We were working with Yokomen Uchi recently and the value of interrupting the attack was really revealing itself. It seems like intercepting very strongly is shocking to the attacker and contributes to a momentary loss of focus; beginning of kuzushi. Shihonage Ni (that's our tenkan variety) flows really nicely off that. I almost hate to say it- if you bang them pretty hard. We know it's coming, so nobody's getting punched.
I'm wondering if this is being taught elsewhere, or maybe other Aikidoka have noticed something similar in free practice?
This is the entry:
http://orkoid.chez.com/yokomen_uchi_shiho_nage_ura.gif Probably similar to your's.