Aikido Techniques and Attacks

OVERVIEW OF AIKIDO MOVEMENTS AND TECHNIQUES

Aikido movements emphasize flexibility and balance. The aim of the aikidoist is to be in complete control of their mind and body and to maintain a calm, alert posture. The continuous and flexible motion with originates at the hips is like the performance of a dance – a graceful, spherical motion. The beauty of Aikido movements comes from the coordinated motion of the entire body – each part contributing to the integrated sequence of the movement.

The joint locking techniques, such as those applied to the wrist or elbow, flex the joints in the direction of natural bending. They are in harmony with the natural flexing and, although such techniques are painful and effective, they result in no permanent damage to the joint.

AIKIDO TECHNIQUES, PRONUNCIATION AND MEANING

IKKYO | ee – kyoh | (1st pin technique) turning partner and making him/her drop to the ground using by controlling partner’s elbow and wrist

NIKKYO | nee-kyoh | (2nd pin technique) bends partner’s wrist in two angles and cuts through the center of the body making him/her drop to the ground

SANKYO | sahn-kyoh | (3rd pin technique) which, holding partner’s tegatana, cuts to the empty point of the rear triangle

YONKYO | yon-kyoh | (4th pin technique) control/throw using pressure point near partner’s wrist

GOKYO | go-kyoh | (5th pin technique used for knife attacks) | turning partner and making him/her drop to the ground using by controlling partner’s elbow and wrist as in Ikkyo, but wrist grab is reversed

KOTE GAESHI | koh-the-guy-shee | (wrist turn out throw) throw accomplished by twisting partner’s wrist

SHIHONAGE | shee-hoh-nah-gay | four direction throw

SOY UNDO | so-yee-uen-doh | Throw backwards

SUMI OTOSHI | soo-mee-oh-toesh | corner drop

TAI NO HENKO | tie-noh-hen-koh | change the body to blend (basic tenkan blending practice)

TENSHI NAGE | ten-chee-nah-gay | “Heaven” and “Earth” throw – one hand points to heaven; the other to earth to throw

AIKIDO ATTACKS, PRONUNCIATION AND MEANING

GYAKU TE TORI | gyah-koo-tay-toh-ree | cross-hand grab, e.g. left to left
(also called
KOSA DORI – koh-sah-doh-ree)

HIJI DORI | hee-jee-doh-ree | elbow grab

KATA TORI | kah-tah-toh-ree | shoulder grab

KATA MENUCHI | kah-tah-men-oo-chee | shoulder grab and strike to the head

KATATE TORI | kah-tah-tay-toh-ree | Same side wrist grab, e.g. right to left

KATATE TORI HAN TAI | kah-tah-tay-toh-ree hahn-tie | Same as gyaku te tori

MEN UCHI | men-oo-chee | strike to the head

MOROTE DORI | moh-roh-tay-doh-ree | Both hands grab partner’s wrist

MUNE DORI | moon-eh-doh-ree | Lapel grab

MUNE TSUKI | moon-eh-tskee | first strike to chest or stomach

RYOTE TORI | ree-oh-tay-toh-ree | two hands grab both of partner’s wrists

SHOMEN UCHI | shoh-men-oo-chee | straight strike to the top of the head

USHIRO ERI DORI | oo-shee-roh eh-ree-doh-ree | collar grab from behind

USHIRO HIJI TORI | oo-shee-roh hee-jee-toh-ree | elbow grab from behind

USHIRO KATA TORI | oo-shee-roh kah-tah-toh-ree | shoulder grab from behind