March, 2003
Uke Theory 101
Previous Issues
There’s a challenge we encounter every time we practice
Aikido in the dojo. We’re practicing self-defense. But this isn’t
a real self-defense situation.
• First of all, as uke (attacker)
you have no intention of harming nage (defender). We practice Aikido with
friends. And while we want everyone to grow and make progress, we don’t
want anyone to get hurt if, for an instant, someone forgets to move. So
though we may attack vigorously, there is always the thought in the backs
of our minds that says, "I don’t want to hurt this person."
And this makes our attacks less than real.
• The uke has no expectation
of getting hurt, either. Thrown, yes. But not punched or kicked in retaliation
for their attack. Sometimes, this leads people to use attacks that leave
them open to an easy counterattack. Most attackers on the street want
to avoid getting hurt themselves, so their attacks are designed to leave
little opening for counters.
• The person attacking knows
what is going to happen next. We all know what technique we’re practicing.
The only time that the uke is surprised is when the instructor demonstrates
the technique the very first time. After that, everyone knows what to
expect. But in reality, no attacker would punch thinking, "Okay,
I just know this guy is going to turn tenkan."
So how do we create a reasonable representation of true
attacks given these unavoidable constraints? How do we help put nage into
a closer approximation of a real self-defense situation? Here are a few
ideas.
• Have a beginner’s
mind. You’d be a much better attacker if you had no knowledge of
what was going to happen next. Trouble is, we’re humans. We can’t
help but observe and learn. But when you are uke (attacker), you should
try not to learn what nage is going to do next. In other words, if
you are throwing a punch, expect nage to be there, expect to make contact.
Put your body into your attack in a way that allows you to deliver real
power. As the attacker, don’t think, "I’m about to get
thrown by Tsuki Kotegaeshi." Forget that! Just throw your punch!
And after you get thrown, forget it again and just attack.
• Act. Is the idea of beginner’s
mind a little too esoteric for you? Here’s another route: Act. Pretend.
Use your imagination. When a young actress complained to director Alfred
Hitchcock that she couldn’t find the motivation she needed in a certain
scene, Hitchcock advised her, "Fake it." So act like
that person will be there to receive your attack. Pretend she won’t
move. Feel like you are really attacking. Fake it. Then see how
your body behaves.
• Be comfortable with losing
your balance. How can this possibly make sense? Wouldn’t a smart,
logical attacker never lose balance? Actually, a smart, logical attacker
wouldn’t attack in the first place. But when you want to hurt, subdue,
or control another person, you have to commit yourself to the task. You
have to put your body weight behind a punch or a kick. You have to catch
that wrist or shoulder quickly. And when that target moves correctly and
with good timing, the loss of balance is automatic. It’s like leaning
against a door, only to have it open away from you the very instant you
touch it. When you are committed to an attack and nage moves correctly,
losing balance is unavoidable.
• Don’t presuppose nage's
movements. Here's what I mean: You swing at nage’s head. She steps
back. You lose balance. So next time you swing, you take an extra step,
allowing you to reach the place she'll be after she steps back.
But how much sense does it make to aim two feet behind your target? This
kind of adjustment happens in the dojo, not on the street. So to develop
real self-defense, we need to discipline ourselves to attack the target
we see, without factoring in nage’s ensuing movement.
• Get your priorities straight.
You need your balance to initiate an attack—you can’t throw
an effective punch if you’re falling over. But you have to be willing
to risk your balance to execute many attacks. That’s how you create
power. If your top priority is never losing your balance, then you won’t
be able to create real power in many of your attacks.
Uke theory is important because it helps us prepare for what we might encounter on the street. Without it, we'd eventually develop technique that works in the dojo, but nowhere else.
A very special evening
Even if you practice with us regularly, you may not have heard this news:
Two of our members, Lisa Fuller and Larry Alexander, got married just
before Christmas. So on Tuesday, March 11 at 7 PM, we're having a special
party for them at the dojo. Everyone is invited, whether you currently
practice with us or not. Please bring a dish to pass. Larry, who is in
the reserves, has also just been called to active duty. He will be leaving
four days later. So please come join us this special evening to celebrate
Lisa and Larry's new life together. We will have our regular 5:45 class.
Decorating will begin by 6:30, if not earlier. Help if you can, or just
come! And discover one more way that Aikido brings happiness to people's
lives.
Upcoming Events
Testing March 6 at 7PM, and March 7 at 7AM.
Open Mat, Friday, March 7 at 5:45PM.
Lisa and Larry's Wedding Party, Tuesday, March 11 at 7PM.
Winter Camp with Maruyama Sensei, March 14-16 in Lawrenceville, NJ. All
regular Rochester dojo classes will still be held.
Ran tori class, Wednesday, March 19 at 7PM.
Weapons Class, Wednesday, March 19 at 8PM.
Open Mat, Friday, March 21 at 5:45 PM.
Extra Teen Class, Wednesday, March 26 at 7PM.
Video Night, Thursday, March 27 after 8PM class.
Love is all we have, the only way
that each can help the other.
- Euripides