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<blockquote data-quote="Lord Pendragon" data-source="post: 2108774" data-attributes="member: 707">I'm not sure aikido is the best example to prove your point here.&nbsp; I haven't practiced it myself, but having seen it and had friends who practiced it.&nbsp; Isn't aikido mostly an art of joint-locks and holds/throws?&nbsp; Not quite the best martial art to demonstrate the recovery time of strikes and blows...Indeed, in kendo you don't strike from over the shoulder or behind the back.&nbsp; The blade starts directly overhead and strikes forward.I just wanted point out here that although I believe that the speed of sword blows stems from the strength of the combatant, I do agree with your assertion that applied strength is not the issue.&nbsp; But having that strength, that muscle mass, is what allows a swordsman to have a faster and more accurate attack.You've also mentioned the relaxation and recovery time required in swordfighting, which I also want to agree with.&nbsp; A kendo strike is not like swinging a bat at a baseball.&nbsp; It requires a swift strike, with an immediate release of strength directly after the strike connects.&nbsp; Not a constant applied force.So while I still believe that strength rather than dexterity is the source of the speed and power of a swordstroke, I do want to go on record that all of the methodology you've been mentioning in your posts is, as far as my lesser experience is concerned, spot on.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Lord Pendragon, post: 2108774, member: 707"] I'm not sure aikido is the best example to prove your point here. I haven't practiced it myself, but having seen it and had friends who practiced it. Isn't aikido mostly an art of joint-locks and holds/throws? Not quite the best martial art to demonstrate the recovery time of strikes and blows...Indeed, in kendo you don't strike from over the shoulder or behind the back. The blade starts directly overhead and strikes forward. I just wanted point out here that although I believe that the speed of sword blows stems from the strength of the combatant, I do agree with your assertion that [i]applied strength[/i] is not the issue. But having that strength, that muscle mass, is what allows a swordsman to have a faster and more accurate attack. You've also mentioned the relaxation and recovery time required in swordfighting, which I also want to agree with. A kendo strike is not like swinging a bat at a baseball. It requires a swift strike, with an immediate [i]release[/i] of strength directly after the strike connects. Not a constant applied force. So while I still believe that [i]strength[/i] rather than [i]dexterity[/i] is the source of the speed and power of a swordstroke, I do want to go on record that all of the methodology you've been mentioning in your posts is, as far as my lesser experience is concerned, spot on. [/QUOTE]

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