Irimi Off Balance

Fig. 1 Entry Step With Strike To Front.		Fig. 2 Basic Irimi.

Irimi is the most basic movement in Aikido. Fig. 1 shows Nage's Entry strike. Fig. 2 shows the Irimi step where Nage takes Uke's Balance. The examples in this section are to Uke's front (Omote), but Irimi can also be done with the same foot work to Uke's back side (Ura). Important points here are:

1. In Fig. 1 Nage starts on the attack line and Nage's lead foot ends on the attack line.

2. This requires Nage's leg to brush against Uke disturbing Uke's balance.

3. Nage's right foot rotates for step 2.

4. Nage's hands connect Nage and Uke in one of many ways.

Example 1, Shomen Uchi Irimi.

Movie of Example 1.

Fig. 3 Ikkyo Start		Fig. 4 Entry Strike		Fig. 5 End of Irimi Off Balance

Fig. 6 Wrap Uke around Nage		Fig. 7 Finish applied Ikkyo

Example 1 is Ikkyo. Ikkyo is a basic movement in Aikido where Uke's elbow is pointed up during the Off Balance. Ikkyo is considered a technique but it is also much more. It provides the fundamental movement for many Aikido throws.

There are several important points in this sequence without considering technique:

1. In Fig. 3 there is considerable space between Nage and Uke. This gives Nage more time to respond and minimizes the chance of an attack.

2. In Fig. 4 Uke's arm has come up for the attack protecting Uke's face. Nage therefore takes the arm as the target of opportunity.

3. Nage starts moving as soon as Uke starts moving so that both arms are moving up. This ideal timing is an attack into Uke's preparation to attack.

4. In Fig. 5 the second step takes Uke down onto Uke's face. Nage has brought Uke's arm against Nage's thigh to break Uke's fall. This protective measure makes hard fast practice possible and gives good control of the Irimi. This completes the Irimi move. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show the applied finish of Ikkyo.

5. In Fig. 6 Uke is being wrapped around Nage as the throw is completed so that Uke can be controlled.

6. In Fig. 6 Uke's legs are under Uke's torso. Nage takes a large step forward to Fig. 7. This flattens Uke on the floor so that Nage can safely apply an arm bar.

7. In Fig. 7 Nage's right knee is on Uke's shoulder. From this position Uke is likely to injure Uke's elbow or shoulder if Uke tries to fight. Nage is still standing so that if necessary other attackers can be engaged.

Example 2.

Fig. 8 Start of Waki Gatame		Fig. 9 Entry Strike		Fig. 10 Step 2, Off Balance

Fig. 11 Step 3, Waki Gatami		Fig. 12 Step 4, Higi Game

Example 2 is Waki Gatame. Waki Gatame is a Judo armbar but it is essentially the same as the Off Balance with Uke's elbow down. This is another basic movement that can setup nearly any Aikido throw. Waki Gatame is usually used as a transition technique to other Aikido techniques. Here is a movie of Example 2.

The important considerations here are similar to the considerations in Ikkyo:

1. In Fig. 8 Nage and Uke are far enough apart that their weapons (In this case arms) will not quite touch.

2. Fig. 9 shows the Entry Strike. Uke is also doing Aikido and he knows that Nage is going to strike when Uke strikes so Uke protects Uke's face with the striking arm.

3. It is important that Nage is striking with the hand that is closest to Uke.

4. Fig. 10 is the end of the Off Balance step. Here Nage's arm has gone over Uke's arm pushing the elbow down. Contrast this with Fig. 5 in the elbow up form where Nage's hand has pushed Uke's elbow up.

5. In Fig. 11 Nage has taken a left step forward to complete Waki Gatame. This can be done as an armbar finish but this sequence shows transitioning to another technique.

6. Fig. 11 also shows that Nage protects Uke by catching Uke's arm on Nage's Upper leg. Nage has also wrapped Uke around Nage.

7. Fig. 12 shows Higi Game. Higi Game is similar to Waki Gatame. Higi Game includes a Nikkyo like wrist lock and changes the angle of the arm. In Higi Game the arm is locked straight and in Nikkyo the arm is bent.

There are a few other basic Aikido Methods for Using the Off Balance from Irimi but this should convey the idea.