Basic Kendo Footwork (Ashi-sabaki)There are five different types of ashisabaki, or basic kendo footwork. The three types of footwork we would like to cover in a little more depth, since you will be using them the most, are Okuriashi and ayumiashi and suriashi. There is also:
SuriashiAll kendo ashisabaki involve suriashi. It is the most basic kendo footwork that must be learned. Suriashi is simply sliding the foot across the ground instead of stepping across the ground. Your toes must be pointed downwards. Step from toe to heel, instead of the normal heel to toe.OkuriashiStandard kendo footwork in chudan-no-kamae, see Basic Stances section. The basic kendo stance always has one foot (usually the right) in front and one foot (usually the left) in back. Both heels are slightly raised off the floor in order to provide more maneuverability and lend to faster movement and reaction speed. The left heel is raised slightly higher (approximately half an inch from the ground) than the right. The right heel should only be raised enough to slip a single piece of paper between the heel and the floor.To step forward, slide the right (front) foot forward (suriashi), then snap your left foot (rear) back into the kamae position. To step back, merely reverse the process. Move the left foot back first, then immediately snap the right foot back into kamae position.
AyumiashiNormal walking. The differences between walking normally and ayumiyashi is that your toes must be pointed straight and downwards, your feet must glide across the floor, your body must be straight, and your head held high (in tandem with suriashi.Back to Kendo Basics
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