Goblins are hard in SS. They change blocking positions faster than your Wii registers your wiimote.
I think everyone ends up with their own method for killing these guys, but personally, I hold the Wiimote up, then swing horizontally.
Also with the lesser goblins, if you can start a swing on them when they start their attack animation, you will hit them. Doesnt work for the tougher enemies in the game though, so I really suggest you rely on this as little as possible.
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"First thing that crosses my mind: I didn't get any GameFAQs Karma yesterday." Math Murderer after getting his appendix removed.