Bogu Leading...

Today was the first time I led the bogu training. For whatever reasons, one of the two normal leaders was late, and it was decided to some point that I would lead the bogu people because the other person was more qualified than me to take the beginners, and I had no idea what/how they were being taught their basics. Anyway, I was told what to run through with the bogu/advanced beginners (passed their test but not in bogu yet).

We ran through kirikaeshi with no blocking because the new bogu players have to learn to receive cuts. Additionally, non-blocking kirikaeshi is also good for learning to place your cuts correctly, and controlling power/tenouchi application. Then it was kihon men cuts, kihon kote cuts. We tried some kihon kote-men nidan waza but we only did one rotation of it and it kind of didn't work before some jigeiko with the senior bogu players.

It wasn't too different to regular training, and I think I may have been too loud. I hope I was able to explain properly what we were training on, and also give good corrective tips for those who practiced with me and encouragement. I asked two people afterwards if my leading was ok, not fishing for compliments but rather wanting to know what I had done badly or not so I could improve the next time if I was given the opportunity to lead again. One of them said I was fine, nothing seemed bad or wrong, while the other said that I should train harder more so that I could be a better example hmmm.... I don't train hard enough?.... I guess that is a matter of opinion really because I think I train with my all...

Well, it was something different, and nice in a way that I can be trusted to lead a simple basic bogu training ^^ I'm stepping up in the kendo hierachy haha.