Aiki Techniques

Shiho Nage

Shiho Nage is generally thought of as a technique but it is also a basic off balance that is different from Ikkyo and Waki Gatame. In spite of this it was decided to discuss Shiho Nage as a technique. The following sequence shows the how Nage's hand position is initiated for every case.

Fig. 1 Initial Hand Position Fig. 2 Nage's Palm Turns Up Fig. 3 Nage Rotates Uke

  1. Fig. 1 shows Nage's initial hand position as Uke reaches for Nage's hand. Normally Uke strikes to grab the hand but this has been omitted here to simplify the Shiho Nage explanation.

  2. As Uke is about to grab Nage's wrist Nage's wrist turns palm up as in Fig. 2 so that Uke can grasp Uke's wrist with Nage's palm towards Uke's arm.

  3. Fig. 3 shows Nage rotating Uke's wrist for Shiho Nage.

Example 1, Shiho Nage Irimi

Movie of Example 1.

Fig. 4 Starting Hold Fig. 5 1st Irimi Step Fig. 6 Shiho Nage grip

  • Fig. 4 shows the partners after the initial grab. The hands are like Fig. 2.

  • Fig. 5 shows the 1st Irimi step. In the new version Nage's head goes under Uke's arm. Uke's arm is twisted so that Uke's thumb is down so that Uke's body is turned away from Nage as Nage enters.

  • Fig. 6 shows the detail of Nage's grip on Uke during Fig. 5.

    Fig. 7 2nd Irimi Step Fig. 8 Arm Over head Fig. 9 Detail of Hand Twist

  • Fig. 7 shows the 2nd Irimi step. Many of the problems with the old Shiho Nage disappear with this method. It is much easier to do well.

  • In Fig. 8 Uke is falling.

  • Fig. 9 shows the detail of Nage's control of Uke's hand in Fig. 8.

  • For Uke's safety in practice and for devastating effect in application Uke's elbow must be folded so that Uke's hand is by Uke's body.

  • It is easy to think that the wrist bend is the primary factor in Shiho Nage but that is not correct. The wrist bend gives leverage but the wrist twist is the important operant factor.

  • In Fig. 9 Uke's hand is rotated clockwise about it's axis as seen from above. This causes Uke to bend back adding considerable power to the throw and helping to unbalance Uke if the balance was not taken earlier. It is very important to continue this twist in Fig. 10 to prevent Uke's rolling over Uke's left shoulder to escape.

    Fig. 10 Pin Position Fig. 11 Catch Opposite Arm

  • Fig. 10 shows the pin as Uke hits the floor. Nage's knee is in Uke's ribs. Partly this is because every technique is the same and we like to have the knee come down on Uke. Partly it is to prevent Uke from rolling out of the pin. In a real confrontation it is not desirable for Nage's knees to be dropping on an unknown surface.

  • The main factor preventing Uke from rolling out is the wrist twist continued from the standing position. The wrist bend tends to make Uke roll away from Nage and the wrist twist tends to make Uke role towards Nage. It also helps to point Uke's fingers up above Uke's head. Some people say it is not possible to pin Shiho Nage. The pin is to throw Uke hard. Try this and see what you think Uke can be pinned. Be careful!

  • When in the Shiho Nage pin it is easy for a flexible Uke to Kick Nage in the head so be aware of this and keep your head down and towards Uke's head.

  • Fig. 11 shows the 1st part of the role over. In a real situation there is no submission. If Nage stops here Uke either had to be thrown so hard Uke can no longer fight or Nage must now break Uke's arm. The alternative is to release Uke to attack Nage again. Not good! It is better to role Uke over and tie Uke up. This satisfies Aikido ethics and the law.

  • In Fig. 11 Nage grabs Uke's opposite arm to turn Uke over. It may be necessary to slap Uke's face to get Uke to put the arm up.

    Fig. 12 Arm Behind Elbow Fig. 13 Sankyo Turn

  • Fig. 12 shows Uke's opposite arm pulled down behind Uke's near elbow. Nage is setting up a twist to turn Uke over. Sankyo works well.

  • Fig. 13 shows Nage using Sankyo to turn Uke over.

    Fig. 14 No Hands Pin

  • Fig. 14 shows Nage with Uke in a no hands pin which will enable Nage to use Hojo Jitsu to finish rather than damage Uke.

    Example 2, Shiho Nage Tenkan

    Movie of Example 2.

    Fig. 15 Start of Tenkan Fig. 16 1st Tenkan Step Fig. 17 2nd Tenkan Step

    1. Fig. 15 shows the Shiho Nage Tenkan at the point where the wrist is grabbed. The details of how the wrist is grabbed are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of Shiho Nage Irimi above.

    2. Fig. 16 shows the 1st Tenkan step. Tenkan is not as dangerous for Uke as Irimi but it is still important to lead Uke forward and twist Uke's wrist to break Uke's balance.

    3. Fig. 17 shows the 2nd Tenkan Step. As in the Irimi version it is important to continue to twist Uke's wrist. It is necessary to be sure Uke is off balance at this point.

      Fig. 18 Arm Over Head Fig. 19 Detail of Hand Twist Fig. 20 Pin Position

    4. Fig. 18 shows the position after Uke's arm is folded back. It is important to have Uke's arm near Uke's back to prevent injury to Uke's arm and to permit maximum combat effectiveness.

