Aikido Attacks

Of course, in aikido training the actual aikido techniqe is done by tori, the defender (also called nage), while the attack of the uke is merely a service so that tori can train. Therefore, it is quite common in aikido training that both partners focus almost completely on the tori role, and neglect that of the uke. It can go so far as to a state very near sleep, when an attack is done, as if this is a moment for rest, until again it is time to be tori.

     Such a way of training is unfortunate in so many ways. Mainly, one's focus soon becomes blurred also in the tori role, and without increasingly advanced attacks it is impossible to advance in one's aikido. We need to be more skilled as attackers, to be able to teach ourselves and each other higher skills in the defense.

     I do not primarily mean the self defense aspect, but the way (do) of aikido. When attacks get more precise, focused and sophisticated, then they stimulate the refinement of one's aikido, and one's understanding of its nature. When you show just as much care about your uke role, as you do about your tori role, then it will truly be aikido.

The attack form katadori, from a seminar in the Czech Republic.

     It's more fun, too, if you devote yourself to be uke, an attacker with the attacker's mind and strategy, when your partner is tori - and then switch to tori mind when it's your turn to do aikido techniques. The shift of behavior is good mental training, indeed, sort of instant acting: immediately switching from one role to its opposite. You'll have twice the fun.

     Below, I present the most common attack techniques (kogeki or kogekiho) in aikido, and say something about what I try to think about when training them. I don't try to be complete. For example, kicks and some rare and odd grips are missing, as well as armed attacks. I may add them later. What is included, though, I hope you find of some interest.

     In the photos, I do the attacks, and Tomas Ohlsson at my dojo Enighet in Malmö, is the tori.

     You find an edited and expanded version of all this in my book Attacks in Aikido.

Now, it's a book, too.

Attacks in Aikido covers the material on this website, edited and expanded with additional chapters. It also explains how to attack with weapons - bokken, jo, and tanto. Kicks are also covered, as are some instructions on how to practice tsuki, the striking attacks.
More about the book here.
Check out the book at Amazon.