L. Camejo

Great thread William.

The objectives outlined in the OODA loop are very similar to Tomiki's idea for Aikido using the Kata/Randori paradigm and how the art could be developed into something where direct feedback can be obtained to further ones progress in Aikido technique and principle.

The words used in OODA have parallels in Aikido training as well imho:

Observation - Metsuke / Touch Sensitivity (Total awareness and observation of opponent and surroundings from distance or when physical contact is already made)

Orientation - Kamae (Posture) & Ma ai (Distance)

Decision - Tai Sabaki (Body handling/avoidance in response to attack)

Action - Kuzushi (balance breaking) & Kake (Ending technique e.g. strike, throw, lock or combination)

At least the above is how I see them relating to each other. Interestingly enough there is not a clear one to one distinction between the Aikido elements and the OODA paradigm in my example above, but those are the elements that make up effective Aiki waza even though they tend to blend into one seamless expression of movement.

In our training using the Kata/Randori method we have the following areas that also parallel that of the OODA loop:

Level 1 - Paired kata practice (done slowly and methodically with predefined attack and response - here the OOD elements are already given, as the article by J. Mark Hord stated). - This uses a one step attack.

Level 2 - Kakari Geiko (slow to medium paced free practice without resistance, attacks are random - here the OO elements are partially given as an unknown attack is executed from the ma ai of issoku itto, but there is no testing involved to allow for the loop to restart as there is no resistance / challenge to technique). - This uses a one step attack.

Level 3 - Hiki Tate Geiko (slow to fast paced free practice with some resistance, attacks are random - here only the first O element is given but there is testing involved to allow for the loop to restart and return one to the Observation phase in the event that there is a flaw at some point along the OODA continuum) - This uses continuous, multi-step attacks and defenses.

Level 4 - Randori Geiko (faster-paced free practice with full resistance, attacks are random - here none of the OODA elements are given as there are continuous attacks given and continuous attempts are made to disrupt the OODA loop of ones partner by means that include fakes, deception and other means to mislead ones Observation and other processes). - This uses continuous, multi-step attacks and defenses.

Resistance (or disruption of the OODA loop) in this context means adapting quickly to whatever ones partner offers to short circuit his loop and get off effective technique (using kaeshi waza etc.) by utilizing the principles of adaptation/matching (aiki) trained in the earlier levels.In this practice the OODA loop of each person is constantly stopped by his partner or partners, forcing each other to restart the loop until one person can successfully get all of the elements to work together which will result in effective technique (kake).

For the purpose of this training paradigm, "effective technique" means Aikido waza that is successful in its objective regardless of any attempts by ones partner to thwart that objective. E.g. a strike should strike, a throw should throw, a pin should pin, a lock should lock - without being stopped or countered by ones partner at any point regardless of attempts made to the contrary.

This is the theory that I have been trying to use in our own training. The results have been that students tend to develop very good reflexive OODA abilities to execute effective Aiki waza very early on in the kyu stages for most common attacks that are executed with a non-competitive (i.e. intent to endanger) mindset, even if the opponent attempts to resist their waza once contact is made.

Of course the problem is maintaining safety while increasing the intensity throughout this process. I think a progressive increase in the speed of attacks is necessary to properly train the nervous system and mind-body pathways so that the student develops an increasing ability to perform under duress without losing the fundamentals. The development of timing (an important skill in Aikido) necessitates operating at different speeds to be able to adapt accordingly imho.

Just some thoughts.