Fundamental Arm Motion 1

One our fundamental principles is that motions remain (naturally) side-orientated. This means that the Left arm deals with motions on the Left side of the body, and the Right hand/arm deals with those motions on the Right-side of the body. Though sounding "simplistic" it (evidently) is a foreign concept to most individuals. Inevitably when an aggressor delivers a punch (with either hand) student's will (initially) use their dominant hand (regardless of which side the Uke's strike is being delivered from) to respond to that strike. .

Oyata believed and taught that we should use the arm that is on the side that the strike is being delivered from (right arm for the aggressor's left-hand strike and vice versa). Aside from being faster, it is a more practical way to deal with one's defense. This principle is ingrained into our student's via their practice of the shown techniques.

Initial Arm Motion Practice

This practice introduces the student to the defensive principle of "Off-Body" (defensive) motion. The practice of this motion instills the concept of the defensive action occurring at a distance (away) from the student.

This motion begins with the hand motioning forward (at the motioning arm's shoulder) forward, and rising to shoulder height "Palm-Up". The hand then rotates (Palm-Inward) and moving to the student's center-line, and rotating to Palm-Down (bending at the arm's elbow to do so). When the hand reaches the center-line of the body, The hand and elbow are lowered to waist level. The hand then motions towards the outside of the student's body, stopping when again aligned with the shoulder (Palm-Out).

While performing this motion (with one arm), the student's other arm will perform a separate action.

That arm (what will be referred to as being the "near/close" arm) will motion across the body (providing a "groin cover" while doing so) and then raise (bending at the elbow to do so). That hand continues to rise until achieving a vertical positioning (again) "in-line" with it's own shoulder. The elbow and forearm will then be extended forward (as if/when "striking" with that forearm).

For the practice of "this" initial action, the arm is not extended. This practice is only intended to acclimate the student to the combined action performed by both arm's.

The student should focus on the extended arm performing it's motions off/away from the student's body. The secondary hand/arm's motions are (initially) performed "close" to the student's body.

When this basic motion is understood, the student will include the rotation of their body (to both the Left and Right) in conjunction with the performed actions. That "rotation" should be made so the student assumes a "back-stance" (initially).

Once the student is comfortable with the (entire) motion(s), they will begin practice of the motions in response to an aggressor (uke) performing "Striking" actions (1 of the 4 possible).

This practice represents the First Defensive Action Set.

Windmill/Bicycle Application

When the student begins their practice of the primary motions, they will commonly perform them in such a way as the motion fails to achieve the desired responses/positions being done by the uke. This is often compensated for by the tori repeating the action. This can occur several times, prior to the tori reversing the action/motion (and the repositioning of the tori) to then apply the defensive action.

This concept can be applied in either a sideways, or a forward manner. when performed sideways, it is referred to as being a "windmill"(as a Right/Left) action. When done as a forward/backward motion, it is called a "bicycle" motion.

It is most easily demonstrated with a Left inside parry followed by a Right outside parry (followed by another Left inside parry, and another Right outside parry, etc.). At an appropriate time, the motion is reversed, and the technique/application is again attempted. Exactly when the technique is reversed, is up to the tori (dictated by the circumstances).