Worked on some of the test review for two students.
Josh Sensei taught today's class and we did a more "street" oriented class today since there were no mats.
We worked off the principal idea that someones going to come at you and throw a few Jabs to set you up for the Roundhouse punch or "power punch" that's coming. This was done where the Uke throws several jabs at Nage's face to set them up for the big hit. As Uke throws the jabs Nage merely makes contact with the jab to make sure it doesn't hit them and does not slap it away to create a new situation. The contact is merely to judge and not focus to heavily on the jab. After a few jabs the roundhouse punch comes. As soon as Nage sees them wind up for this punch the Irimi in and the arm on the same side of the Roundhouse shoots in to make contact with Uke's inner elbow and collapse carryover this strike to get their back facing Nage. As this arm is carried over the other arm makes contact and holds it down while the carry-over arm delivers an elbow strike to the nose and breaks their nose. Then you Tenkan around to their open side and deliver a cross arm strike to the groin or inner thigh area and continue walking past them. This was a really great technique for a sudden fast encounter with someone who is trying to fight with you.
The second technique we worked on was again wit ha jab intro but instead of waiting for the big hit from Uke, Nage stays connected with their Jab and as soon as they throw it you make contact with it on the top of their fist and as they retract their jab, in a real situation someone would not want to leave their hand with you so they will withdraw it, you step forward and use your energy to push their arm into them. Now they have several options left, none of which are very favorable for them. We practiced with them throwing a punch with their back arm. As Uke throws the second punch you move your elbow up and carry over this punch with the initial arm you used to make contact with their jab. As you carry it over you put them into a Sankyo and then drop it to a two finger Kubitori lock. You pull this down into your armpit as if you were putting a Gokyu lock on their wrist but instead have their 2 or 3 fingers in the lock. As you break those fingers you stretch through their face with the other arm and cause them to loose balance and fall back and you deliver the final strike with your other arm which should release the hand after breaking the fingers.
This was a great blending of Aikido and a lot of Jujitsu and street defense for today's class. Really enjoyed getting a look at other aspects of the art.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Reversals and Grappling
Worked on reversals:
Reversal from a Sankyo, as they are placing the lock you continue your arm along the circle it creates with your body and pull your arm down as your grab onto their wrist and apply a counter lock of Nikyu, Gokyu etc. <explain more>
Reversal from a ski to kotagaeshi to kotagaeshi, as punch comes in they counter with kotagaeshi and as they Tenkan around for hte lock you jump around the circle and place you foot next to theirs and Tenkan to use their momentum against them and apply your own tenkan. Need to remember Tenkan, Irimi across and Tenkan again to stay on the circle and not get clocked in the head when they whip around.
Counter Shihonage to Kaitenage(check if right name). As the lock for Shihonage is being applied, which they are sliding across your back you extend your arm forward and untwist it. As you do this your other arm pulls their head to your locked arm shoulder and Tenkan around them. You other arm entwines with theirs to keep their arm down and connected to you while you Tenkan and then raise that arm up as they face you and drop them with Kaitenage.
GRAPPLING ON THE GROUND. When you are knocked to the ground or trip etc. you raise your legs up a bit and lean back to keep maximum distance from the attacker. Using your legs like hands you keep contact with heit knees or thighs as they approach you. use this to push them away and keep contanct on their arms with yours. This will allow you to stretch them out and apply a lock hold like Gokyu or others.
Reversal from a Sankyo, as they are placing the lock you continue your arm along the circle it creates with your body and pull your arm down as your grab onto their wrist and apply a counter lock of Nikyu, Gokyu etc. <explain more>
Reversal from a ski to kotagaeshi to kotagaeshi, as punch comes in they counter with kotagaeshi and as they Tenkan around for hte lock you jump around the circle and place you foot next to theirs and Tenkan to use their momentum against them and apply your own tenkan. Need to remember Tenkan, Irimi across and Tenkan again to stay on the circle and not get clocked in the head when they whip around.
Counter Shihonage to Kaitenage(check if right name). As the lock for Shihonage is being applied, which they are sliding across your back you extend your arm forward and untwist it. As you do this your other arm pulls their head to your locked arm shoulder and Tenkan around them. You other arm entwines with theirs to keep their arm down and connected to you while you Tenkan and then raise that arm up as they face you and drop them with Kaitenage.
GRAPPLING ON THE GROUND. When you are knocked to the ground or trip etc. you raise your legs up a bit and lean back to keep maximum distance from the attacker. Using your legs like hands you keep contact with heit knees or thighs as they approach you. use this to push them away and keep contanct on their arms with yours. This will allow you to stretch them out and apply a lock hold like Gokyu or others.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Advanced Transition Techniques
Small class today so we worked on more advanced lock transitions.
Starting from a Shoman Strike we went into a Nikyu . As the Shoman strike comes in it is important to perform a Tenkan to keep your distance from Uke and not get bowled over by the strike. Your arm closest to their striking arm should be used a a wedge to allow the strike to slide past you as your outer hand comes around during your Tenkan and over the top of their arm as it slides down your other arm acting as a wedge. As it passes down your inner arm the outer arm grasps onto their striking qrist and allows it to continue in a circular motion. As the strike comes down you continue it around feed it into your inner arms hand where you will then apply the Nikyu and place your outer arm on their elbow to keep it bent as you apply the Nikyu by bending their wrist up and over towards their center. It's important to keep your feet at a stable position and make sure to lean into their center with your center and your bend the wrist in.
