it's all about the greeting
 

I had a thought the other day while I was watching varios freestyles. The nages that openly greeted their ukes seemed to do better throughout the freestyle.

I call a greeting a meeting with openness where nage seems to want to engage with uke instead of fight against their uke.

How do you meet you uke when you are nage?

Re: it's all about the greeting
 

Mary, funny you say that. When I was a fifth kyu I watched a nidan take her test for fukushidoin (a ranking that recognizes a certain level of teaching ability). Her randori was so graceful as she extended her arm to meet her uke I expected her to sprout opera gloves.
The lesson I took away was not only to feel that I "own" the mat but that I am the hostess greeting my guests and inviting them in.

Re: it's all about the greeting
 

I greet uke with arms wide open and a big smile. :)