Uke on their Front/back

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[Ketsan]

Is there any significance in the fact that Aikido techniques tend towards placing uke on their front whereas other arts tend to place uke on their back?

[odudog]

Yes, it is easier to finish them off when they are on their stomach.

[Stefan Stenudd]

That's a very interesting question, and I doubt that there is an obvious easy answer.
My impression is that when uke is on his or her back, uke can use the arms and the legs to continue resistance. That is much more difficult when lying on one's belly.

[Voitokas]

Isn't the emphasis in many arts to end with uke on their back presumably dead? That would be a difference...

[ChrisHein]

Pinning someone face down is the superior way to pin. They can't kick you, punch you, bite you, etc etc.

Every style would like to pin face down, but most people being pined will fight it.