After the Nikyu we transitioned into Sankyu. With the hand applying the Nikyu you untwist your wrist so that your thumb it pointing upwards instead of horizontally. This will bend their so that their palm is outwards and will allow for your arm that was resting on their elbow to come under their arm and grab on for the Sankyu grip. When transitioning from Nikyu it's important to make this fast and not allow them any time to recover and stand up against you. When you have the grip with your other hand the initial one can press their fingers out and towards the back of their hand to raise them up so you can apply the Sankyu.
Once you have them turning from the Sankyu make sure to keep their elbow elevated so they can't reverse on you with an elbow. You can now use your free hand that was bending the fingers to apply pressure to their ribs while you continue the lock their hand to your chest and turn into their center to apply the Sankyu.
The next transition was into a Gokyu. Whilst turning them you take your free hand and put your hand around their elbow. Next you just draw their arm down towards you and lock their elbow under your elbow. As you are drawing their arm down your gripping hand slides up to their wrist and your other hand helps lock their wrist into Gokyu.
The last transition was into a toss(cant remember name). After the Gokyu you whip their wrist out and around to your other side. This will spin them off-balance and as they turn around to face you and are off-balanced you grab their upper arm as you step through them and toss them to their back side where they have no balance.
Starting from a Shoman Strike we went into a Nikyu . As the Shoman strike comes in it is important to perform a Tenkan to keep your distance from Uke and not get bowled over by the strike. Your arm closest to their striking arm should be used a a wedge to allow the strike to slide past you as your outer hand comes around during your Tenkan and over the top of their arm as it slides down your other arm acting as a wedge. As it passes down your inner arm the outer arm grasps onto their striking qrist and allows it to continue in a circular motion. As the strike comes down you continue it around feed it into your inner arms hand where you will then apply the Nikyu and place your outer arm on their elbow to keep it bent as you apply the Nikyu by bending their wrist up and over towards their center. It's important to keep your feet at a stable position and make sure to lean into their center with your center and your bend the wrist in.
After the Nikyu we transitioned into Sankyu. With the hand applying the Nikyu you untwist your wrist so that your thumb it pointing upwards instead of horizontally. This will bend their so that their palm is outwards and will allow for your arm that was resting on their elbow to come under their arm and grab on for the Sankyu grip. When transitioning from Nikyu it's important to make this fast and not allow them any time to recover and stand up against you. When you have the grip with your other hand the initial one can press their fingers out and towards the back of their hand to raise them up so you can apply the Sankyu.
Once you have them turning from the Sankyu make sure to keep their elbow elevated so they can't reverse on you with an elbow. You can now use your free hand that was bending the fingers to apply pressure to their ribs while you continue the lock their hand to your chest and turn into their center to apply the Sankyu.
The next transition was into a Gokyu. Whilst turning them you take your free hand and put your hand around their elbow. Next you just draw their arm down towards you and lock their elbow under your elbow. As you are drawing their arm down your gripping hand slides up to their wrist and your other hand helps lock their wrist into Gokyu.
The last transition was into a toss(cant remember name). After the Gokyu you whip their wrist out and around to your other side. This will spin them off-balance and as they turn around to face you and are off-balanced you grab their upper arm as you step through them and toss them to their back side where they have no balance.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Worked on knee walking
Worked on blending technique, from shoman strike and making a touch from the same side arm to redirect the arm and the other to make a wedge to let it pass
Then we worked on a shoman strike to a shoulder drop. As you let the shoman strike pass by you irimi past them and then perform a tenkan whilst pulling them down by the shoulder before they plant their foot. The arm creating the wedge should hook onto their shoulder of the striking arm and then your outer hand hooks the other shoulder and pulls them into the hole you create as you tenkan around.
Worked on clock styled randori
Worked on blending technique, from shoman strike and making a touch from the same side arm to redirect the arm and the other to make a wedge to let it pass
Then we worked on a shoman strike to a shoulder drop. As you let the shoman strike pass by you irimi past them and then perform a tenkan whilst pulling them down by the shoulder before they plant their foot. The arm creating the wedge should hook onto their shoulder of the striking arm and then your outer hand hooks the other shoulder and pulls them into the hole you create as you tenkan around.
Worked on clock styled randori
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
More Advanced Technique
Worked on a grab to the collar, as the grab comes in you direct their hand to your hand with your same side hand and the other hand grabs two fingers as you Tenkan around and bend the fingers in to their center to push them down. Then as they go down you draw them back up and rotate under their arm and apply Shihonage or Kotagaeshi lock to drop them....
NExt was a double slash strike from a knife holder. After the first strike you Irimi in and strike them to the face, capture the knife arm and tenkan around and apply Kotagaeshi....
More on randori,...
NExt was a double slash strike from a knife holder. After the first strike you Irimi in and strike them to the face, capture the knife arm and tenkan around and apply Kotagaeshi....
More on randori,...
Monday, April 22, 2013
Blending from Push and Hame Handashi
Worked on a push to the chest and blending with their movement. While blending your arms come up between theirs and split their arms outward and bring one down to the ground while you kneel down facing the way they came from whilst bringing their hand to the mat and putting them into a roll
Hame handashi from a shoman strike while in kneeling stance. Then as the strike comes you tenkan and put them into kotagaeshi
Hame handashi from a shoman strike while in kneeling stance. Then as the strike comes you tenkan and put them into kotagaeshi
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
Combat Stick Defense
Worked on blending and carry-over with a stick attack.
From a Yokoman strike your arm on the side of the stick attack goes to their arm and is placed on the inside of their forearm while your other arm sweeps up under their elbow and carries the attack over into a Sankyo or other tech. It's important to catch the Yokoman strike before it build too much momentum, as well as not stopping its trajectory, rather redirecting it up and over with your outer forearm to allow their momentum to carry them through and you lock them up in the Sankyo.
