Aikido Technique of the Week

Turns out that there was a goof-up last week, and I described a different technique than I named...I will correct that this week.

So...

Hand Technique
Katate Aya Junte-mochi Taitenkan Tegatana-kirikomi Kokyu-nage - A
Cross Wrist Straight Grasp Body Shift Strike-in Breath-throw

• Shite offers hand for cross wrist straight grasp, Uke grabs
  
• Shite executes a 180-degree pivot, then a cross-step-in 180-degree pivot, bringing Uke around
  
• Shite cross-steps in and body changes, raising up as if for front-strike, taking Uke off balance
  
• Shite shuffle-steps in, cutting down to throw Uke forward
  
• Zanshin with both arms forward, palms down
  

Weapon Technique
Kumitachi: Ju no Kumitachi Dai-roku yori Dai-hachi
Bokken with Partner, Ten Cuts, #6-#8

• For all three, Uke raises up after Shite's signal, then shuffle-steps in for a front-strike to the waist
  
• #6: Shite signal for front-strike, evade Uke's strike, circling over the right shoulder, cross-stepping to the left, then shuffle-in front-strike to the head
  
• #7: Shite signal for front-strike, evade Uke's strike, circling over the left shoulder, shuffle-stepping to the right, then shuffle-in front-strike to the head
  
• #8: Shite signal for front-strike, shuffle-back slightly back and offline, ducking bokken under Uke's strike, then shuffle-in wrist cut
  

Basic Movement
Irimi-nage Zanshin
Step-in Throw Final Form
From Kamae: shuffle-step in low, back hand turning palm down at about belt level, front hand curving over like for step-in throw and down almost to the other hand, palm facing to the side.

Breakfall
Hiki-ashi Koho Ukemi Ni
Step-back Back Breakfall #2

• Start standing upright, feet together, hands at sides
  
• Lean back off balance, as if thrown back, letting hands raise up and out to chest level
  
• When balance is gone, step back with left leg, sit down back breakfall with hitting, come back to standing
  
• Repeat, stepping back with right leg this time
  
• Turn to the right
  
• Rinse, repeat all steps above
  
• Note: Keep chin tucked in
  
• Note: Kick out with legs, arch back up slighly (don't fold at the waist)
  

I know I repeated the breakfall from last week, but I need to practice it more. :)

Aikido Technique of the Week

Turns out my "Technique of the Week" has turned into more of a "Technique of the Month or so", but I'm going to try to pull it back together. Here are my notes for this week's focus techniques:

Hand Technique
Katate Aya Junte-mochi Taitenkan Tegatana-kirikomi Kokyu-nage - A
Cross Wrist Straight Grasp Body Shift Strike-in Breath-throw

• Cross Wrist Straight Grasp Initiation
  
• Curving up (like elbow power?) to raise Uke off balance
  
• Body Shift
  
• Cross-step in while cutting down for the throw
  
• Zanshin is both hands parallel, palms facing, or palms down??
  
• Uke simply does a forward roll/jump breakfall when Shite throws
  

Weapoon Technique
Kumitachi: Kote-giri Kote-osae Dai-ichi oyobini Dai-ni
Bokken with Partner, Wrist Cut to Wrist Control, #1 and #2

#1:

• Shite and Uke raise up together
  
• Uke shuffle-in front strike to waist; Shite shuffle slightly off-line to the right, cutting to Uke's wrist
  
• Uke cross-step back, raise up; Shite follow in, wrist control (blade vertical)
  

#2:

• Same as #1, then...
  
• Uke shuffle-in front strike to waist; Shite control to Shitoemi, blade pressed against Uke's neck (make sure bokken blade has no snags, ouch!)
  

Basic Movement
Kyujugo-do Kaiten
95-degree Pivot

• Start in basic kamae stance
  
• Pivot to 95-degrees, with a low stance; while pivoting, lower lead hand to level of back hand, then raise both hands up directly in front of body, lead hand at high chest height, back hand noticeably lower, palms facing up and out (similar to Spider-Man shooting a web?)
  
• Coming back to kamae is just the opposite movement
  
• Note: Keep back heel on the ground all the way around
  
• Note: Keep back straight and upright
  

Breakfall
Hiki-ashi Koho Ukemi Ni
Step-back Back Breakfall #2

• Start standing upright, feet together, hands at sides
  
• Lean back off balance, as if thrown back, letting hands raise up and out to chest level
  
• When balance is gone, step back with left leg, sit down back breakfall with hitting, come back to standing
  
• Repeat, stepping back with right leg this time
  
• Turn to the right
  
• Rinse, repeat all steps above
  
• Note: Keep chin tucked in
  
• Note: Kick out with legs, arch back up slighly (don't fold at the waist)
  

Aikido Technique(s) of the Week

As a self study aid, I decided to write weekly notes for myself on upcoming Aikido test techniques, basic movements, buki techniques, etc. Here goes...

Technique
Chest Grasp Body Change 1st Control Shoulder-support Extension Pin #1 One Knee Down Wrist Pin

• Lead for chest grasp
  
• 45 degree pivot, grab from on top
  
• Return, raise up
  
• First-control take down
  
• Move hand from Uke's elbow to Uke's shoulder
  
• Smooth steps guide down, Shite one knee down
  
• Wrist pin supporting hand on the inside of the calf
  

Basic Movement
Kamae Basic Stance
Feet about one step part.
Feet pointed out at 45 degree angles (90 degrees to each other).
Weight about 60% on front foot, 40% on back.
Front leg bend slightly at the knee, back leg straight.
Back vertical.
Forward hand about chest high, almost straight forward, fingers extended.
Back hand about belt high, palms vertical as if holding a pane of glass.

Breakfall
Hitting Exercise #2
Lie down on the ground, legs up at about a 40-45 degree angle from the floor, toes pointed forward, head off the ground. Slap at 35-45 degree angles from the legs, slapping with the entire arm and palm, palms open. Let arms bounce up, and return immediately to beginning position (arms in front of chest, crossed at the wrist, left arm closer than right arm).

Buki
Basic Stance with Bokken
Turn Bokken out at your side by rolling left hand over until back of hand faces ground.
Grasp across with right hand to top of hilt.
Lift Bokken up to head, keeping tip down.
"Snap" Bokken up over head, tilted about 45-degrees up and back.
Step forward into Kamae stance, bringing back hand out and smoothly lowering bottom of hilt into back (lower) hand.
Hands should be about one fist apart.
Bokken out at about 40 degrees from ground, pushing forward, tip about own neck height.