Our Puppets...Our Opponents!

[sensei8]

In your opinion, what's the key to any "deflection" as seen, for example, but not limited to, Aikido?

Is there any one key to the success of any "deflection"?

Imho, I believe that the one key is...Continued Directional Changes.

In this, the opponent never knows if he/she is coming or going. Just when the opponent is directed to 'go' or 'move' this way, the opponent is jerked in the complete and opposite direction like a rag-doll, or a puppet.

Could the one key be the feet? Could the one key be the hips? Could the one key be the body? Could the one key actually be in the totality, as one, of all three, as I've just noted...or more?

I'm just wondering outloud. What do you think? Because, I'm wondering about the ONE KEY, and what that ONE KEY is!

[bushido_man96]

I think leading the opponent a bit, and then using the angles is a big key. The Aikido sensei talked a bit about this in our seminar this weekend. Basically, if someone wants to go some way, then help them go that way, by moving, or pulling them along as you circle about, or whatever. That way, they over-extend, and then you can work from there.

[tallgeese]

It's going to vary system to system based on the methodology used in each to achieve goals and the principles of the art.

Personally, I think it boils down to moving their attack AND moving your target. So, an incoming punch might be parried at the same time an off-line movement is made with the body or head. This increases the likelihood that any "deflection" will work.

[JusticeZero]

Incoming force is directed away from it's target, but obliquely, and a vector is added to the force; the body of the attacker is thus redirected into a compromising position. Key is the ability to collapse and abandon structure and solidity strategically, intentionally crumpling a target and rolling along the edge of the attack vector.

[KarateGeorge]

I think one of the biggest keys of a deflection is to follow the direction of the attack.

As a simple example, take a basic parry of a forward punch. The punch is moving in a general angle from their shoulder area towards their centerline. A parry from the outside in towards that centerline works with the direction of the attack so that you've worked with the angle rather than against it.

I think the second biggest key is good footwork, which applies across the board. Proper footwork and stances make a huge difference in pretty much any technique you may attempt (unless you're down on the ground that is.)