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[Rev Dark]

It is both easy and hard.  I will try and put up a series of pics of another cut from start to finish to show how pretty it can be when done properly.
I can walk pretty much anyone through the process of cutting properly once.  The trick is to be able to approach the pell and do it without preamble.  Distance and technique being automatic.  Step to cut without pause.  The pells we were using (plastic barrels) are for the safety of amateurs (or more specifically their blades - and mine as I bring extras for students who don't have their own to use**)  - you can damage a blade on one, but it is much harder - as opposed to the thwock!-Wince!-Oh-oeidpal-gerund-damn! sound when ones expensive blade impacts a wooden post pell.  The nature, size and position of the pells does influence technique (that slight lean is not good form, but necessary to safely cut in this situation - length of blade, depth of target, edge of pell.)
When cutting, especially for the tyros, there is a predisposition to turn the arc of the cut mid stroke, causing the sword to deflect, bind, or in a worst-case scenario, catch and bend.
** There are only a handful of people I let cut with my antique sword, all of whom have demonstrated the proper level of control.