The uke of atemi

How is training done as uke when using atemi? It would seem to me that taking a blow as uke would be an important part of self defense and practicing genuine atemi as nage seems important also. I am guessing that you WILL get hit in a fight. How is this done?

Taking a blow must be done with the same attitude as regular ukemi, it must be responsive. The blow needs to be absorbed to weaken the effect, although damage will occur. If you are stiff and try to hold firm, the blow will hurt and cause much more severe damage, along with setting yourself up for a flurry of other attacks, but if you are springy and abosrb the attack thorugh your center, your body will move in the direction the attack came from. This is very beneficial as it usually sets up a quick counter-attack. One other thing, keep your tongue in your mouth and imagine you're wearing a mouthgaurd. Nothing sucks more than having your teeth smacked thorugh your tongue, it's like stepping on a thumb tack, it stops you quickly.

So, atemi is exchanged in practice?

we adjust accordingly. The higher the rank, or the more skilled, and/or both, are some of the determining factors. The context of the training is important(what Sensei wishes to teach) and so is being real about it. Yeah, we are not necessarily smacking the crap out of each other, but sometimes maybe we are. Don't you have to "knock" before you "enter" ?

At my dojo, we learn about atemi around day 1. (maybe day 2 ) Atemi during PRACTICE is different from street usage, however.

Take for example a yokomenuchi strike (strike to side of the head) : as the attack is coming in toward the nage, uke also brings their OTHER hand up to block/absorb any possible counter strike. Failing to do this at my dojo can pretty much guarentee missing the atemi and expose how the uke is vulnerable.

Protect yourself at all times! Move your feet and don't expose the family jewels... get your hands up and expect a blow to the head or chest... GET OFF LINE!! ( I know, I know... I'm still working on this one too. )

As for atemi to pressure points on the arms and such, be relaxed and flexable and ready to move. They don't HAVE to hit you hard, but if they hit you right... it doesn't matter that much now does it?

We work in atemi as much as possible. If you are uke attacking with one hand the other hand should be in your center because some of the higher belts will definitely clock you if you fail to protect your center. It's more like a loose fist rap than a full out punch. Some of us who have studied other arts (Jujitsu, Kung Fu, Karate, Kempo, etc.) will throw in a body shot here and there. Again using loose palms and fists. We want our uke to come back to class, but we want to work on our atemi and distraction points. It is very important. The best thing about atemi is you don't have to touch the person, just throw in a feign and the person will react and that's when you take advantage of his flinch, move, or whatever. A big part of Aikido is to use the body's nature reaction.