Wheels!

One of the most common concepts, along with those like 'reaping', 'blocking' and 'lifting' is 'wheeling'.

The simplest example, the very first set of the Gokyo No Waza, is Hiza Guruma:

In Hiza Guruma, the upper body is 'wheeled' around the axis of one knee fixed in space. As the shoulder rotate in relation to it and progress horizontal beyond its base, the uke is forced to step or fall.

In Kata Guruma, the center of mass of uke is fixed the Tori's highly mobile shoulders, which serve as the new fulcrum or axle about which the wheel spins. In English and western wrestling traditions, this throw is known as the Firemen's Carry:

Superbe ippon sur Kata guruma de monstre
Uploaded by FAYAsensei. - Watch original web videos.

In Koshi Guruma, the uke's hip is glued to tori's, and is the axle about which uke spins:


In Te Guruma, or the 'hand wheel', the hara or center of mass of Uke is glued to Tori's chest, and he is spun about that axis by pulling down on the shoulders, while being lifted at the hip:

Fall break

Practice is canceled for Friday, 10-16-2009, on account of reading day.

Open Mat on Sunday will be determined by the number of students present at 4:00pm.

From Russia with 2 on 1's

This week we'll work the russian back grip, and the 2 on 1 a little.

Both are 'unorthodox' grips that you cannot hold for long without an attack in the IJF, but are perfectly legal in other forms of grappling, namely Sambo...

Here's Harai MakiKomi, as easy one to set up from the Russian back grip:



And here's Yoko Wakare, or the 'Arm Throw' or 'Arm Spin' in Folkstyle:


This Wednesday we'll work on how to set up these grips and these throws, amongst others...

See you there!