High quality kote utilize deer skin to cover fists and the palms due to its superior tear strength and resistance to perspiration. The men protects the head and is made of a steel cage, leather trim and again, heavily quilted cotton and stitching. The top third of the shinai is the fastest part of the blade, and with a real sword, it is the sharpest and hardest edge. The kiai helps to call the point, startle the opponent and focus energy into the strike. Fumikomi also focuses body movement and its force into the strike as well as setup position for the next strike or maneuver.
General practices concentrate mainly on effort rather than actual points.