Using "Kiai" as you hit

[The Bayer Hunter]

Not screaming or yelling, but a controlled and focused martial arts-like verbal exclamation. Who thinks it's important in fencing to do this as you hit, or after? Why?

[Jeff Harman]

Well, I kinda like the audio track at a womens' tennis tourny but as for fencing, I would just as soon you keep it to your self, at least until the final hit. My .02

[Stryder]

Using your voice gives you back the energy you spent earning the touch. Energy much needed in competition.
Don't over do it though. Remember you celebrate "all out" only when you win your last bout or score your last touch.

Don't push it to happen. If you don't want to vocalize then it probably won't help you. That said, a large number of successful coaches encourage their students to yell. I only do so if they express an interest in it, of if I feel they specifically need more energy or passion.

[This message has been edited by Stryder (edited 04-11-2001).]

[d8m2k]

There are many reasons to make noise/celebrate when/after you hit. Just like martial arts it can help you focus, relax your body. It can pump your energy level up, it can demoralize your opponent, it can even influence the ref. It can have negative effects like getting your opponents energy level up.

Some people are vocal, some aren't. Personal opinions about what others should do, don't really apply.

That said, most of the top international competitors vocalize/celebrate when they score.

[mango fever]

[This message has been edited by mango fever (edited 04-11-2001).]

[Gabriel]

it's retarded. in 90% of all circumstamces, if you're a good fencer, you won't have to blurt things out.

[Stryder]

Gabriel do you speak from experience?
I didn't think so.

If yelling is retarded, then why do all top athletes in all sports do it?

Yelling ignites your energy. If you are 1000 times better than your opponent, then you won't need energy. Otherwise...

[Peach]

It can be genuinely annoying to many people. This is not necessarily a bad thing. There are times when I would prefer my opponent to be annoyed. I don't yell in order to annoy, though. I yell because that's what happens. Sometimes when my opponents yell odd things, I start to giggle. This is also annoying to my opponent.

[arcon]

[ 10-19-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[Peach]

Depends on what they are yelling. If it's "Stop that! You moron! Go away!" or the names of all the Supreme Court Justices in alphabetical order, I can see how it might be annoying.

[ladybug]

I don't yell myself, but I've been told that yelling, or making any sound at the end of the attack is helpfull in that it forces you to exhale. You'd be surprised at how many people get so caught up in the attack that they forget to breathe. As for listing the names of the Supreme Court Justices, one of the other sabre fencers and I sometimes play "random association" as we practice our simuls. On every action someone has to shout out an association. Sounds silly, but its alot of fun!!!!

[Peach]

Forgetting to breathe is no surprise to me, because I do it all the time. I like the idea of shouting associations - that would help some of our sabre fencers learn to relax and I bet it's funny as all get-out.

[foiled again]

While typically outspoken off the strip, I'm not a big fan of yelling during the bout. I have no problem with people grunting or other sounds of exertion but saying est la on every touch is not my thing. Esp. in epee where there is little ability to influence the director. I control my energy levels silently during the bout when needed - typically self-admonishment whether its deserved or not.

fa

[Arturo]

When ever I am absolutely sure that I got the touch (i.e a disengage, or a nice counter riposte flick)I yell. Usually Et-la! or the woah-pa! The funny thing is when I start the yell and realize that I missed or got parried, and that sounds more like this et-laaa noooo!!! woah-pa Nooooo!!!


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[chilli]

I just can't seem to have a yell that I own. Others have something they typically yell, but all I have is a disconcerting grunt that comes out. It sounds like I need medication. That said, I understand about focusing and releasing energy, but it all seems a bit contrived to me.
Guess I am just jealous of those that sound so "cool and focused" and are able to blurt out just that perfect little tidbit, and I sound like a neanderthal.

[thebigriddle]

Actually it is ki-ia. Ki in most martial arts it is your spirit which enters the weapon. When you kill, it is the spirit that kills.

[The Bayer Hunter]

Originally posted by thebigriddle:
Actually it is ki-ia. Ki in most martial arts it is your spirit which enters the weapon. When you kill, it is the spirit that kills.

Actually "The Big Riddle", you are wrong, it is ki-ai, two Japanese characters that mean energy/spirit and gathering. In Japanese, it literally means just that, a gathering of your energy or spirit, which you let out verbally in sport or a martial art. It has nothing to do with killing or swords.

It's sad that the real meaning of non-English words get so corrupted when native-English speakers start using them incorrectly, especially when they don't know the difference.

Just my two yen.

[thebigriddle]

Well tell that to my kendo instructor then....and my iaido instructor. Sorry I didn't study Japanese, but I will ask my iai instructor, he also teaches Japanese.

[thebigriddle]

Oh, it is not "The Big Riddle", it is thebigriddle, smartass......

[cutthroatbob]

Hey dude, understand what you mean ki. Yeah putting the spirit in your fencing, sounds cool. Killing with the spirit, right on. Just like the video games, man. Hey Bayer Hunter chill out. I never knew anyone who hunted aspirin. Later, dude.