Techniques

When you first begin to study Aikido it seems as though there are a huge number of techniques to learn. As you progress you will find that really there are in fact a limited number of fundamental techniques that are applied in different ways depending on the type and speed of the attack. Even where the attacker is carrying a weapon the same techniques are used with only minor variations. So don't despair, it gets easier and techniques will quickly start to seem familiar.

Aikido techniques can be divided into two main types - projections, where the attacker will roll away from you as they fall, and immobilisations, where you will take control of their movement all the way to the ground. The 7 basic immobilisation techniques are ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo, gokyo, shiho nage and kote geisha. There are far more projection techniques, with 28 commonly practiced in dojos around the world.

In all cases the movements of the technique are circular as illustrated below. In some cases the circle will be horizontal and in others it will be vertical or diagonal. Depending on the way the attacker is moving towards you this will often result in spiralling movements as you blend the circular motion of the technique with their attack. The result of this is that Aikido looks very graceful and flowing and is often referred to as looking like a dance between the attacker and the defender.

Horizontal Circuits

Vertical Circuits

Diagonal Circuits

Drawings by O Ratti from 'Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere' 1970

A detailed description of the different techniques is beyond the scope of this web site. For information on application of the various techniques to different attacks there are plenty of good books around. One of the best of these is Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere, which is widely available and one of the most useful Aikido books ever published. There are also many websites dedicated to Aikido techniques, including many that have movies or illustrations of the different techniques. Here are some links:

Aikido World Web Journal
http://www.aikido-world.com/highlights/technical _tips/Aikido-Techniques.htm

Aikido 3D (Computer graphics of techniques but you have to pay for it)
http://www.aikido3d.com/?gclid=COKf66eb1Z8CFQtfagodZx-NaQ