Expert: Keith Patton - 8/25/2009

Question
I guess i should have scrolled down a little further an read your profile first. I have taken a few aikido classes and became discouraged at how complicated and technical it was. And i don't understand how you can learn how to defend in a real world situation when everything is basically choreographed. What i mean is how can i re-direct a punch if i don't know where it is coming from and how fast? I would think that my reaction time would have to be off the charts!(Which it isn't by the way)Thanks for anything you may have to help.

Answer
Luke:

Yes, it takes a while to proficient in the more complicated techniques.  However, depending on the style you learn, you will be able to pick up some things that will serve you well in street situations.  The only time I have had to use Aikido in the street, I used Shomenate, which in the style I study is the first and simplest move.  It is what we call the "oh shit" move.  Basically a straight arm to the face, or what boxers call cuffing.  The arm in conjunction with the gliding forward of the lead foot hits the attacker with the force of your mass times your velocity which for a 200lb guy is about 400lbs.  Multiply that by the attackers closing velocity and you have a disaster for him.  

My attacker was spun upside down as his feet kept going forward and I pushed his head back with about 500foot lbs of force (I weigh about 250lb).  He was closing on me and was starting to swing in with a round house punch.  The punch never got there.  He ended up clipping the fender of a parked car which his head and shoulder as he came straight down and his two friends raised their hands and went back in the bar.  I got in my car and left as he crawled after them.

The important thing to remember is that you have to learn timing and muscle memory.  You can't decide to do this or that or you are already dog meat.  You just have to react.  

And yes, most of the demos you see are choreographed.  

Musashi the swordman said "fast is slow, and slow is fast" with regard to learning movements.

Learn them at slow speed and you learn precision and accurate timing.  Then when the time comes to have to react quickly, you won't have to think at all.  Trying to do the techniques fast during the learning only invites sloppy technique and hides all the faults.

Aikido is all about precision of movement and balance, it is hard to get that right when you start especially when you are just flailing around doing things too fast.