Aikido. Any training ideas?

[Norton]

The methods of Aikido training is criticised for not being realistic(which I agree on most parts), so I think that everyone should have ideas on how it should be. I'm asking this to the more experienced people of any style, what do you think should be changed/replaced in Aikido training,from your point of view to make it more practical and realistic?

[WC_Lun]

Fully resisting opponents in some training.

[TKD&JKD]

The inclusion of more offensive techniques. My understanding is it is called the gentle art. Mostly counters with throws and takedowns. I own a book on Aikido, are there any times where you go on the offensive or is it more about flow, and redirecting your opponents energy?

[Norton]

When you start to understand the movements, they encourage you to use strikes druing the techniques to distract your opponent. You usually change your position to unbalance your opponent and get out of his strike range. And in the beginning of that movement, you do a strike to distract the opponent. Then you get into a position where you can apply pressure to a joint. Then you force the opponent to be thrown with that pressure. It's usually like that,but changing slightly depending on the technique.


And yes, it's defensive. You always wait for the attack first. Cause, when someone attacks, he gives you an opening. And when someone grabs a limb of you, he gives you a chance to unbalance him,because you become one whole mass with your opponent. At least,that's what I've understood of the techniques I've practiced this past year.

[N.B]

You might want to direct people in the direction of a book called 'Angry White Pyjamas', it is a book about a man who signs up for 11 months of brutal Aikido training with the Japanese riot police.

[Sake Sipper]

Sure, real Aikido training can be a lot more 'rough' than some of the McDojos in the US would lead you to believe.

[TKD&JKD]

I read an article from Dave Lowry that Japanese and Hawaiin schools are much more hardcore than American Schools. He said American schools focused more on the mental aspects and less on combatives.

[BudoTM]

At our dojo we expect and demand full commitment from the uke (attacker)in their strikes and attacks. After all you do have to attack the person the way someone would do it on the street, as if they where going to take your head off with their punch or kick. That way the techniques are more realistic, so that or Aikido can be performed the way that it should be done and the way O'Sensei originally wanted to be. .

You should always be honest in you attack. And not attack in a half assed way. Always with full commitment.

[BudoTM]

Originally Posted by TKD&JKD

I read an article from Dave Lowry that Japanese and Hawaiin schools are much more hardcore than American Schools. He said American schools focused more on the mental aspects and less on combatives.

"Some American Schools" Some of us practice it the way it should be done. With a good martial spirit!

[Chapel]

One of the issues, Budo, is that even when the attack is done with significant force, if you know what is coming and when it is coming you still aren't training as real as you can.

[Norton]

This thread is old and dead. I've quit Aikido, anyway.

[BudoTM]

Originally Posted by Chapel

One of the issues, Budo, is that even when the attack is done with significant force, if you know what is coming and when it is coming you still aren't training as real as you can.

That is very true Chapel, you are absolutely correct that is why it is very important to not only practice Kihon Waza (basic techniques), but also it is extremely important to practice the more advanced aspects of Aikido, like Henka Waza (varied technique) which is beginning one technique and changing to another in mid-execution. Kaehsi Waza (reversal techniques) which is when the techniques are reversed if they are not being applied well or strong enough to the uke. Also the practice of Takamusu Aiki (more of a fighting form), which is the resistance type of training, in which the uke attempts to resist the technique, if one is not able to achieve the technique one, is going for it has to be changed or shifted to another on the spot. Also, one cannot forget the practice of Taninsugake, which are multiple attacks. At our dojo (at a more advance level of training) we practice this by having all attackers come at one with all different attacks.

[nogloves]

Originally Posted by BudoTM

That is very true Chapel, you are absolutely correct that is why it is very important to not only practice Kihon Waza (basic techniques), but also it is extremely important to practice the more advanced aspects of Aikido, like Henka Waza (varied technique) which is beginning one technique and changing to another in mid-execution. Kaehsi Waza (reversal techniques) which is when the techniques are reversed if they are not being applied well or strong enough to the uke. Also the practice of Takamusu Aiki (more of a fighting form), which is the resistance type of training, in which the uke attempts to resist the technique, if one is not able to achieve the technique one, is going for it has to be changed or shifted to another on the spot. Also, one cannot forget the practice of Taninsugake, which are multiple attacks. At our dojo (at a more advance level of training) we practice this by having all attackers come at one with all different attacks.

Do you guys have your attackers come at you with more than one punch or kick. I think it easy when your opponent throws just one punch...anyone can defend that.

[nogloves]

Originally Posted by Norton

This thread is old and dead. I've quit Aikido, anyway.

Hey Norton do you think Kendo is more practical than Kenjutsu.....at least with Kendo you are going against a live resisting opponent.

[Norton]

Originally Posted by nogloves

Hey Norton do you think Kendo is more practical than Kenjutsu.....at least with Kendo you are going against a live resisting opponent.

Kendo has limited targets to attack, since it is a sport. There are some differences. You can hit the top of the opponents head(which is actually MUCH harder than cutting the sides of the neck ), the sides of the torso, the right wrist(when the sword is lowered down, and the left wrist if the sword is held up high), and you can thrust the sword to the throat. So, you can't cut legs and arms and all that stuff. And after you cut the target, you have to move forward and get past your opponent if there is space to move forward, or backward if there is no space to move forward, to show the referee that you are aware of the cut that you have executed. These are the basic differences.

BUT,


Like you said the resistance part brings in huge fun and development into the game. You know that you have progressed with something when you start doing it right and make it work against other people. That actually feels quite good. In additions to these, Kendo guys know that they can do and what they can't. I actually find it quite similar to boxing, technique is very important but still you should be quite fast and know how to fake shots.


In the end, I definitely think that Kendo is much more practical. I'm only doing it for fun and the perceptional development but I think I could use it quite well if it came to that, since no people knows how to use a stick or a sword. Any average Kendoka could hit a person's skull with a stick/sword anytime. Actually one of the younger guys of our dojo used it at a school fight.