| Handling a sword effectively takes a significant | | | | become precise and confident in your abilities. But |
| amount of practice and skill. If you are new to | | | | as long as you take your training seriously and |
| the art of sword handling then there are certainly | | | | you are always utilizing safe handling practices, |
| a few safety tips that you should consider before | | | | you will be fighting like a pro in no time. |
| your first fight. They will not only protect you | | | | 1. Do not teach yourself sword art. Even if |
| from harm, but they will also protect your | | | | you’ve purchased the best books and DVDs |
| opponent. So be careful and check out my list of | | | | out there, there are many intricacies that just |
| pointers below. | | | | cannot be learned without one-on-one instruction |
| 1. Do not teach yourself sword art. Even if | | | | from a professional. Even the simplest techniques |
| you’ve purchased the best books and DVDs | | | | require very precise hand movements that should |
| out there, there are many intricacies that just | | | | be demonstrated in person. |
| cannot be learned without one-on-one instruction | | | | 2. If you are planning to practice by cutting soft |
| from a professional. Even the simplest techniques | | | | targets like water jugs or tatami mats, be sure |
| require very precise hand movements that should | | | | to use some common sense. Make sure there is |
| be demonstrated in person. | | | | no one is close enough to be injured if the sword |
| 2. If you are planning to practice by cutting soft | | | | accidentally leaves your hand. Do not cut in their |
| targets like water jugs or tatami mats, be sure | | | | direction and make sure they are at least several |
| to use some common sense. Make sure there is | | | | feet away from you. Also avoid cutting down |
| no one is close enough to be injured if the sword | | | | towards your legs. It’s best if you begin your |
| accidentally leaves your hand. Do not cut in their | | | | practices outdoors in a wide open space. Also |
| direction and make sure they are at least several | | | | make sure that your sword is strong enough to |
| feet away from you. Also avoid cutting down | | | | handle the target you are aiming for. Cheap, lower |
| towards your legs. It’s best if you begin your | | | | quality swords can and will bend and break easily. |
| practices outdoors in a wide open space. Also | | | | 3. Always be very careful when cleaning your |
| make sure that your sword is strong enough to | | | | sword. It’s very sharp and if you are using a |
| handle the target you are aiming for. Cheap, lower | | | | thin rag, the blade can easily slice through the |
| quality swords can and will bend and break easily. | | | | material and cut your hand. |
| 3. Always be very careful when cleaning your | | | | 4. Treat your sword like a serious weapon. Make |
| sword. It’s very sharp and if you are using a | | | | sure that you are storing a safe area where it |
| thin rag, the blade can easily slice through the | | | | cannot be reached by children. It’s best if you |
| material and cut your hand. | | | | can lock it up. Also, do not let others handle your |
| 4. Treat your sword like a serious weapon. Make | | | | sword unless they are taking proper safety |
| sure that you are storing a safe area where it | | | | precautions. Whether it’s an expensive |
| cannot be reached by children. It’s best if you | | | | samurai sword or a cheap metal sword you |
| can lock it up. Also, do not let others handle your | | | | bought off EBay, a sword is not a toy, it’s a |
| sword unless they are taking proper safety | | | | potentially dangerous weapon, so always be |
| precautions. Whether it’s an expensive | | | | careful and take the proper safety precautions. |
| samurai sword or a cheap metal sword you | | | | Learning the art of sword handling is a difficult |
| bought off EBay, a sword is not a toy, it’s a | | | | process. It will take hours and hours before you |
| potentially dangerous weapon, so always be | | | | become precise and confident in your abilities. But |
| careful and take the proper safety precautions. | | | | as long as you take your training seriously and |
| Learning the art of sword handling is a difficult | | | | you are always utilizing safe handling practices, |
| process. It will take hours and hours before you | | | | you will be fighting like a pro in no time. |