AIKIDO
Aikidon pääsivu
Kokemuksia
Secrets of Throwing and Being Thrown

Nina Ylitalo

Ukemi from nage's point of view: uke creates the technique

The key to aikido technique is interaction between nage and uke. Finding the direction and power that uke is using will aid to find flowing timing and when that is found you know already when a throw is at its best.

If you are early uke do not follow and if late the attacking power is lost. When the timing is right the technique will work as well.

When timing is unsynchronized when compared to uke's movements you can not move him/her without quite huge efforts. Shomenuchi ikkyo is quite good example of that. As long as you try to move when uke's striking hand is already coming dowm you are late and will risk your face. Another problem cause by a later timing is that both of your powers will strike together. It hearts if hands will bump against each other so you will know if you are late. Immediately when the timing is exactly right uke's and nage's movement energy will merge and will make the technique soft and fluent almost by itself.

"It is equally important to wait than to strike!". While waiting a free space to cross the street people may burst against traffic and risk their valuable life just because couldn't wati a few seconds for a right moment.

Ukemi from uke's point of view: to move out of danger

Uke's role is not to resist in all possible occasions but to go with the flow to seek new opportunities to continue the attack. Therefore he/she needs ukemi.

It's not always easy to make an ukemi

In kaiten nage ura uke may find him/herself flowing to tatami back and buttocks first. Sometime ukemi is left halfways and sometimes when nage get's a lot of speed into it uke flies in the air like a cat trying to turn over and land controlled. It is an easy job for any cut but not for humans. Landing may be very unstylish when tatami felt to be on wrong height. It might be "too high" and the head clunks against it or "too low" and a sideway flight suddenly ends.

Shihonagessa nage may throw you in a way that uke needs to make a tobikoshi ukemi over his/her shoulder. Then you can try this:
1. Whennage is turning below your arm, go into the movement and bring your own elbow by your side and bend your loin sideways. By doing this you will get ahead of nage's movement and get time to prepare yourself. Additionally you will unlock the wristlock a bit and can make the ukemi without being forced to do it.
2. When nage has turned and will start throwing, get really close to nage, almost on his/her skin. By doing this you can lightly lean on nage and feel safely. Light the weight on you feet by leaning your upper body close to tatami and start rolling over your center. Now you will go to ukemi on low and need just a small ukemi.

"Old man's ukemi" is another possibility and can be done when nage is using light lock so ask for it to try! When nage is beginning to throw step a long step backwards close to nage's body. Aim to move ahead of nage's movement. Roll to tatami like you would be starting an ushiro ukemi, but instead of rolling over just sit and roll on your back. Hit the tatami with your arm and use the force of hitting so you can use the falling movement to raise.

It is quite important to keep your shoulder relaxed when doing a shihonage ukemi. It releases the tension quite often part of ukemi and it also prevents nage to get the most out of the wrist lock.

Seek for an nage that you trust and with whom you can practice ukemi peacefully. Fast ukemi is learned by practicing it slowly first!