Speed
Walking Sword,
First, it is policy on E-budo to sign the end of your posts with your full name. You can use the signature tool to preconfigure a signature for you.
I am not sure if your post belongs in this thread, perhaps you should start a new thread on your particular topic.
As you are here, I will give you my impressions, whatever they are worth.
Speed is a tricky thing in combat. Often if you move with lot of speed you tend to not move smoothly. This produces a lot of extra movement (up down, left right, etc.) that sets off the motor reflexes in your opponent due to the functions of peripheral vision. We sense motion using the edges of our vision, a wonderful defense mechanism. So, more speed may not be your answer, but rather more relaxed and fluid motion.
This is one of the reasons beginners are taught not to bounce up and down in their kata movements, among many others.
When grabbing your opponent, did you reach out with an arm and grab, leaving a lot of space, or did you move in with your body and allow your hand to contact them, (taking up space, hiding your intention, and causing less jumpy speed). If I reach for you, you can react. If I slide up to you with smooth level motion and then grab you when my hand contacts your body, your chances of reacting are reduced. I am not saying this is fool proof, but you might want to work on it.
Just my opinions and experiences, it has worked for me.
However, I would suggest moving this to a new thread for future discussion. It will decrease confusion.
Glenn R. Manry
Glenn R. Manry
---Iaijutsu, don't forget the doorman.