From Shomanuchi with sticks you put your arm on the cross side (right arm for a right arm strike) as a wedge straight up with a bit of an angle to allow the strike to slide across your arm and past you. As it slides you Tenkan around and put your other arm as it comes around and slide it down their forearm until you reach their wrist and secure the Kotagaeshi grip. Once you get this grip then you Tenkan again around their wrist and apply the Kotagaeshi lock.
With randori today I was still a bit excitable and sped up when the attacks were approaching me rather than staying relaxed and moving with them. This got me a bit out of breath and prevented me from staying soft in my techniques and being rigid. I remembered to move with Tenkans backwards which helped a bit but still tired out from doing too many speed bursts and loosing my cool. Need to work on this more.
From a Yokoman strike your arm on the side of the stick attack goes to their arm and is placed on the inside of their forearm while your other arm sweeps up under their elbow and carries the attack over into a Sankyo or other tech. It's important to catch the Yokoman strike before it build too much momentum, as well as not stopping its trajectory, rather redirecting it up and over with your outer forearm to allow their momentum to carry them through and you lock them up in the Sankyo.
From Shomanuchi with sticks you put your arm on the cross side (right arm for a right arm strike) as a wedge straight up with a bit of an angle to allow the strike to slide across your arm and past you. As it slides you Tenkan around and put your other arm as it comes around and slide it down their forearm until you reach their wrist and secure the Kotagaeshi grip. Once you get this grip then you Tenkan again around their wrist and apply the Kotagaeshi lock.
With randori today I was still a bit excitable and sped up when the attacks were approaching me rather than staying relaxed and moving with them. This got me a bit out of breath and prevented me from staying soft in my techniques and being rigid. I remembered to move with Tenkans backwards which helped a bit but still tired out from doing too many speed bursts and loosing my cool. Need to work on this more.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Weapons Knife and Stick
Worked with stick counters, and knife disarm.
From a Yokoman strike with the stick we did a carry over and as the arm comes around you roll your arm over their locking it under your armpit and with the other arm hold their hand on the stick and apply Nikyu by pressing the other stick end into their wrist and down their center.
Knife Menutsuke strike and it comes in Nage blends with it and Tenkan's around the strike allowing it to pass whilst rotating it in your hand as your elbow goes over their arm locking it under your arm pit as you are now facing the same direction as them. You should have them locked up in Gokyu as your remove the knife and deliver a strike to their head and use the connection to their neck to turn them so they are facing away from you and apply Kotagaeshi and a Tsumiyotosh strike with the knife to the middle of their forearm to launch them.
The next attack was Yokoman with a knife where the first strike misses and they coem wit ha secodn strike. As the second strike comes you carry their strike over directing it towards them and slicing through their ribs whilst applying a Sankyo. From Sankyo you can use the knife to draw them down by stepping in front of them and
From a Yokoman strike with the stick we did a carry over and as the arm comes around you roll your arm over their locking it under your armpit and with the other arm hold their hand on the stick and apply Nikyu by pressing the other stick end into their wrist and down their center.
Knife Menutsuke strike and it comes in Nage blends with it and Tenkan's around the strike allowing it to pass whilst rotating it in your hand as your elbow goes over their arm locking it under your arm pit as you are now facing the same direction as them. You should have them locked up in Gokyu as your remove the knife and deliver a strike to their head and use the connection to their neck to turn them so they are facing away from you and apply Kotagaeshi and a Tsumiyotosh strike with the knife to the middle of their forearm to launch them.
The next attack was Yokoman with a knife where the first strike misses and they coem wit ha secodn strike. As the second strike comes you carry their strike over directing it towards them and slicing through their ribs whilst applying a Sankyo. From Sankyo you can use the knife to draw them down by stepping in front of them and
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Leading and Ushiro Te-Kubitori Variations
Worked on leading today. When Uke comes in for a grab Nage leads them by moving with their pace and turns to draw them in and around but not allowing them to grab on.
Using this method we practiced several techniques with this. When they grab on you can step forward into them and deliver a forearm strike to their face whilst drawing their grabbing arm out and down to knock them off their balance. It's very important to lead Uke's strike and move slightly to draw them off their intended course.
Next we practiced a double grab when Uke tries to grab your from one wrist and then grab you by the other wrist from behind. As they grab the first wrist you allow them to see your other wrist to go for it. But as they run behind you to grab the other one you must keep the grabbed wrist in front of you and draw it up to your face in front of you as you keep the other arm low allowing them to try and grab on as you turn. When they grab the other arm your first wrist should be above your head but in front of you whilst your other one is bent in towards your center in an "unbendable arm motion". This allows you to break their hold and apply several locks and drops on them.
Using this method we practiced several techniques with this. When they grab on you can step forward into them and deliver a forearm strike to their face whilst drawing their grabbing arm out and down to knock them off their balance. It's very important to lead Uke's strike and move slightly to draw them off their intended course.
Next we practiced a double grab when Uke tries to grab your from one wrist and then grab you by the other wrist from behind. As they grab the first wrist you allow them to see your other wrist to go for it. But as they run behind you to grab the other one you must keep the grabbed wrist in front of you and draw it up to your face in front of you as you keep the other arm low allowing them to try and grab on as you turn. When they grab the other arm your first wrist should be above your head but in front of you whilst your other one is bent in towards your center in an "unbendable arm motion". This allows you to break their hold and apply several locks and drops on them.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Orange Belt Test
Orange belt test, did warm up stretches, Tenkan, Irimi and Tenkan Kata, Ukemi Kata all the way through front falls.
