches to concede.

03-20-2011, 08:34 PM	#8
Avaindimik Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 515 Senior Member	I have my first Taikai this Sunday (Tomorrow) which is going to be a small/medium event with about 25 teams. We been told there are going to be a lot of beginners there as well but there will be a big number of high levels up too 2ed Dan. I'm taking part in a team of just 3 beginners. My Sensei and my other Senpai's think I should do what beginners do best and defend and block a lot and ruin and spoil their attacks, untill we can see an opening to attack ourselves. My Sensei is an 6th dan and has been doing Kendo for 46+ years so, sound advice I think. But what is on my mind a lot right now is should I get the first attack in? (This is to say, if am fighting against an fellow beginner) because the first attack would give you that edge I feel and afterwards, you can defend and block. Or should I just defend and block from the start? I been training since Sep last year twice per week and have been in armour since Dec last year. If you're in a team of 3, then you already have to sacrifice two matches. I'm a bit confused by that advice, unless there are a lot of 3-only teams. Attack, and don't get sucked into tsuba-zeriai. You should EXPECT your opponents to try and snuggle out an easy win. They can go 0-0, 0-0, 0-0 in the remaining three matches and STILL win, after all. You should also think about which of the matches to concede.
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