Falling and Slapping Out in Aikido

New aikido students learn to fall safely. This involves slap­ping the mat with the forearm and hand before the body hits the mat. It also involves learning how to roll by tucking in the head, rolling along the arm and shoulders, and then slapping out with the other arm.

Then simple throwing, stepping, and locking techniques are taught from standing and sitting positions. Stepping tech­niques involve grabbing the wrist and learning to move in a direction that causes the opponent to drop to the mat. Eventually, you'll learn to throw your opponent from this grab. Variations on the wrist grab include using the free hand to lock the opponent by applying pressure just below her elbow.

Teaching students the concept of the circle often begins with demonstrations. For example, the teacher may instruct a student to charge a more advanced student, who grabs the charging student's wrist, guides her to a point where both their arms are extended, then, using the built-up centrifugal force, pulling their arms in the opposite direction, causing her opponent to fall onto the mat.

One of the first things you're likely to notice during these demonstrations is the almost effortless moves the advance student makes. Not only does she hardly move from her posi­tion, but her techniques have a distinct rhythm to them. Mastering techniques to this extent takes years of practice and a high degree of physical conditioning.

Aikido Related Articles

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• Falling and Slapping Out in Aikido
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