Remember that front falls start with hands up in front of you not near the ground. Need to kick feet out as your upper body approaches the ground and land with your forearms, head tilted to the side and legs split a bit landing on toes.
Demonstrated Shomanuchi Sankyo and had to demonstrate several ways to take down Uke from a Sankyo. When in Sankyo they can either be extended down into a roll or taken down by stepping forward and directing them down and out into the hole you create for their center. My entry was decent but I need to work on blending with the Shoman strike a bit softer and not clash so much. This will allow their energy to pass through better and set up for an easier Sankyo.
Demonstrated Shomanuchi Shomanate, which relies heavily on a good entry. As soon as Uke's foot steps up to move in for the strike you should be moving in to catch them before they place their foot down. When entering blend their strike with your inner arm to go past your head as your outer arm proceeds straight to their throat and up through their chin to the back of their head. As your un-bendable arm pushes through their face you turn them down to the ground and finish directing their energy up and down behind them.
Demonstrated Menutsuki Kotagaeshi, with an emphasis on NOT catching their punch but rather allowing it to pass through and blending on top of their arm as you Tenkan around it and draw them forward more by adding a bit of your own energy to off-balance them and turn them around. Whilst they are turning it's important to apply the Kotagaeshi before they place their swinging foot to the ground and regain their balance.
Demonstrated Katatedori Shihonage, which was from a cross grab. When the grab happens another punch is usually coming or some form of attack from the other hand so it's important to immediately turn the wrist to generate some movement. As this happens your fingers should form a blade and rotate to the inside of their wrist and land on top of their arm and press into them. You then either step across them leading their grabbing hand forward and placing them next to you facing the same way and you Tenkan around and apply the Shihonage. Stepping across their front side (Irimi motion) is the Omote version and instead of stepping across their front side, if you instead Tenkan around them keeping their arm in contact with your side and back and you apply the lock this is the Ura (inside version).
Demonstrated Shomenuchi Kaitenage, which involved blending with the strike and bringing their arm around their back and keeping it at your waist level. Your outer arm rests on the back of their neck to keep them bent over. Rotating their arm over and across their spine to the other arm allows you to perform the launching motion of this strike. When you blend the strike it's important to cut it down fast and allow their energy to pass through in order to lock in their off-balance and set them up for the launch. Once they are positioned an Irimi through them will launch them whilst another Tenkan will launch them behind you. This was a tough technique for me with the cutting motion of getting them to bend over and lose balance whilst locking their arm between your thumb and pointer as you cut it down. I practiced it a lot and was more comfortable doing it in the test.
Demonstrated Shomenuchi Tenchinage from a static and moving situation. When they hold on statically you bring your hands together and rotate them like bicycle pedals in a circular motion to generate motion. Depending on which side you feel them leaning you draw that hand down whilst the other arm brings them up and behind their head. This allows you to rotate your body and turn them down to the ground in a corkscrew motion. From a moving situation as they come in to grab you step back a bit to draw them forward and using the same sense of feeling you draw one hand down and the other up to their face and behind them as your corkscrew them to the ground.
Randori, need to work on being lighter and entering in before the attack has too much force behind it. Need to relax and not use Sankyo so much with multiple attackers, try Kotagaeshi or something faster like Shomanate.
Was tested, unbeknownst to me, with the Blue belt techniques as well and got my blue belt and skipped Orange because of my prior knowledge and experience from my last dojo showing that I was ready to progress past Orange. Great exam and lots of fun. Had to work hard to get my Blue Belt!!
Demonstrated Shomanuchi Shomanate, which relies heavily on a good entry. As soon as Uke's foot steps up to move in for the strike you should be moving in to catch them before they place their foot down. When entering blend their strike with your inner arm to go past your head as your outer arm proceeds straight to their throat and up through their chin to the back of their head. As your un-bendable arm pushes through their face you turn them down to the ground and finish directing their energy up and down behind them.
Demonstrated Menutsuki Kotagaeshi, with an emphasis on NOT catching their punch but rather allowing it to pass through and blending on top of their arm as you Tenkan around it and draw them forward more by adding a bit of your own energy to off-balance them and turn them around. Whilst they are turning it's important to apply the Kotagaeshi before they place their swinging foot to the ground and regain their balance.
Demonstrated Katatedori Shihonage, which was from a cross grab. When the grab happens another punch is usually coming or some form of attack from the other hand so it's important to immediately turn the wrist to generate some movement. As this happens your fingers should form a blade and rotate to the inside of their wrist and land on top of their arm and press into them. You then either step across them leading their grabbing hand forward and placing them next to you facing the same way and you Tenkan around and apply the Shihonage. Stepping across their front side (Irimi motion) is the Omote version and instead of stepping across their front side, if you instead Tenkan around them keeping their arm in contact with your side and back and you apply the lock this is the Ura (inside version).
Demonstrated Shomenuchi Kaitenage, which involved blending with the strike and bringing their arm around their back and keeping it at your waist level. Your outer arm rests on the back of their neck to keep them bent over. Rotating their arm over and across their spine to the other arm allows you to perform the launching motion of this strike. When you blend the strike it's important to cut it down fast and allow their energy to pass through in order to lock in their off-balance and set them up for the launch. Once they are positioned an Irimi through them will launch them whilst another Tenkan will launch them behind you. This was a tough technique for me with the cutting motion of getting them to bend over and lose balance whilst locking their arm between your thumb and pointer as you cut it down. I practiced it a lot and was more comfortable doing it in the test.
