Game Making By Soki Abe (Translated)

 

Context:

• 71st Kanto Student Kendo Championship (2022)
• Team match Finals Tsukuba University vs. Nippon Taiiku University (Nippon Sport Science University)
• Team Match Final, 3rd match (Chuken), Soki Abe vs. Tomonari Nishiguchi
• Current Match Score, 1-0 Tsukuba University Lead
• Current Point Score, 3-1 Tsukuba University Lead
• Full Team Match link: https://youtu.be/LwdUdOzIsGU

Translation:

• (0:05) Video analyasis of player Soki Abe, who made a strong performance in carrying out his role in a team match
• (0:11-0:22) Facing against player Nishiguchi, who starts off with an aggressive approach and executes various waza early on.
• (0:26-0:32) while accumulating blows in response to each others waza, both players are in the midst of observing each other’s conditions.
• (0:36-0:47) Player Abe is closes in while probing his opponent with his kensaki, judging that Nichiguchi does not respond by coming in, Abe executes with a Men-feint-Kote while connect it with another Kote
• (0:48) On a side note, this was the same waza that was scored on player Takenouchi’s Kote in the All Japan Championship of 2021.
• (0:54) This choice of waza is one that aims for a Yuukoudatotsu (valid strike) with lower risks.
• (0:57-1:01) Because Nishiguchi is slight backing away while obersving the opponent, Abe probes while coming in big.
• (1:07) In response to Abe’s aggressive closing, Nishiguchi attempts a Hiki Kote. Connecting it with a Men-feint-Kote as Abe further closes the distance.
• (1:16) As Abe attempts to break Nishiguchi’s form in Tsubazeriai, Nishigushi immediately recovers in a form where he is able to strike back.
• (1:38-1:55) This time Abe smoothly closes the distance. Nishiguchi takes a back-and-forth rhythm. At the same rhythm, Abe takes the opportunity to Seme in small increments as Nishiguchi steps back.
• (1:56) The bout finishes with a definitive Kaeshi-Do by Abe against Nishiguchi’s Men.
• (2:11) The second bout starts with Nishiguchi attempting to take back the point.
• (2:15) Abe threatens Nishiguchi in response, making Nishiguchi cautious of his Kote and thus sealing Nishiguchi’s attempts.
• (2:30) Nishiguchi then actively applies more pressure and attempts to strike.
• (2:46) This time Abe observes the situation while pushing down Nichiguchi’s shinai.
• (2:54) Despite Nishiguchi’s overwhelming pressure, it is impressive that Abe is not fazed and does not bring up his hands in defense or breaks form.
• (3:04) In this stalemate, Nishiguchi attempts a Tsuki. Although this was an opportunity, Abe avoided it as there was plenty of distance apart.
• (3:13) Abe uses his Kensen while actively Seme’s in, but never deep enough to that he gets into the opponent’s striking distance.
• (3:20-3:24) Although there is no need to take risks as the Tsukuba team is winning. It is impressive how Abe is keeping the defensive while still having the courage to move forward.
• (3:30-3:34) Abe throws a shallow Kote and attempts to bait his Men, aiming for a Tebana Kote. This is similar to his Kote-Kote in the early stage of the match but with adjusted timing.
• (4:06) These few interactions of Abe’s quick counter responses and killing the opponents momentum despite Nishiguchi’s aggressive advances. It feels like each interaction shows Abe’s attempts to connect them towards a valid strike.
• (4:54) While Nishiguchi shows that his center of gravity is leaning forward, Abe execute a big Harai to his Shinai and comes in, making Nishiguchi raise his hands.
• (5:00-5:16)Abe performs a Harai-Men-Feint-Kote. Nishiguchi attempts to counter with a Kote-Kaeshi-Men. Abe connects another Kote again as Nishiguchi guards himself. Nishiguchi further responds with another Kote-Kaeshi-Men. This exchange of Waza is very impressive.
• (5:26) As Abe probes in, Nishiguchi makes a big advance but Abe cuts him off by distancing himself.
• (5:32) Right as Abe is about to start probing in again, Nishiguchi provokes Abe and aims for a Men at the timing right after Abe lowers his hand guard down.
• (5:41) The adjustments made with seme and distancing before executing waza gives the opportunity to strike
• (5:45) Taking the valid strike and scoring where he could
• (5:48) His performance in Shiai gave a strong impression similar to that of a high-level craftsman

 

 

Personal Thoughts:

 

Although a team match in kendo consists of 3-7 individual matches against 2 groups, it is important to understand that there is an element of teamwork involved. As the results of the earlier matches will affect how each individual should play in the later matches, understanding the psychology behind that can be key to bring a higher chance of succession for the whole team.

Soki Abe, who is in the 3rd position in a 7-person team match, is starting his match with favorable conditions as his team is leading with 1 win and 2 points. Therefore, his duty is to keep his team in the lead if not to widen the lead further. He does this exceedingly so with good distance control and trying his best to only execute low-risk & high-reward techniques.

On a fundamental level, understanding that Nishiguchi’s position is to recapture the lead from Abe. Nishiguchi will always try to close in the distance first and attempt to score with more offensive techniques (Shikake-Waza). Abe counters this well by constantly probing Nishiguchi and baiting him in for a strike so that Abe can counter, which ultimately rewarded him a point in scoring a Kaeshi-Do. Also, in every instance. Abe constantly maintains a distance in which he feels the most control and never to close that may be a risky position for him to do what he wants.

Additionally, whenever Nishiguchi tries to advance aggressively to create an opening. Abe minimizes his risks by either quickly distancing himself away or closes in with shallow counters, never allowing Nishiguchi to be in a situation where it may be favorable for him to strike. This can be a very frustrating situation where if one cannot keep their composure, it may gradually become even harder to find an opportunity.

I have always found it hard to play “on the defensive” as it counter-intuitively makes me create more vulnerabilities on myself. This was a very insightful video to watch how Abe controls the flow of the match. Despite his position, he was still able to create opportunities by exploiting the opponents behavior. On the other hand, I wonder how one would approach Nishiguchi’s position while facing against an opponent like Abe.

Thanks for reading! I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.