    5. In Fig. 19 Uke's hand is rotated clockwise about it's axis as seen from above. This causes Uke to bend back adding considerable power to the throw and helping to unbalance Uke if the balance was not taken earlier. It is very important to continue this twist in Fig. 20 to prevent Uke's rolling over Uke's left shoulder to escape.

    6. If the twist is applied in Fig. 18 and maintained at Fig. 20 Uke will know that Uke cannot roll out of the Shiho Nage without getting a broken wrist. If the Twist is applied later Uke may be injured!

    7. Fig. 20 shows the pin. This is just like Fig. 10 and the same considerations apply.

    Example 3, Old Shiho Nage Irimi

    Movie of Example 3.

    Fig. 21 Starting Hold Fig. 22 1st Irimi Step Fig. 23 Shiho Nage grip

  • Fig. 21 shows the partners after the initial grab. The hands are like Fig. 3.

  • Fig. 22 shows the 1st Irimi step. It is important that Nage's arms are extended and Uke's wrist is twisted so that Uke's thumb is down so that Uke's body is turned away from Nage as Nage enters.

  • Fig. 23 shows the detail of Nage's grip on Uke during Fig. 22.

    Fig. 24 2nd Irimi Step Fig. 25 Arm Over head Fig. 26 Detail of Hand Twist

  • Fig. 24 shows the 2nd Irimi step. It is important that Nage squats down while stepping in so that Uke's hand does not go much above Uke's shoulder. It is also important that Nage's hands are in front of Nage's head in the Furi Kaburu position. This insures that Uke will be off balance. Some Aikidoka think that they have to stretch Uke out so that Uke is uncomfortable. This is not the case. When done correctly Uke is not overly stretched but is off balance. The 2nd Irimi step needs to go back to the line of balance. This makes it easy for Uke to flow in front of Nage. If the step is not back to the balance line Nage's body will be in Uke's way.

  • In Fig. 25 Uke's right leg has gathered in some and Uke has carried Nage's arm over Uke's head.

  • Fig. 26 shows the detail of Nage's control of Uke's hand.

  • For Uke's safety in practice and for devastating effect in application Uke's elbow must be folded so that Uke's hand is by Uke's body.

  • It is easy to think that the wrist bend is the primary factor in Shiho Nage but that is not correct. The wrist bend gives leverage but the wrist twist is the important operant factor.

  • In Fig. 26 Uke's hand is rotated clockwise about it's axis as seen from above. This causes Uke to bend back adding considerable power to the throw and helping to unbalance Uke if the balance was not taken earlier. It is very important to continue this twist in Fig. 27 to prevent Uke's rolling over Uke's left shoulder to escape.

  • Fig. 27 shows the pin as Uke hits the floor. Nage's knee is in Uke's ribs. Partly this is because every technique is the same and we like to have the knee come down on Uke. Partly it is to prevent Uke from rolling out of the pin.
  • The main factor preventing Uke from rolling out is the wrist twist continued from the standing position. The wrist bend tends to make Uke roll away from Nage and the wrist twist tends to make Uke role towards Nage. Some people say it is not possible to pin Shiho Nage. The pin is to throw Uke hard. Try this and see what you think. Be careful!
    		•
    Fig. 27 Pin Position

  • When in the Shiho Nage pin it is easy for a flexible Uke to Kick Nage in the head so be aware of this and keep your head down and towards Uke's head.

    Example 4, Old Shiho Nage Tenkan

    Movie of Example 4.

    Fig. 28 Start of Tenkan Fig. 29 1st Tenkan Step Fig. 30 2nd Tenkan Step

    1. Fig. 28 shows the Shiho Nage Tenkan at the point where the wrist is grabbed. The details of how the wrist is grabbed are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of Shiho Nage Irimi above.

    2. Fig. 29 shows the 1st Tenkan step. Tenkan is not as dangerous for Uke as Irimi but it is still important to lead Uke forward and twist Uke's wrist to break Uke's balance.

    3. Fig. 30 shows the 2nd Tenkan Step. As in the Irimi version it is important to continue to twist Uke's wrist and for Nage's hands to stay in front of Nage's head in Furi Kaburu. It is necessary to be sure Uke is off balance at this point. Shiho Nage Tenkan can be very fast and there is no stress on Uke's body. If this is stressful for Uke at this point something is very wrong.

    4. It is also important that Nage stays low at this point. Nage's head should not be above Uke's shoulder. The example is a little strange because Uke is 8 inches taller than Nage.

      Fig. 31 Arm Over Head Fig. 32 Detail of Hand Position Fig. 33 Pin Position

    5. Fig. 31 shows the position after Uke's arm comes over Nage's head. A common mistake is for Nage's head to move back under Uke's arm rather than Nage's arm moving over Uke's head.

    6. In Fig. 31 the twist shown in Fig. 32 is very important. The twist helps break Uke's balance. If the twist is applied and maintained at this point Uke will know that Uke cannot roll out of the Shiho Nage without getting a broken wrist. If the Twist is applied later Uke may be injured!

    7. Fig. 33 shows the pin. This is just like Fig. 20 and the same considerations apply.

    < Previous

    AikiKuta.com    		 Contents --- Contents By Date

    Email: aiki@win.net    		 Next >

    Last Update 4/13/2008