Demonstrated Shomenuchi Tenchinage from a static and moving situation. When they hold on statically you bring your hands together and rotate them like bicycle pedals in a circular motion to generate motion. Depending on which side you feel them leaning you draw that hand down whilst the other arm brings them up and behind their head. This allows you to rotate your body and turn them down to the ground in a corkscrew motion. From a moving situation as they come in to grab you step back a bit to draw them forward and using the same sense of feeling you draw one hand down and the other up to their face and behind them as your corkscrew them to the ground.
Randori, need to work on being lighter and entering in before the attack has too much force behind it. Need to relax and not use Sankyo so much with multiple attackers, try Kotagaeshi or something faster like Shomanate.
Was tested, unbeknownst to me, with the Blue belt techniques as well and got my blue belt and skipped Orange because of my prior knowledge and experience from my last dojo showing that I was ready to progress past Orange. Great exam and lots of fun. Had to work hard to get my Blue Belt!!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Orange Belt Test Review
Reviewed the Happo No Undo (8-directions), ukemi kata through the entire exercise, the Tenkan and Irimi forms, and the wrist stretches.
For the yellow belt test for one student Sensei Josh went over the three techniques: Shomenuchi Shomanate, Shomenuchi Sankyo and Menutsuki Kotagaeshi.
Went over Katatadori Tenchinage (Heaven and Earth) from a static and dynamic attack. From static you rotate your arms that Uke has grabbed at the wrists in a circle like pedaling a bike to create movement. Then one hand goes up and around the back of Uke's head whilst the other draws the down and your upper hand goes around them and you Irimi through them to bring them down. This is a great fast counter to direct Uke's energy down and into the ground.
Went over Shomenuchi Kaitenage. This one gave me a bit of trouble tonight. Have to remember the arm that makes initial contact with the Shomenuchi strike is merely there to make contact whilst the outer arm hooks over the top of their arm at the elbow and draws them down pushing a bit in towards their center and drawing their arm around and up whilst the closer arm presses down on their neck allowing you to then project them by rotating their arm across their back and spine. It's important to keep their captured arm low and near their waist. If you bring their arm too high they will regain control. You can then step around them with a Tenkan for the Ura(to the back side or around) version or step straight across them to project for the Omote (to the front side) version.
Overall, was a great class and Josh Sensei really helped us to review for the belt exam, as well as Shihan at the end of class too.
For the yellow belt test for one student Sensei Josh went over the three techniques: Shomenuchi Shomanate, Shomenuchi Sankyo and Menutsuki Kotagaeshi.
Went over Katatadori Tenchinage (Heaven and Earth) from a static and dynamic attack. From static you rotate your arms that Uke has grabbed at the wrists in a circle like pedaling a bike to create movement. Then one hand goes up and around the back of Uke's head whilst the other draws the down and your upper hand goes around them and you Irimi through them to bring them down. This is a great fast counter to direct Uke's energy down and into the ground.
Went over Shomenuchi Kaitenage. This one gave me a bit of trouble tonight. Have to remember the arm that makes initial contact with the Shomenuchi strike is merely there to make contact whilst the outer arm hooks over the top of their arm at the elbow and draws them down pushing a bit in towards their center and drawing their arm around and up whilst the closer arm presses down on their neck allowing you to then project them by rotating their arm across their back and spine. It's important to keep their captured arm low and near their waist. If you bring their arm too high they will regain control. You can then step around them with a Tenkan for the Ura(to the back side or around) version or step straight across them to project for the Omote (to the front side) version.
Overall, was a great class and Josh Sensei really helped us to review for the belt exam, as well as Shihan at the end of class too.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Orange Belt Review
Shomenuchi Sankyo, Ski kotagaeshi, Katatadori Shihonage, Shomenuchi Kaitenage, Shomenuchi Shomenate, Katatadori Tenchinage and Shomenuchi Tsumiyotoshi, Randori with weapons.
The yellow belt test consists of first three techniques and orange will have the last three for me. Actually the Tsumiyotoshi isn't actually part of the test but we practiced it so that's fine too.
Went over the Tenkan and Irimi forms, as well as Happa No Undo (8-Directions).
Did Ukemi form to completion, front falls from kneeling, standing then break fall roll on back with rotating hips... elaborate
Worked Shomenuchi Sankyo, need to work on being softer when entering in and drawing in the attack down and around and I rotate under their arm and remember the atemi to the ribs
Ski Kotagaeshi, remembered to enter in and let the atemi come past me and tried not to catch it, which I still did a few times. Overall I tried to remember to draw the attack along and as they turn around do another Tenkan as I rotate the wrist keeping it in the same place and using it for hte pivot point.
Katatadori Shihonage, remember to mimic a wave in the ocean, rising and falling. For Shihonage around the front, you Irimi in front of them and should extend them out a bit allowing you to capture their hand after rotating yours out of their grip and holding the wrist lie ka sword twist them rotating and moving their wrist, rather than accomodating them and moving yourself. THiswill add th necessary towrque to the lock. Shihonage aroudn the back from a grab again you bend your wrist so your palm is facing you and you wrap aroudn the top of their arm and establish the sword hilt grab of their wrist and then tenkan around their backside, keeping their arm low and connected to your body (NO SPACE BETWEEN YOU) and making sure on entering to step next to their foot.
Shomenuchi Shomenate, making sure to step into the attack and defelct it whilst keeping the "unbendable arm" as you push past their throat up to the face and turn to your center to bring them down. Very fast and effective when close to Uke.
