I was definitely very apprehensive today when it came to approaching my six shiai-geiko matches, and shiai sensei indeed scolded me after for my lack of observation.  Mostly I was afraid of losing to my juniors, which I didn’t do, though I ended up tying them, which is not much better.  Overall, I went 2-1-3, but I need to observe more and not rush in as much, even though it’s shiai.  Keep up the pressure, tone down the attacks…

Meanwhile, Sensei in his overview speech likens kendo to shooting a rifle.  Unclear if this helps me, but the point is that when shooting a rifle, one must line up the wooden stock against something, firmly.  The left leg is like this wooden stock, and must be turned inward to face the opponent, not all pigeon-toed, which would be like lining up the rifle against one’s chest.  Off of that foundation the strikes come out straight.