Kata-dori Men-uchi - Kotegaeshi
Introduction:
Kata-dori Men-uchi refers to a shoulder grab followed by a strike to the head, and Kotegaeshi is a wrist-turning technique often translated as "wrist outward turn" or "forearm return". In Aikido, the goal is often to blend with and redirect the attacker's energy rather than clashing against it.
Steps:
Initial Position: Tori (the defender) stands in a relaxed posture. Uke (the attacker) prepares to grab the shoulder of the Tori with one hand (Kata-dori) and strike the head (Men-uchi) with the other.
Blending with the Attack: As Uke moves in to grab and strike, Tori pivots to one side, ideally turning the front foot outwards. This motion allows Tori to enter the attacker's space and blend with the incoming energy, avoiding the Men-uchi strike.
Capturing the Attacking Hand: While pivoting, Tori captures Uke's striking hand by using their opposite hand, making sure to grip Uke's wrist.
Setting Up for Kotegaeshi: Tori then repositions their other hand under the attacker's grasped wrist, fingers pointing up and palm facing toward themselves. This setup is crucial for the Kotegaeshi technique.
Executing Kotegaeshi: Tori twists Uke's wrist outward and downward, creating a spiral motion. This action uses the principle of "unbendable arm" by leveraging the wrist against the elbow, making it difficult for Uke to resist.
Unbalancing the Attacker: As Tori continues the twisting motion, Uke's balance is disrupted. Their body is forced to follow the direction of the wrist turn, usually leading them into a forward roll or fall.
Completion: Once Uke is on the ground, Tori can establish control, often by maintaining the wrist lock or pinning. Depending on the situation or training, Tori might also opt to release the wrist and create distance.
Key Points:
Maintain your center and stay relaxed throughout the technique.
The effectiveness of Kotegaeshi comes from proper hand positioning, fluid motion, and understanding of Uke's balance rather than brute force.
Safety is paramount. Ensure that Uke knows how to fall safely and that you execute the technique with care.