Waza usage

前幾個禮拜我跟庭軒（劍道六段）在網上講話，他說在他的映像裡，我用的技（わざ）不夠。或者是我都只有用到出ばな技（でばなわざ）。說實在，我有點驚訝他會這麼說，因為我覺得我用太多応じ技（おうじわざ）。可是仔細想想，他說得有道理。我的毛病（之一）是我對不同對手用不同技（わざ）。雖然這是應該的，可是我是往不好，不平均的方向應用。跟映像比我強的對手對打的時候，我不太用応じ技（おうじわざ）。跟映像比我弱的對手的時候，我用太多応じ技（おうじわざ）。在 Champaign 這裡大部分的對手都比我弱，所以我才會覺得我用太多応じ技（おうじわざ）吧。。。

我想我會有這種形象是因為攻め（せめ）和劍道訓練的關係。強的對手的攻め（せめ）比較強。感受到他的攻め（せめ），我會經不起，而採用先攻的打法。我會先攻是因為劍道重視攻擊；攻擊比撤退安全。換句話說，我對我的応じ技（おうじわざ）信心不夠，於是我不敢讓強對手採先機。對我弱的對手我有信心我可以交架他的攻擊，於是我常用応じ技（おうじわざ）。另一個原因可能是懶吧。:-p 仔細想想，這可能是我這次在 MWKF Tournament 輸的兩場的重要原因之一。

我還不清楚我要如何克服這個現象。前一陣子我打了一下上段（じょうだん）來克服對後輩（こうはい）怕輸，太多応じ技（おうじわざ）的現象。對後輩（こうはい）我得繼續採用不同的打法，包掛攻め（攻め）、仕掛け技(しかけわざ）、応じ技（おうじわざ）。我猜對先輩（せんぱい）我得對我自己多一點信心。應用我的攻め（せめ）和応じ技（おうじわざ）、並且注意我的平常心（へいじょうしん）。

I was talking to Kenji, my cousin in Taiwan who is a rokudan (六段）in kendo, a couple of weeks ago. He said that part of his impression from our last spar back in the summer was that I didn't use many wazas (技). He felt that the only waza （技）I did were debana waza（出ばな技). I was surprised to hear him say this, since I feel that I use too much ouji waza (応じ技）. After more reflection, I think I know why he said that. One of my problems, I think, is that the types of waza （技）I use depends on my opponent. However, instead of adjusting based on openings and what would work, I am adjusting based on my opponent's strength. That is not a good sign, in my opinion. Against opponents I perceive as stronger than me, I tend to not use ouji waza （応じ技）as much, while I over-rely upon them against opponents weaker than me. Since most of the people here at UIUC are weaker than me, I tend to think I use too much ouji waza （応じ技).

I think this has a lot to do with seme (攻め）and the training we receive through kendo. An opponent stronger than me usually has strong seme（攻め), and I respond by attacking earlier and more often to try to seize the initiative. Most people would respond this way because in kendo, attacking is better/safer than defending. In other words, against a strong opponent, I tend to give up on applying my own seme (攻め), break down my opponent, and utilize ouji waza (応じ技). I am more confident when facing a weaker opponent, and then give my seme (攻め）and ouji waza (応じ技) a chance to come through. Now that I think about it, this rushing, not wanting to yield the initiative to a stronger opponent, and reluctance to utilize ouji waza (応じ技）is a pretty big part of my losses at the last MWKF tournament...

I'm not entirely sure how I can go about fixing/improving this. I did joudan (上段）for a while to make myself attack more against my kohai (後輩) instead of waiting and relying upon my ouji waza (応じ技). I need to continue to bring my full arsenal, including seme, shikaki waza, and ouji waza (攻め、仕掛け技、応じ技). I guess I need to have more confidence when facing a senpai (先輩), and try to utilize my seme and ouji waza more (攻めと応じ技). I think this is part of/indication of lack of heijyoushin (平常心).