Springfield Class - 4/11/2006

The weather was beautiful and since I arrived early I started working on ukemi and other fun stuff like running up trees, doing cartwheels while jogging, and dive rolling over the sidewalk. I even climbed into the tree we train near and surprised Jong and Lauren. Shame on them for not noticing me. :-)

Rolf, Gino, and Stu were there which was nice because it's been a while since we were all together. It also made for a good number of bodies to throw around. As usual we started with ukemi. Since we were outdoors we made use of the space. We started with low dive rolls (i.e. stretched out forward rolls), "falling" back rolls and forward rolls while picking up weapons. Then we did a little sword evasion with rolls.

We started the training with the uke doing a lapel grab while the tori used a concealed tanto to aid in performing urate gyaku or just about anything to stop the uke. The point was using the weapon not for cutting but for creating more leverage or general pain when receiving the uke.

Then we moved into something we've been doing a lot lately and that was counters to hip throws. Rolf was able to provide some judo insight into hip throws because of his previous judo experience. The thing with judo hip throws is that the balance isn't really taken until the throw is actually occurring. At least the balance isn't taken initially. It's just a different way to do things. Anyway, we did hip throws, and a series of counters:

(1) Hand to the lower back counter.
(2) Counter to (1) - Using your forward hand to take uke's spine.
(3) Counter to (2) - Trapping the arm, keeping it bent and unable to extend to take your spine. Also use your other arm to take the balance by the outside shoulder. Also, if they attack with the elbow you can move with it and apply an arm bar.
(4) When you're actually being thrown hold on, land feet first, use the momentum and pull with your outside hand to effectively throw the uke.

After all that Lauren showed some basic balance breaking movements related to ganseki nage. From kumiuchi drop back into ichimonji like movement, take uke's balance to the outside of their foot (on the pinkie toe), shift back in the other direction with ichimonji like movement, then move 45 degrees forward/right taking the balance. A variation was after the second ichimonji movement shifting forward to apply ganseki nage or ganseki otoshi to your uke's rear leg.

That was pretty much it. Until next time, gambatte.