You've just started your sword class and you're so jazzed about it that you want to spend every free moment training to improve your techniques. Training outside the dojo can be difficult with lots of unexpected challenges. Here are a few tips to keep your techniques moving forward while keeping you out of hot water with your mom, wife, your neighbors and the community at large. Though training outside the dojo has some advantages and many disadvantages, here are some things you might think about before you start swinging away at home.

First of all, practice makes permanent. Only practice those things you are sure of. That way your instructor won't have to undo your mistaken recollection of technique. Second, only use a good wooden sword. Fifteen years ago I developed a special 'Bokto' (finely tuned wooden sword) specificly designed for refinement training. It's longer than the cheap $15.00 red oak bokken, has extra weight and has an articulated grip. Thirdly, training in swordsmanship is rational logic. If you think there might be a problem with the environment, time or place that you want to train...don't do it. It's as simple as that. The vast majority of people generally don't care what you do so long as it doesn't interfere with their space or damage any property in the process. It's also equally difficult to explain to your instructor or your wife that the chip in your sword came from hitting a light fixture in your living room. Of course neither will be very understanding. Your instructor should be more displeased because it shows lack of good judgement on your part. And it will most likely cost more than the price of your sword to get the chip polished out. Of course on the other hand if the lamp or article you hit was your wife's family heirloom or another of her 'favorite little things', you could be in for a lot of nights on the couch, in the dog house.

Indoor training places like a garage or even a covered carport work very well providing the ceiling height is sufficient. Most adults need to have about 9-10 feet of ceiling height. People well over six feet tall will need an additional foot or more if they use a long sword. Think of what the dojo is like; open space with nothing to interfere with you or the swords movement.

Training outside in your back yard is good, especially if there is a fence around the yard. Yet there are natural obstacles that aren't present in the dojo. Like, perhaps you have a dog...need I say more? Again, remove obstacles, especially those under foot. Even if you don't have a dog, grass and an uneven earthen surface could cause you to loose your step, stub your toe or contribute to loose footing. I do recommend cross-training on alternative surfaces once you have a good grasp of footwork and balance. Remember still though, when 'Beginners' train in grass their footwork lands much harder on the surface than an intermediate or advanced person. You'll likely wear a bare spot in the grass where your feet land on the surface. Training on a bare dirt patch will also have you looking like the cartoon character 'Pig Pen' for all the dust and sweat you put into your training.

Training in your front yard isn't any better because swords in daytime attract a lot of attention and at night it just plain scares people. In every case you must always be aware of someone walking into your 'swing field'. You don't want your neighbors calling the police on you because there's some nut swinging a sword near the street. Even people driving by are going to notice. Drivers not watching where they are driving are more dangerous that most people with a sword. If you are unfortunate enough to have a visit from the local constable, they will likely greet you with their friends Mr. Smith and Wesson and very clear stern words of disfavor. If that happens, move the sword to the ground very slowly while smiling congenially and saying hello in a pleasant voice. Do exactly as they say slowly but immediately. Be passive and don't provoke them, it won't go well if you do. It will also ease the situation if you are using a wooden sword. I always recommend you keep a business card from your sword instructor or dojo on you to show if anyone happens to question that what you're doing is safe and is an organized activity. Main point here is 'don't be stupid'. If you are training in a bonafied school, your professionalism, sincerity and good will should be apparent.

Yet many people don't have spaces like we've mentioned. Training in parks or even out in the woods can also draw similar unwanted attention. Remember that it's government land and the public has full access. If you do go to the woods, get enough off the main trail area enough to get privacy so not to attract unwanted attention and yet not so far off the beaten track that you get lost. Any needless incident you get into could cost you valuable class time and your training partners will miss you when you're gone.

If you're training at home, say for example in your living room or bedroom, there are numerous techniques you can practice by not moving at all. Here are some suggestions:

1. Stand with your feet together and bent at the waist with the tip of the sword on the floor to check your grip and the feel of the handle in your hands.
2. Standing in stance to check your form of the upper, middle, and lower positions.
3. Practice the flourish (chiburi - clearing action).
4. Practice the sheathing action (Noto); first and second catch to the close.

Plus, most bedrooms have big mirrors in from of the closet. If you have zero room around the area you're standing in, you can hold your hands together in a sword grip position while moving through the various positions. This will help you to remember body postures of the basic positions and patterns until you get back to class. You can even do some light movement training without doing the full positions. Again, it helps to get pattern familiarity. You can also do overhead swing drills if you use a wakizashi length wooded sword or a Bokken that you've cut down to near the handle. This is very helpful for general details of grip training and swing-line practice.

For Advanced training we offer our students special weighted training bars that add a great conditioning aspect to all the movements you do in the space you have to work with. Moving slowly with these builds good muscle memory, strength and improves conditioning.

If you are lucky enough to have vaulted ceilings in your house you can clear an area of approximately ten feet from side to side and front to back. This should give plenty of training space if you stay in the center of the circle. Many kata take you out of that small an area, yet once again, training at home is all about compromise.

In closing, remember that each and every one of us have responsibility for creating a positive future for the sword arts in America. Safe and happy training!

Russell McCartney Founder and Chief Instructor IYR and Peak Performance Sword Systems