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Competition
and the Shodokan training system Since
competitive aikido was first proposed by Tomiki Shihan, there has been
controversy in the wider aikido community as to whether it should be allowed.
However, it forms only part of a much larger system of progressive training
in shodokan. Competition
in shodokan aikido takes two basic formats. Embu When two
people are training together in order to learn new techniques or to practice
them, there is a necessary level of cooperation between them. Usually, one
takes on the role of uke, whose role is to attack in a predetermined way and
allow aikido to be performed on them. The other (tori) has the opportunity to
practice in a controlled, predictable situation while the basic skills are
being developed. The fixed
techniques, or kata, teach the principles of aikido and the control and
coordination required to perform them. This can be taken into a competitive
format, where two partners perform a set sequence of techniques as a
demonstration (embu), with cooperation between attacker and defender. In
competition two pairs may perform the same kata simultaneously, with three or
five judges who each make an independent, simultaneous decision as to which
pair is the winner at the end of the kata. In jiyu (open) embu, the pairs
present their own kata made up of aikido techniques, though there are also
set kata categories. Shiai Any
training in which there is an element of unpredictability in the interaction
between two people can be termed randori. In some systems of aikido, this can
be where uke resists the application of a technique, or they may attack in
one of many ways, and tori must respond spontaneously. Tomiki
wished to take unpredictability in training further, and apply it to a
competitive format (shiai). He introduced the use of a soft, foam-rubber
tanto with which one player attempts to strike the other on the torso. The
other player, who is unarmed, must avoid being struck and apply one of 17
permitted techniques in order to score. The roles are swapped halfway through
the bout. Because
the player with the tanto may score points, they provide a very fast,
committed but safe attack, which is the other player (toshu)'s opportunity to
break tanto's balance. Since tanto knows all the same techniques as toshu,
they can move to counter any force applied, this makes shiai very difficult.
Nevertheless, it is a true test of whether the techniques can be applied in
an unpredictable situation, and develops speed and timing very effectively. Kata
and Randori to Embu and Shiai The
shodokan training system is a progressive one. First, basic movements of the
feet, body and arms are practiced. These are the simplest building blocks of
aikido techniques. Next there are exercises designed to develop correct
distance, timing, application of force, balance breaking and other fundamental
principles working with a partner. These are practiced at the start of every
training session in every shodokan club worldwide. Together, these exercises
(kihon kozo) contain everything used in aikido. They may be learnt relatively
quickly at a basic level, but take years of practice and fine tuning to
perfect. Kata
takes these foundation principles and applies them to techniques. In embu, a
higher level of concentration and awareness, as well as speed and sharpness
of movement is to be shown. Literally, embu means martial demonstration and
the interplay between tori and uke should show this, while demonstrating the
key principles in each technique. In
randori training the same basic principles are applied, though the level of
unpredictability is gradually increased. It is possible to train in randori
without entering competitions, and still gain its many benefits. Essentially,
randori develops receptiveness to one's opponent, and the ability to react
spontaneously and effectively. Shiai is
the final level of randori training, though there are still constraints on
what either participant can do. This is necessary for reasons of safety, and
allows techniques to be practiced with force against an opponent who is
entirely uncooperative. The
understanding of techniques through kata and kihon kozo is essential to
effective randori, and randori training is the fastest way of developing the
speed, awareness and sharpness of movement in kata and embu. The
international rules for aikido shiai can be found by clicking here (from
www.aikido-kyokai.com) |
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