Aikido Moves

Aikido moves work on three simple principles. You must keep your balance, break your opponent's balance, and you must M-O-O-O-O-V-E!

I have tried to emphasize the verb "move" because it is so important. If you don't move properly, you are going to get clobbered. But if you can evade the attack, break the guy's balance and move (while keeping him off-balance) then he is going to fall. Which means he's the one who gets creamed, if he doesn't know how to fall safely.

That's why the first Aikido moves you will learn in class are those which involve falling safely (ukemi) and getting out of the way of an attack.

There are thousands of possible Aikido moves, but before you get overwhelmed at the thought, let me assure you that having maybe two that you perform well could be enough to work for you.

In fact there is nothing worse than having so many techniques in your head that you hesitate about which one to choose. Heck, if you only have one move, then there's no wasted time choosing. But two or three Aikido moves allows you to switch plans in mid stream if the first technique ever fails.

It's nice to have a few more Aikido moves you can do well.

Aikido Pressure Points