INTRODUCTION
Ura techniques are probably harder to learn than omote techniques because they often involve a 180-degree turn. Keeping your training partner in your centre and trying not to get ahead of the technique and pull your partner around, or in front of the technique and push your partner too hard can be difficult to perfect. In this video examination of O’Sensie notice how he always has his uke in a comfortable and controlled centre.
LETS EXAMINE THE VIDEO FIRST.
The video in slow motion reveals O’Sensei’s continuous flowing motion as he executes Ikkyo Ura. O’Sensei’s enters from 45-degrees raising his hand, cutting down with his right hand and guiding uke with his left as he effortless controls uke to finally pin him to the floor facing the back of the dojo.
He then repeats the process for the other side in one flowing motion.
IN DETAIL
Examing the technique in detail with O’Sensei’s right hand and knee circled in YELLOW circles, and his left hand and knee if RED circles, O’Sensei first enters raising his right hand and arm at uke’s head and face with his knees at an approximately 45-degree angle to uke. His right makes contact with uke’s left hand and continues briefly upwards.
Up now and kneeling erect at around 45-degree angle to uke, O’Sensei cuts down with his right hand as his left-hand takes uke’s elbow. Uke’s hands are now centred over his knees as he begins to cut down with his right hand towards his right knee.
Continueing to cut down with his right hand his upper body has shifted slightly to his right. His left hand is also turning to the right controlling uke’s right elbow which is now higher than his right hand as it comes down towards his right knee.
O’Sensei has now turned to be at right angles to uke’s starting position allowing uke to pass by him.
His right hand is at or slightly past his right knee now (marked with the bottom yellow circle), it is at this point that O’Sensei begins to turn his right knee (yellow circles) further around towards the back of the dojo.
His left hand (marked with the red circles) continues to direct uke past him and down to the ground as his left knee also begins to come around towards the camera.
O’Sensei is not pushing uke away from him but is directing his force past him and down. Both arms are bent and relaxed.
Hands remaining over his knees O’Sensei continues to turn to the back of the dojo with his right knee now turning with his right hand over his knee and his left hand and knee also turning to maintain the stable structure, forcing uke down to the floor.
O’Sensei’s right knee now moves around and away from uke slightly stretching uke out and down along the floor. O’Sensei’s left hand is now slightly in front of his left knee.
O’Sensei finishes the pin both arms in extension, the right hand in front of the right knee and the left hand in front of the left knee. Having completed an almost 180-degree turn to now face the rear wall uke is subdued and pinned to the floor.
The process is then reversed for the other side.
LET’S EXAMINE THAT WHOLE MOVEMENT NOW IN SLOW MOTION
AND SOME MORE VIDEO, FROM STANDING AND AT AN EARLIER AGE
In the video above O’Sensei has used the vigorous energy given to him by his training partner (uke) and has used ikkyo ura as a throw. Note the skilful blending and the constancy in the shape and movement. Very little force was needed to execute the technique.
What do you think of this assessment, have you anything to add. Please feel free to comment below; at Aikido Analysed we want you to add your opinions Play around with the technique in your training and give us feedback on the types of things that do or do not work for you.
Yours in Aikido
AA
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