Eight Cuts – Practice

Immediate Practice

• 10 minutes – X and then + Cutting Pattern
  • Practice cutting the X alone in the right and left hand, 20 reps per side.
  • Practice cutting the cross (+) alone in the right and left hand, 20 reps per side.
  • Bring the two together into the full 8 cut pattern, 20 reps per side.
  • Spend 5 minutes exploring different ways you can cut the X and cross. Try starting with the sword in different places. Try not to repeat any cut in the pattern.
  • In your practice:
    • Keep your edge aligned with the angle of each cut.
    • Connect your arm and body motion.
    • Ensure your cutting path is straight and not curved.
    • Focus on smooth movement before adding speed.
• 10 minutes – Cutting the Pie
  • While standing in place with the sword in your right hand, cut the 8 cuts in this order:
    • Fendente (downward)
    • Mandritto squalembrato (downward right to left)
    • Mandritto tondo (right to left)
    • Mandritto sottano (upward right to left)
    • Montante (upward)
    • Roverso sottano (upward left to right)
    • Roverso tondo (left to right)
    • Roverso squalembrato (downward left to right)
  • Repeat this pattern 10 times.
  • Switch hands and repeat the mirror of the pattern with the sword in your left hand.
• 10 minutes – Cutting while stepping
  • Go back to the X and cross pattern and practice 20 reps in each hand.
  • Ensure that you cut in accord; when you cut from the right, step with your right foot, when you cut from the left, step with your left foot.
  • Make sure your sword moves ahead of your step when you’re moving forward.
  • Practice moving forward and backward in your space.
  • Experiment with different patterns while ensuring you always cut in accord. Alternating between right and left.

Ongoing Practice

• Practice these cutting patterns both with and without movement on a regular basis.
• We recommend using a timer set to one minute intervals. Change patterns every minute.
• Practice pairs of cuts as well as larger sequences.
• Start slowly and smoothly and increase speed with precision.