Shomenuchi Kaitenage, from the Shomenuchi you one hand blends the strike down, and the other hand quickly cuts their arm down and around their back making sure to keep it at your waist, whilst resting your other hand on the back of their head or neck allowing you to keep them down. Then by rotating their spine by putting their arm over their back you put them int othe toss by stepping throug hthem wit hthe foot closest to them.
Katatadori Tenchinage,
The yellow belt test consists of first three techniques and orange will have the last three for me. Actually the Tsumiyotoshi isn't actually part of the test but we practiced it so that's fine too.
Went over the Tenkan and Irimi forms, as well as Happa No Undo (8-Directions).
Did Ukemi form to completion, front falls from kneeling, standing then break fall roll on back with rotating hips... elaborate
Worked Shomenuchi Sankyo, need to work on being softer when entering in and drawing in the attack down and around and I rotate under their arm and remember the atemi to the ribs
Ski Kotagaeshi, remembered to enter in and let the atemi come past me and tried not to catch it, which I still did a few times. Overall I tried to remember to draw the attack along and as they turn around do another Tenkan as I rotate the wrist keeping it in the same place and using it for hte pivot point.
Katatadori Shihonage, remember to mimic a wave in the ocean, rising and falling. For Shihonage around the front, you Irimi in front of them and should extend them out a bit allowing you to capture their hand after rotating yours out of their grip and holding the wrist lie ka sword twist them rotating and moving their wrist, rather than accomodating them and moving yourself. THiswill add th necessary towrque to the lock. Shihonage aroudn the back from a grab again you bend your wrist so your palm is facing you and you wrap aroudn the top of their arm and establish the sword hilt grab of their wrist and then tenkan around their backside, keeping their arm low and connected to your body (NO SPACE BETWEEN YOU) and making sure on entering to step next to their foot.
Shomenuchi Shomenate, making sure to step into the attack and defelct it whilst keeping the "unbendable arm" as you push past their throat up to the face and turn to your center to bring them down. Very fast and effective when close to Uke.
Shomenuchi Kaitenage, from the Shomenuchi you one hand blends the strike down, and the other hand quickly cuts their arm down and around their back making sure to keep it at your waist, whilst resting your other hand on the back of their head or neck allowing you to keep them down. Then by rotating their spine by putting their arm over their back you put them int othe toss by stepping throug hthem wit hthe foot closest to them.
Katatadori Tenchinage,
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Ski Nikyo Kotagaeshi, Ski Sankyo, and Sumi-Otoshi
Worked on Ski to Nikyo, then a Kotagaeshi. From the Ski you Tenkan around it and allow their hands energy to carry forward as you blend on top of their strike then swing it around to your other hand and the initial hand that as on their arm goes to their elbow and helps to apply the Nikyo. Then you pull them back up after a backhand to the face, to make sure they don't regain balance this is done by snapping the inner hand at their face, and put them into a Kotagaeshi and dump them to the floor. This is done in case another attacker comes from behind, rather than finishing with Nikyo and keeping them grounded, you spin them around into Kotagaeshi and use them to get between you and the other potential attacker. This was a bit confusing at first for me with the switching of the hand. Once you draw them around you continue their arm around and feed it to your other hand which secures their hand to your chest/shoulder area and allows to lock in the Nikyo. The other arm stays on the inside of their arm at the elbow to keep it bent and allow for Nikyo to do its thing. Then this inner hand can be used to initiate the snap strike to the face and switch to Kotagaeshi in a short time and apply the new lock and drop them to the ground.
Next was Ski to Sankyo, then into a "bow and arrow" lock when you slide down to their two fingers from Sankyo and as they are turning, get them into a finger lock while maintaining the pressure and pain on the lock so they can't counter and then dumping them to the ground with a strike to the face while holding fingers. After the strike comes and you've blended it to the side, you continue under their arm and deliver an elbow strike to their ribs as you lock in the Sankyo. Make sure to keep their arm bent up and not allow their elbow to be much lower than their shoulder blade other wise they can counter it or reverse with an elbow strike to the face. Once you have the Sankyo as they are on their toes you drop your grip down to their index and middle finger to establish a new lock and bend their fingers back over their hand whilst rotating their arm down so that their elbow is now down by their waist and locked up under their hand. You can then use this lock to drop them by striking with that hand into their face. Both the pressure from the lock and the strike will take them down.
Last technique was Sumi-Otoshi (Corner Throw) where the Ski strike comes in and as you Tenkan you place your arm on their striking arm as they flow past and push them into the hole behind them that they have created. As they strike their motion will take them in a big circle around you when you correctly execute the Tenkan and blend with their strike. Instead of waiting for them to come around, as they are turning and have one foot in the air this is where you connect to their arm on the upper bicep and take a deep step through them over this shoulder and send them into a side roll at the hole behind them where their balance is non-existent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56EuOjRiJpI (Sumi-Otoshi video, not the same method in class but still cool!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGOtPXAPYx0 (Sumi-Otoshi video, same execution motion as in class)
Next was Ski to Sankyo, then into a "bow and arrow" lock when you slide down to their two fingers from Sankyo and as they are turning, get them into a finger lock while maintaining the pressure and pain on the lock so they can't counter and then dumping them to the ground with a strike to the face while holding fingers. After the strike comes and you've blended it to the side, you continue under their arm and deliver an elbow strike to their ribs as you lock in the Sankyo. Make sure to keep their arm bent up and not allow their elbow to be much lower than their shoulder blade other wise they can counter it or reverse with an elbow strike to the face. Once you have the Sankyo as they are on their toes you drop your grip down to their index and middle finger to establish a new lock and bend their fingers back over their hand whilst rotating their arm down so that their elbow is now down by their waist and locked up under their hand. You can then use this lock to drop them by striking with that hand into their face. Both the pressure from the lock and the strike will take them down.
