randori

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[kienergy1234]

i have never done randori or full on sparing , to do these things do you need to be a black belt or is it at any time
thanks,josh

[Hrvoje]

I guess it might depend on the style you train, but i dont think you need to be black belt.At my dojo we've recently started doing randori and jiyuwaza every lesson for a large portion of it. we have maybe 2-3 yudansha training in every class, so i think the bigger factor is that you dont have as many beginners(ungraded aikidoka)? we didnt do so much randori up until a few months ago because there were alot of beginners who couldnt ukemi properly etc..but we've always done jiyuwaza for at least part of it? talk to your sensei about it, perhaps you should request him/her to let you try randori? mines always keen and asks us every so often what we would like to do....hope my rambling's helped somewhat!

[Jordan Steele]

No, you don't need to be a blackbelt to do randori. The colour of the belt around the waist is only as good as the guy/girl wearing it. Being a blackbelt will obviously mean a wider variety of techniques, but anybody can do randori regardless of level. A lot depends on the person and how they handle stressful situations. Some people canj ust do it and others need to ease into it. However there is also the matter of ukemi...you shouldn't be doing randori unless you're prepared to be on the receiving end and that usually takes time, but again it all depends on the person. I know many great aikidoists, but when put under stress they fall apart.

[SeiserL]

i have never done randori or full on sparing , to do these things do you need to be a black belt or is it at any time

IMHO, there are no universal guidelines about randori (or anything for that matter). Check with your Sempai or Sensei.

[kienergy1234]

i have been taking aikikai aikido for 3 months i wonder if that is long enough to ask sensei if i could try randori

[Shane Mokry]

Joshua,

We spend alot of time doing randori in our dojo. I think that anyone can randori. Even those that have limited ukemi. If everyone is practicing very slowly and always completing all their movements I think the sooner the better. I randori with my daughter now. She is 8 years old and really only knows around 4 techniques but she knows how to take ukemi from thousands. Just go slow. Very very slow.

Shane

[maikerus]

Another thought is to ask senior (or maybe just more senior) students to help you after/before class. They'd probably get alot out of it too.

[xuzen]

i have been taking aikikai aikido for 3 months i wonder if that is long enough to ask sensei if i could try randori

Hi ya Josh,

You can certainly take randori once you feel you can take ukemi. No harm in doing randori, start 'em early I'd say. Do it at the level you are comfortable with and build from there.

Cheers mate,
Boon.

[jester]

You can start Randori exercises your first day of class. It might help you loosen up and be able to move better.