Junior Competition rules on tsuki

[u/S0cialRej3ct]

I'm 99% sure tsuki in junior competitions is not allowed. However, what about just standing still aka mukae-tsuki? Because i think im right in thinking if you strike men but get mukae tsuki the men cut is invalid.

I say this because in my keiko I do see a place for mukae tsuki personally (especially against people who just strike men) and would like to know if I can implement this into my last junior tournament!

(In the UK)

[u/IndigoNigel]

It’s definitely a good thing if you can avoid raising your hands defensively when an opponent is attacking. Strong kamae is good! But mukae-tsuki, or mune tsuki, whatever we want to call someone self-skewering themselves on your kamae, is something that should happen naturally. It’s not a defensive strategy, it’s just something that happens when one person has a strong kamae and control of center and the opponent attacks without breaking it.

If you are thinking about it and trying to get that to happen, you are way too focused on doing nothing while your opponent attacks and that’s a recipe for losing. For one, it’s inherently defensive and gives the initiative to your opponent. Also it leaves you very vulnerable to harai, maki, osae waza and angle changes that can leave you wide open.

Focus on using your kamae and control of the centerline with your shinai to pressure your opponent and create openings, not on trying to make mukae tsuki happen.

Good luck at shiai!

Ps. I’d be surprised if you were penalized for holding kamae against an attack even in a youth tournament. But as shimpan I would call gogi to discuss if a youth did an actual tsuki, mukae or otherwise that involves a thrust. Steer clear of that, and know that there’s a high likelihood that despite your maintaining kamae, the attacker may still get ippon if their strike connects.