59
« on: December 04, 2010, 07:32:23 PM »
Woof all - this is an area of interest for me. most of my years of training has been in aikido, and as you become more advanced, there becomes increasing emphasis on an exercise called randori. this is basically multiple person attack. I know that aikido does not get a lot of respect and some circles, but just like with stick fighting, there is aikido and then there is aikido, and a lot of it depends on the practitioners involved, the individual's skill level and the attitude of the school. part of the reason for the nature of the movements in aikido is that there is always an assumption that there is more than one person involved, and many of aikido's techniques and throws really do come into their own in a multiple person environment. a couple thoughts:
First, this is a skill that can be practiced like any other, and it benefits from starting slowly and increasing intensity and numbers gradually. Unfortuantely most schools that don't practice this regularly, and suddenly decide to just add a second or third person in "to see what happens". Surprise! The lone defender is overwhelmed. When people first start out it is almost comical to watch the tunnel vision and difficulty dealing with the input from several attackers. Like anything else, with gradual increases in the intensity of attack a number of attackers, you do get much better at this. The key here is GRADUAL - too much too quickly in the brain shuts down or the person loses all technique. Worse, they get locked up with one person and stop moving, which leads to the second observation
Second, this is all about movement, movement, movement. doing basic motion exercises where there is actually no attack and you are simply moving to safe angles is a great beginning drill - try this; have everybody hold their hands behind their back so that there will be no striking, and three people will simply try to "belly buck" the person who is in the middle, and that person will simply try to move in such a way as to not allow the others to do that. if you can keep from laughing long enough to finish the exercise, you will discover that you actually learn where to be and how to move in a very nonthreatening and fun environment. THen repeat but each attacker can only use ONE angle of attack; you will find that people move a lot bette than if you just jump in there balls to the wall from the get go without some basic principles of movement.
Thirdly, after movement, this is also about technigue selection. Takedowns are not a great defense strategy here but shoves and throwdowns are wonderful because you can use one attacker against another briefly. Technique selection on the move can also be practiced and developed.
lastly, I wholeheartedly agree with a observation that it is difficult to get people to attack in a coordinated manner. We are so drilled into this idea of taking turns attacking that it takes some work to undo this, but again learning to attack as a team is something else that can be practiced. Ironically, when two people attack at the same time from different directions that actually creates wonderful opportunities to use one person's energy against the other and they start getting in each other's way. Our experience in aikido randori was that 3 attackers is optimal for the attack - more than that and the attackers actually start to inhibit each other more than help. It may be hard to believe that 5 is easier than 3, but its true (assuming an open environment, and the defender actually knwos how to MOVE - in closed space or limited mobility this is pretty much mootanyway)- when you watch as many of these as I did in 17 years, you realize that only 3 can get in there and the other 2 are effectively holding back anyway and impairing the others mobility. Obviously, a person who is outnumbered is at a huge disadvantage, but a little good footwork and good maneuvering can make it extremely difficult to finish that person off. creative drills on this really do add a lot of spice and fun to any class. I really miss doing this.
Rick
Show Posts
