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In rereading some of my entries, I realized that I complained about cold and wet weather (cold's okay, but cold and wet is hell on my injuries), and yesterday I complained about hot weather. Boy am I a grumpy aikidoka when it comes to weather!
Paula Lydon posted an interesting observation on the Aikiweb board:
Quote:
I love my Aikido training, but sometimes I wish my uke would follow through on their attack with multiple strikes if I miss the first timing/movement, or a full choke, etc. I've had years of prior Jujitsu training and our theory was that you'll likely be in a compromised position regarding posture or positioning if attacked and so your 1st response probably wouldn't work (or 2nd and 3rd too, just keep moving!). Chances are you'll get hit, cut, pinned, choked...then what? How to handle a situation where you're already down or half out? I get together with my old Jujitsu buddies from time to time just to romp with what-to-do-when-I-inevitably-screw-up or gee-uke-isn't-politely-waiting-for-me.
Below is part of my response to her -- captured here for posterity.
This is part of our overall philosophy on ukemi. We are taught that uke must continue the attack until he or she hits the mat. We view grabs or strikes as the first part of an attack. If nage does a good job, that's all uke gets. But if nage makes a mistake, then a second punch or reversal can happen.
Let me add some notes of caution:
(1) Be sure nage and uke both agree on this kind of training.
(2) As uke, it is really easy to get stuck in a mindset of foiling technique and getting a second strike, or reversal on nage. On the surface, this can be a good thing, but uke has an advantae because he knows what the technique will be and can plan where he'll expose an opening. Frustration for nage occurs quickly after that. Remember that uke is nage's teacher, and wants to teach nage the technique demonstrated by the instructor. So, each attack should be made in a sincere and focused manner (regardless of speed), and as though uke has no clue what's coming.
(3) Sometimes I'll feel as though I can do a reversal, I'll get it started, nage will notice, and he'll try to reverse my reversal. The end result is a pretty ugly wrestling match. Where I train, we often realize very quickly what's happening and stop immediately. What happens is that nage has an opening, but it's not big enough for uke to really exploit. Recognize this as soon as possible and avoid the wrestling match. That way, ego doesn't get involved as much. It is enough that nage couldn't do the prescribed technique.
(4) Don't do this all the time! Often as uke, we'll take the fall, and then get up and say something like, "I kind of dived for you that time. I felt you were open right here. . ." (and go on to demonstrate). Another thing to do is to simply stop ukemi if there's an opening, point it out, allow nage to readjust, and then continue the throw. This way, the technique is kept real, and nage can learn the little adjustments necessary to make a technique work.
It can be tough to not let one's own ego get too wrapped up in this kind of training. As nage I make sure to thank uke when he or she points out a flaw in my technique -- even when I'm irritated. As uke, I work hard (most of the time) to avoid thinking that my finding openings in nage's technique makes me somehow a superior aikidoka.
06-26-2003 08:53 AM 