Last technique was Sumi-Otoshi (Corner Throw) where the Ski strike comes in and as you Tenkan you place your arm on their striking arm as they flow past and push them into the hole behind them that they have created. As they strike their motion will take them in a big circle around you when you correctly execute the Tenkan and blend with their strike. Instead of waiting for them to come around, as they are turning and have one foot in the air this is where you connect to their arm on the upper bicep and take a deep step through them over this shoulder and send them into a side roll at the hole behind them where their balance is non-existent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56EuOjRiJpI (Sumi-Otoshi video, not the same method in class but still cool!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGOtPXAPYx0 (Sumi-Otoshi video, same execution motion as in class)
Friday, February 1, 2013
Menutsuki Shihonage and Kata Review
We had a new student today. It's always nice to see new people coming in for training.
Went over Ukemi Kata and Happo No Undo. Again, the Ukemi kata is three back slap outs from laying on your back, then from a sitting position with the addition of three to the left and right side, next from a crouched position 3 back left and right, and finally standing 3 back left and right. The second half involves a front break fall. This is done from crouching. Your forearms should land where your feet where and you kick your feet out and land on your toes like a push-up position. You will land on your toes and your forearms with your face turned to the left or right as you breath out. This is done 3 times from crouching and then from a standing position. The last part of the Ukemi-kata laying back in the break fall position with one leg in and the other out with the toes on the ground and the same side arm out while the other covers your mid-section. Then you roll onto your upper back and switch positioning as if you took a break fall on the other side. You do this several times switching from left to right side. That completes the full Ukemi-kata.
Worked on Menutsuki Shihonage. When punch comes in from Uke, Nage performs a Tenkan and allows their punch to go through, rather than trying to stop it. As they go through you connect and whip them around as your other arm comes through from behind their arm and locks it up into Shihonage. Making sure not to stand back up with them and give them back their center. This somewhat skips the normal method or rotating under their arm as it skims along your back since you can just switch with your other hand as they whip around and get the same effect.
Randori today was done with Shomenuchi strikes and Katatdori grabs. I need to work on being softer and not waiting so long for the attack to get to me but rather to enter in as they prepare to attack and blend softer with the incoming strikes.
Went over Ukemi Kata and Happo No Undo. Again, the Ukemi kata is three back slap outs from laying on your back, then from a sitting position with the addition of three to the left and right side, next from a crouched position 3 back left and right, and finally standing 3 back left and right. The second half involves a front break fall. This is done from crouching. Your forearms should land where your feet where and you kick your feet out and land on your toes like a push-up position. You will land on your toes and your forearms with your face turned to the left or right as you breath out. This is done 3 times from crouching and then from a standing position. The last part of the Ukemi-kata laying back in the break fall position with one leg in and the other out with the toes on the ground and the same side arm out while the other covers your mid-section. Then you roll onto your upper back and switch positioning as if you took a break fall on the other side. You do this several times switching from left to right side. That completes the full Ukemi-kata.
Worked on Menutsuki Shihonage. When punch comes in from Uke, Nage performs a Tenkan and allows their punch to go through, rather than trying to stop it. As they go through you connect and whip them around as your other arm comes through from behind their arm and locks it up into Shihonage. Making sure not to stand back up with them and give them back their center. This somewhat skips the normal method or rotating under their arm as it skims along your back since you can just switch with your other hand as they whip around and get the same effect.
Randori today was done with Shomenuchi strikes and Katatdori grabs. I need to work on being softer and not waiting so long for the attack to get to me but rather to enter in as they prepare to attack and blend softer with the incoming strikes.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Sword (Bokken) Work
Did some work with swords today. Worked on a regular Shomen strike across the mat one way and then back. After you swing you pull it back in a "water shed" motion to the side of your body opposite your stepping foot and then continue the swing. An important pointer to remember with the sword is that you always hold it with your left hand on the bottom of the hilt and the right hand above the left. The swinging motion shouldn't be stiff, but rather relaxed as if casting a fishing line out. The tip of the sword is where your energy should flow from with each strike and the last 6 inches is what does the cutting. Never try to cut with the sword like a "butchers blade".
Then we did 8-directions (Happo No Undo) motion with the sword strikes which didn't take too long to get used to. It was the same motion as any other strike and if you just think of it as a Shomen barehand strike it's essentially the same. The only difference is to remember which way to draw the sword back so that you do not clash with the foot you are stepping forward with.
Worked on Randori with freestyle self defense today. I enjoy these because it is a nice benchmark test to see how you are coming along flowing naturally with strikes from an attacker. I enjoy the Randori's with a specific attack for that session but it's always more fun to have to read the attack and then react accordingly. There's not too much to say about these other than it's a great way to learn to stay relaxed in a stressful situation. I still need to work on moving more and allowing myself to stay calm and not tense up. I was very rigid and rather than blending with Uke's attacks I was fighting with their energy rather than working with it.
Then we did 8-directions (Happo No Undo) motion with the sword strikes which didn't take too long to get used to. It was the same motion as any other strike and if you just think of it as a Shomen barehand strike it's essentially the same. The only difference is to remember which way to draw the sword back so that you do not clash with the foot you are stepping forward with.
