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Old 09-07-2008, 10:23 AM   #3
Kevin Leavitt
 
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Re: Why isn't this showing Aikido as effective?

Phil,

Wanted to provide you an example instead of simply being negative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dknjl...lated&resnum=3

When you start talking spontaneous and reality, there really is no good way to train it 100% "unknown"

However, this example, which is also scenario based, like the ones in your video is a little more non-compliant and the exact time, distance, line of attack, and the actually attack are unknown.

The High Gear suits also allow for more reality in the attacks, allowing the attacker to pretty much attack without fear of really doing any real damage to the uke.

What happens most of the time in reality is that attackers close distance in a variety of ways, from verbal (socially), to attempting to off balance with mass and multiple attacks or feints in an attempt to disrupt and overwhelm.

The key to it is it is not one linear attack as we typically practice in Aikido, and that is what is shown in your example albeit it is outdoors, in street clothing, with more power and speed.

I think it is key to remember that aikido was designed by the founder not as a system primarily geared towards fighting but refinement of self...you know the party line.

As such, isolated out are many factors that would serve as distractors from the goals of aikido.

It is why many will contend that it is not a "full spectrum" system.

Aikido is the equivilant in the Military as Marksmanship training on the range. It is where you learn the most important parts of using the weapon, posture, balance, breath control, site picture. The basics upon which you base things on. However it is not "combat shooting".

On the range adding speed, noise, targets popping up and down...all start increasing the pressure...yet you are still on the range, with many known factors.

This is what I see in the video you posted.

For a military situation, we would put our soldiers with weapons in scenarios where they have to work with team mates, interact in a more unknown, spontaneous situation to more approximate reality.

I hope this makes sense.

You have to be careful drawing the conclusion that what you see in that video is "more real". Yes, to a degree it is, but still very controlled. If those guys did not put actual "aliveness" into there scenarios, then chance are, the would get into "overload" very quickly once spontaneity and pressure (aliveness) was factored in.

Hope this helps.

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