Gedanate

Aikido Throw #4 (of 17), Randori-no-kata

Gedanate is an attacking throw, done low, throwing your upper arm and body against Uke's pelvis to thow him onto his back or side.

Gedanate (gedan-ate) is technique number 4 of the first five aikido throws of Shodokan Aikido. The first five aikido throws are called the Atemi Waza, or “attack” techniques of Tomiki Aikido.

The gedanate aikido throw is a kind of  ‘crash-tackle’ against your opponent’s pelvis. The gedanate technique is sometimes performed with your thigh behind Uke’s legs so he cannot step back to recover his balance. When done this way, it is an awkward fall to take. (Gedan means ‘low posture’ in Japanese martial arts terminology.)

Here’s how you execute the Gedanate aikido technique:

• Tori avoids Uke’s attack (his training partner) by moving to the side.
• Tori catches and lifts Uke’s attacking arm.
• Tori he feints a strike to Uke’s face, so Uke raises his arm to block the expected punch… And that’s what Tori wanted in the first place – a clear opening below Uke’s outstretched arms… (the gedan area of the body)
• Tori immediately crouches really low and executes gedanate by ramming Uke’s pelvis with the whole side of his body.
• Tori’s left arm also sweeps against Uke’s chest during gedanate to further unbalance the opponent and push him backwards. This can be really powerful.
• Uke falls backwards and does a back breakfall, slapping the mats and making sure his head does not hit the floor.

(Lots of breakfall practice gives you very strong neck muscles which save you from injury when you fall. Learn to keep your chin on your chest as you fall backwards.)

Aikido Video: Gedan-ate aikido throw

David’s comments: It’s a great little video clip. I have re-played it a couple of times and you can see Tori (the defender) dropping low as he goes under the rubber dagger and sweeps Uke off his feet. This is how Shodokan aikidoka actually test out their techniques!

Comments, anybody?

05 - Ushiroate (Aikido rear attack)