Worked on Randori with freestyle self defense today. I enjoy these because it is a nice benchmark test to see how you are coming along flowing naturally with strikes from an attacker. I enjoy the Randori's with a specific attack for that session but it's always more fun to have to read the attack and then react accordingly. There's not too much to say about these other than it's a great way to learn to stay relaxed in a stressful situation. I still need to work on moving more and allowing myself to stay calm and not tense up. I was very rigid and rather than blending with Uke's attacks I was fighting with their energy rather than working with it.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Multiple Attackers
Worked multiple attacker techniques. First one was wih two attackers coming at you from each side. Both Shomenuchi atacks. One counter is Shomenuchi Kotagaeshi and the second attacked was countered with Shomenati (blending the attacking hand while extending your outer arm as an "unbendable" arm along their throat (can be an atemi) and past their chin to the face causing them to fall back.
Second attack was with three people. This was a bit mroe difficult. I rtied engaging at all three attackers in different orders to see which ended up being the most comfortable. Attackign the first one to the left was the more natural method of defense for me. The right was the second most natural and the second best choice for me. The one i nthe middle I tried countering with a Shomenate but it did not work out too well the first time as I was too slow to engage the Uke. Ultimately, the objective was to counter one with Kotagaeshi, Sankyo and Shomenate.
The last technique was with two people holding on. First from a stationary position. You need ot feel for where their energy is going and find the weak seam in it to push your center against and twist them out of the grip and their balance. After breaking one persons grip, a Tenkan or turn towards your center could break their grip or help place them into a multitude of different grips.
Last up was a freestyle self-defense. Sensei called out several attacks and we reversed with whatever came naturally to us. I enjoy this one a lot because rather than thinking "I have to counter this with that" you do what comes natural and can judge a bit more accurately on how you are coming along. Great class today as usual!!
Second attack was with three people. This was a bit mroe difficult. I rtied engaging at all three attackers in different orders to see which ended up being the most comfortable. Attackign the first one to the left was the more natural method of defense for me. The right was the second most natural and the second best choice for me. The one i nthe middle I tried countering with a Shomenate but it did not work out too well the first time as I was too slow to engage the Uke. Ultimately, the objective was to counter one with Kotagaeshi, Sankyo and Shomenate.
The last technique was with two people holding on. First from a stationary position. You need ot feel for where their energy is going and find the weak seam in it to push your center against and twist them out of the grip and their balance. After breaking one persons grip, a Tenkan or turn towards your center could break their grip or help place them into a multitude of different grips.
Last up was a freestyle self-defense. Sensei called out several attacks and we reversed with whatever came naturally to us. I enjoy this one a lot because rather than thinking "I have to counter this with that" you do what comes natural and can judge a bit more accurately on how you are coming along. Great class today as usual!!
Monday, January 7, 2013
Some Aiki-Jujitsu
Today's class was a bit more Aiki-Jujitsu focused with some great applications.
First we worked a bit on rolls and strikes. Did some line drills to work on proper atemi striking and posture.
First technique was from a Shomenuchi strike. As Uke comes in for the strike Nage blends past it to their back side with the closer hand hooking on to their shoulder as Nage does a Tenkan and places the other hand on the other shoulder. Nage should now be mirroring Uke in stance. The first hand that made contact to hook onto their shoulder should be redirecting them into the hole behind them you have created and you perform another Tenkan to get out of the way of Uke as they fall into the hole behind them. The motion for bringing them down is as if you where shaking out a shirt. A whip/wave motion downwards as you Tenkan will continue the off-balanced Uke to the ground.
Next technique was from a Menutsuki strike to the abdomen. As the strike comes in Nage deflects it past them and is now facing Uke's arm. The free arm goes to Uke's back of their head and feeds their head down to your other arm and that arm turns their arm down to spin them. This turns Uke's head into Nage's arm which locks around their neck for a drop. As their head is drawn into the hold Nage kneels down into the knee closest to Uke and drops them into a front roll (or a hard drop to the ground in real life). The whipping motion is key to this and sets it up for the most part when done right.
The randori exercise involved one person on one end of the mats and three attacks on the other end. The three Uke's charge at Nage and he has to get past them to the other side of the mats. This was a good exercise for a situation where you have several people grouping up to come and attack you all at once and you have to get past or deal with them.
First we worked a bit on rolls and strikes. Did some line drills to work on proper atemi striking and posture.
First technique was from a Shomenuchi strike. As Uke comes in for the strike Nage blends past it to their back side with the closer hand hooking on to their shoulder as Nage does a Tenkan and places the other hand on the other shoulder. Nage should now be mirroring Uke in stance. The first hand that made contact to hook onto their shoulder should be redirecting them into the hole behind them you have created and you perform another Tenkan to get out of the way of Uke as they fall into the hole behind them. The motion for bringing them down is as if you where shaking out a shirt. A whip/wave motion downwards as you Tenkan will continue the off-balanced Uke to the ground.
Next technique was from a Menutsuki strike to the abdomen. As the strike comes in Nage deflects it past them and is now facing Uke's arm. The free arm goes to Uke's back of their head and feeds their head down to your other arm and that arm turns their arm down to spin them. This turns Uke's head into Nage's arm which locks around their neck for a drop. As their head is drawn into the hold Nage kneels down into the knee closest to Uke and drops them into a front roll (or a hard drop to the ground in real life). The whipping motion is key to this and sets it up for the most part when done right.
The randori exercise involved one person on one end of the mats and three attacks on the other end. The three Uke's charge at Nage and he has to get past them to the other side of the mats. This was a good exercise for a situation where you have several people grouping up to come and attack you all at once and you have to get past or deal with them.
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