Co-ordination

Diagram 11 shows the coordination of arms and legs during the attack step. 11a is the starting posture, 11b shows the Shinai thrusting forward as the right foot begins to rise. 11c shows the Shinai lifting and still thrusting forward, whilst the right knee begins to punch upwards. 11d shows the highest point of the stroke, with the arms stretching upwards. 11e shows the mid point of stroke the whole body is in the air and the blade is in roughly the Jodan (high posture) position. 11f shows the moment of impact as the Shinai is thrown forward. The action of taking off on the first Tsuzukete (follow-through) step will be approximately that of 11c.