THE CONDITIONS OF IPPON UCHI
1. Seme:
Before attempting to strike, the attacker must force/find an opening. Do not reward those who just keep cutting and hoping.
This type of attacking must not be recognised with Ippon as it shows a lack of respect for the opponent and a lack of understanding of the art of kendo.
2. Ki Ken Tai No Ichi:
A forceful strike is delivered in a coordinated way and with the correct part of the shinai (Datotsu Bu).
For Oji waza and Hiki waza the effective striking area extends below the nakayui (Approximately doubling the size of the Datotsu Bu)
There must be a clear timing break between two consecutive attacks that both land.
Ippon cannot be awarded if the attacker is controlled effectively by the opponents sword
3. Kime:
Ippon is not awarded immediately as a strike lands, the strike needs to be effectively finished off:
The attacker must maintain eye contact with their opponent and keep control of their body.
When striking if the posture is maintained and the shinai directed towards the opponent this is sufficient for Ippon.
Stopping in front of the opponent generally means a poorly finished off strike so a step into tsubazeriai, moving past the opponent,
or away from the opponent is desirable (this is at the referee's discretion).
Do not award OJI WAZA where the competitor has been struck already as part of the same attack (even if poorly), or where they cannot avoid crashing into the opponent in such a way as to break posture/form. This spoils the end of the technique. Sidestepping or retreating is acceptable provided the competitor maintains eye contact and posture.
Avoiding the opponent's attack is an important part of any OJI WAZA.
4. Zanshin:
After an effective strike the attacker must remain in a live posture in control of their own space and fully aware of the opponent's actions (this is zanshin).
It is not necessary or desirable to run around the shiajo shaking the shinai and shouting loudly. This is in fact a very poor show of Zanshin. |