5 Sneaky Tricks(?) for When Your Partner Resists

This is an example of atemi used when the partner resists during irimi-nage.

Atemi is often translated as “striking vital points,” and refers to techniques that strike, hit, or kick the opponent’s vulnerable points.

In the video, I used the word “tricks(?)” to match the Shorts format, but the purpose is not simply to force the technique through or to injure the opponent’s body.

The purpose is to disrupt the opponent’s structure and center, and to restore the flow of the waza.

If it serves that purpose, a wide variety of atemi can be used creatively. For example, stepping on the partner’s foot, bumping into the body, or pressing down on the bridge of the nose.

However, these forms of atemi should not be treated as a way to injure the partner in actual training. They should be practiced safely as examples for understanding distance, timing, direction, and changes in the center.

I believe there are both advantages and disadvantages to practicing atemi.

For uke, it can help develop sensitivity to counters against their own attack and create more agile movement. On the other hand, it may also lead to an overly defensive attitude.

For tori, it can develop the initiative to keep moving and find a new opening even when the technique is blocked. On the other hand, there is also a risk that the movement may become rough.

With these points in mind, it is important to practice accurately and safely.

Aikido Samsungdang is an aikido dojo in Incheon, Korea, led by Sung Ju-hwan.

At Aikido Samsungdang, Sung Ju-hwan teaches with a focus on the structure and reproducibility of techniques, based on kata, basic training, taijutsu, and weapons practice.