kaitenage
19th October 2004, 14:18
This is an essay I wrote a couple years ago- I thought I would share it with the members of this list.
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The importance of being Uke
When you pair up for one-step sparring or self defense in karate, and techniques in aikido, you will take one of two roles. One of those is tori (also called nage)- the person who is being attacked, and who will be responding to that attack. Tori is also referred to as the 'giver of the technique.' The second is the uke- the attacker, who will receive the technique. (In some circles, pun intended, uke is referred to as the crash test dummy.)
Some students, particularly beginners, see tori as the one who is getting the practice, while uke is just biding their time, waiting for their chance to become tori. Why, being uke must be boring, right? This is not the right way to look at it. While tori is indeed practicing a technique (or combination,) uke is also practicing- they are practicing their attack, and their ukeme- their breakfalling technique. Uke is also in an excellent position to assist the tori on their technique, by giving feedback on how something is working, how it can be improved. Plus, think of all the exercise you get from getting up from the mat after being thrown repeatedly!
One mistake that I have seen made in both karate and aikido classes is when uke gives a bad attack. This can be a weak grip with a wrist or shoulder grab, or it might mean a punch or a kick that is done poorly, or with no intent to strike the target. Do not misunderstand- the speed (and power) of an attack should be based on the skill level of tori- an advanced student should NOT attack a beginner at full speed, with intent to strike full force. However, the attack should make contact with tori if they do not move away from, deflect, or block the attack, so they can learn proper distancing. An attack that is not committed does not allow tori to properly learn the technique, as it changes the dynamics of the situation.
A couple months ago, I spoke to an advanced karate student who was acting as uke for another student- their attack was slow, it was stopping approximately 8 inches from the target (tori,) and it was being done with no focus. Tori was becoming frustrated that the techniques were not working properly. The reason for this was the timing and distancing were incorrect. Once uke gave a committed attack for tori, things began to fall into place.
In aikido, I have spoken to students about them stopping their attacks prematurely. They were told that they needed to try to strike tori. They responded that they did not wish to hit tori- the reply was tori doesnt want to be hit either, just for them to TRY. By giving an attack that NEEDS to be responded to (a strike that stops a foot away requires no response,) they are helping tori improve their technique, which uke will receive in turn when they take the role of tori.
Another aikido student told me that I was too close when I was preparing for an attack (punch to the middle,) to which I replied that I needed to be close enough to hit him if he did not do the technique. After all, why would I attack from outside my own reach, when that would mean I wouldn't be able to hit tori?
In conclusion- the role of uke is vital for tori to learn techniques properly. In addition, uke has the opportunity to improve their attacks, their break falls, and to assist tori in improving their techniques by giving feedback. Uke must be aware of the level of their tori, and base the speed of their attack on the ability of tori- however, regardless of that level, the attack needs to be committed.
-------------------------------------------------
The importance of being Uke
When you pair up for one-step sparring or self defense in karate, and techniques in aikido, you will take one of two roles. One of those is tori (also called nage)- the person who is being attacked, and who will be responding to that attack. Tori is also referred to as the 'giver of the technique.' The second is the uke- the attacker, who will receive the technique. (In some circles, pun intended, uke is referred to as the crash test dummy.)
Some students, particularly beginners, see tori as the one who is getting the practice, while uke is just biding their time, waiting for their chance to become tori. Why, being uke must be boring, right? This is not the right way to look at it. While tori is indeed practicing a technique (or combination,) uke is also practicing- they are practicing their attack, and their ukeme- their breakfalling technique. Uke is also in an excellent position to assist the tori on their technique, by giving feedback on how something is working, how it can be improved. Plus, think of all the exercise you get from getting up from the mat after being thrown repeatedly!
One mistake that I have seen made in both karate and aikido classes is when uke gives a bad attack. This can be a weak grip with a wrist or shoulder grab, or it might mean a punch or a kick that is done poorly, or with no intent to strike the target. Do not misunderstand- the speed (and power) of an attack should be based on the skill level of tori- an advanced student should NOT attack a beginner at full speed, with intent to strike full force. However, the attack should make contact with tori if they do not move away from, deflect, or block the attack, so they can learn proper distancing. An attack that is not committed does not allow tori to properly learn the technique, as it changes the dynamics of the situation.
A couple months ago, I spoke to an advanced karate student who was acting as uke for another student- their attack was slow, it was stopping approximately 8 inches from the target (tori,) and it was being done with no focus. Tori was becoming frustrated that the techniques were not working properly. The reason for this was the timing and distancing were incorrect. Once uke gave a committed attack for tori, things began to fall into place.
In aikido, I have spoken to students about them stopping their attacks prematurely. They were told that they needed to try to strike tori. They responded that they did not wish to hit tori- the reply was tori doesnt want to be hit either, just for them to TRY. By giving an attack that NEEDS to be responded to (a strike that stops a foot away requires no response,) they are helping tori improve their technique, which uke will receive in turn when they take the role of tori.
Another aikido student told me that I was too close when I was preparing for an attack (punch to the middle,) to which I replied that I needed to be close enough to hit him if he did not do the technique. After all, why would I attack from outside my own reach, when that would mean I wouldn't be able to hit tori?
In conclusion- the role of uke is vital for tori to learn techniques properly. In addition, uke has the opportunity to improve their attacks, their break falls, and to assist tori in improving their techniques by giving feedback. Uke must be aware of the level of their tori, and base the speed of their attack on the ability of tori- however, regardless of that level, the attack needs to be committed.