Jodan tsuki ushiro kiriotoshi

Similarly to previous analyses, first we describe what we can see in the video, and then how ushiro kiriotoshi can be performed (more) properly.

When talking about aikido, it's not enough to just focus on the role of the defender (tori) and discuss his/her movements. In aikido, we need to try to achieve harmony, concequently, the attacker's (uke) movements are at least as important as those of the defender.

Let's start the analysis with uke's movements. The attack seen in the video, unfortunately, is not really committed, mostly because the attacker should be in a stable position before starting the punch or thrust, and afterwards as well. Here, the attacker does not simply step forward to do the thrusting motion but steps multiple times each time moving forward just a little. A powerful and committed attack can only be performed from and to a stable position. If the distance is higher at the beginning, it shouldn't be decreased with one more step at the end – as seen in the video – but you should arrive at a proper distance BEFORE starting the committed attack in order to be able to attack with sufficient energy. Partly, this is the reason for the attackers falling flat on his face.

Now about the defender: in the video, he remains too far from the attacker after stepping behind him. He doesn't seem to throw the attacker off balance but, due to his inappropriate steps, pulls him to himself. He also tries get away by stepping multiple times, while he also leans forward. These movements result in an unstable execution of ushiro kiriotoshi, and – together with bad timing - that uke ends up face down on the mat.

How ushiro kiriotoshi ought to work:

The above technique uses a (powerful) throw into the rear irimi point of the attacker. In order to be able to do this, the attacker has to be appropriate, committed (which is not equivalent to being lightning fast!). During the execution of ushiro kiriotoshi, the defender's step is a simple taisabaki (we will soon include an instructional video about base steps). The attacker should be thrown off balance at the point when the defender is exactly behind him; in that single moment. After this moment, the defender steps from behind the attacker and lets him fall down. If the timing of throwing off balance is proper, the defender doesn't have to be concerned about uke falling on him because the second step of taisabaki makes sure that uke has an empty space to fall to. At the end of the techniqe, the attacker will be down on the mat in a position that is in right angle with the guard position of the defender.

In of the videos in our introduction page you can see an example of how we do ushiro kiriotoshi.

If you would like to share your thoughts, opinion or any ideas related to this topic, you are more than welcome to do so. Please post them in a comment.