| You can learn how to perform amazing Aikido | | | | series of conditions you will need to observe. You |
| throws in an efficient and effective way by joining | | | | must make sure you get the timing right, or you |
| your local Aikido club. Practise on a regular basis, | | | | will be too early or too late. If early you can be |
| and you will soon be able to successfully throw | | | | accused of attacking them, and if too late, you |
| your training partner. | | | | may be hurt. |
| Of course, you will have to work on many other | | | | You will also need to take control of the |
| skills, before you can attempt to throw in an | | | | opponents mind by distracting them. This can be |
| effective way. For example, you'll have to learn | | | | done with a sudden unexpected move, a ki-ai |
| the Aikido club rules/etiquette, how to fall safely, | | | | shout, or even an atemi strike to a pressure |
| the movements of a variety of techniques, how | | | | point. |
| to effectively work together with a partner in | | | | Another important aspect of making a simple |
| order to develop your techniques further. | | | | throw work on the street, is learning how to deal |
| After a while you will be able to perform some | | | | with fear and a surge of adrenaline, that will |
| amazing Aikido throws, that your training partner | | | | either... |
| would not be able to resist... even if they were | | | | 1 - Make you freeze on the spot, and maybe get |
| foolish enough to try! | | | | hurt. |
| What are these Aikido Throws? | | | | 2 - Walk or run away from the situation... good |
| Well, there are many basic techniques in the art | | | | idea! |
| of Aikido, and hundreds of advanced variations as | | | | 3 - Apply a successful defence, using minimum |
| well. Many are simple takedowns that lead to a | | | | force. |
| controlling pin, or they can be adapted into an | | | | But, you have to ask yourself - Is it safe to |
| Aikido throw. | | | | throw someone down? |
| Aikido teaches you how to be spontaneous during | | | | In the training hall your partner has learned how |
| your training and find the best possible way to | | | | to fall safely, and they have nice mats to cushion |
| control an attacker... using the minimum amount | | | | the effects. In the street your attacker could |
| force. | | | | bang their head on concrete, or another hard |
| So, lets take a look at some of the most | | | | surface. This is highly dangerous for them, so it is |
| effective throws. Now, by effective, I mean | | | | much better to control them by breaking their |
| those that will work under difficult street | | | | balance and take them down in a controlled |
| conditions. This will limit some of the more | | | | manner, if possible. |
| complex moves that appear to be more flashy, | | | | Another very effective throw is called Koshi-nage, |
| and unlikely to work in a violent street attack | | | | where you duck under your attackers hips. This |
| situation. | | | | has the effect of taking their legs away and |
| One of the more basic Aikido throws is | | | | forcing them into a break-fall or pile driver. This |
| tenchi-nage, which is based on the principles of | | | | will only work if they are coming at you with |
| heaven and earth, where you reduce your | | | | plenty of momentum, if not you will be vulnerable! |
| opponents strength by distracting the mind. This is | | | | Once again good in the dojo with experienced |
| done by sending their energy up and down at the | | | | training partners and mats, but in the street your |
| same time, giving you the ability to unbalance | | | | attacker could be badly hurt. If it is an all out war |
| them to the rear. | | | | that you need to survive, by all means go for it. |
| This can easily be adapted into irimi-tsuki, where | | | | But in my opinion, there are much safer and |
| you control your attacker by lifting their chin up | | | | effective controlling techniques available. |
| with the palm of your hand, to off-balance them | | | | In time, and with dedication to your training, your |
| to the rear... effective for all types of attack, | | | | Aikido Instructor will pass on to you his |
| dojo or street. | | | | experience and knowledge in this area... happy |
| Of course to make a throw work, there are a | | | | training! |