The Martial Art of Atemi

Striking Vital Points

Atemi has two meanings in Japanese martial arts. There is the noun Atemi, the art of hitting Vital Points, and there the verb to do an Atemi as in striking your opponent.

Not all styles of Aikido teach their students to Atemi, but striking your opponent or attacker is very important, even in the 'non-violent' martial art of Aikido... Why? Because it works as a distraction.

So while your main technique is to avoid your opponent's attack and throw him, he's going to be a lot easier to throw if you break his balance first by applying an effective atemi blow.

The atemi can be a sharp strike to any part of the body, such as the face, the side ribs or the testicles (done lightly is all you need). The atemi strike is mainly to shock the attacker. It is not designed to injure him except in the most extreme combat situations. 

Remember, the ultimate goal of Aikido is to use minimum force where possible. 

Then, in the very split second that he freaks out at the realization that you managed to 'get' him, you can throw your attacker down easily. This can end the confrontation peacefully, or at least without major damage to either of you.