Video of aikido techniques against full resistance

[Gerry Seymour]

Some (not you) may think one can just initially go for head control or joint lock, but we know it's seldom that easy. Chin Na master, Zhao Da Yuan wrote, "...in a fight it is impossible to grab an opponent and apply Chin Na directly..." Some initial "tenderizing" is normally required. Just thought this point worth stressing.

I’ve seen this so many time in aiki “sparring” - just two people who ought to know better reaching and grabbing for wrist and arm control.

 

[isshinryuronin]

I’ve seen this so many time in aiki “sparring” - just two people who ought to know better reaching and grabbing for wrist and arm control.

Even (especially) intermediate practitioners get too "technique oriented" (I think this is human nature and true in all arts) and focus too much on that, anxious to utilize their knowledge and skill in performing a technique. It seldom works out well. More advanced levels have learned patience and understand the necessity of the foundation of position, distance, preliminary set-ups, the nature of the opponent and flow of the encounter, etc. Then, opportunity doesn't need to be chased, merely facilitated so it can present itself. Didn't Sun Tzu say something about the enemy providing the means for his own defeat? All he needs is a little encouragement.