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Whether watching old WWII combat Judo training films or modern Martial Arts movies, seeing someone knocked off their feet and thrown to the ground leaves one with the distinct impression that the one being thrown has been utterly dominated by the one doing the throw. Of course, this is not always the case, but it is appealing to think so. The skills necessary to accomplish such a task are substantial and require a considerable amount of training. So, what makes a person fall?
Before I continue, we need to point out that falling is not a natural act. Most people will desperately try to avoid it. Not only can it be painful and cause injury, but it often leaves one more vulnerable to further threats. Innate recognition of these potential outcomes encourages people to fully resist being knocked off their feet. As a former Police Officer, I can absolutely stand by the truth of these observations. I would also like to point out that we use the term “throw” to describe a certain technique that can cause the fall, but our goal is more accurately defined as a “take down”. We take people down precisely because they are “usually” more vulnerable to being controlled with less risk to them or ourselves when their legs can no longer offer the support to continue the resistance or maintain the aggression.
In short, people fall because they lose their balance. To complete a proper throw, we need to create conditions that will aid in their loss of balance. The three specific methods most often used to aid in this unbalancing are: 1. Lead, 2. Leverage, and 3. Pain. The number of strategies and techniques included in these methods are too many to list. Realizing the difficulty a person’s size and strength might create, tilting (leading) the head in any direction off the support of the torso can lead toward loss of balance. Turning, blending, trapping, breaking center, and blocking
or tripping the leg are examples of the use of leverage. Twisting the hand to put pain on the fingers or the wrist can cause a person to react and in trying to escape the pain, they are thrown.
Mr. Weber is the chief instructor at the Aikido Academy of Self-Defense located at 16134 N. Oracle Rd., in Catalina. He has more than 45 years of experience in the Martial Arts and has achieved skills in a variety of disciplines. He also teaches Tai-Chi on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m.
Please call (520) 825-8500 for information regarding these and other programs. If you wish, check out the website at www.AikidoAcademyOfArizona.com.
Mr. Weber is the chief instructor at the Aikido Academy of Self-Defense located at 16134 N. Oracle Rd., in Catalina. He has more than 45 years of experience in the Martial Arts and has achieved skills in a variety of disciplines. He also teaches Tai-Chi on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. Please call (520) 825-8500 for information regarding these and other programs. If you wish, check out the website at www.AikidoAcademyOfArizona.com.
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