Any othe ninjas have trouble with this one?

[Ninja in training]

I've been studying ninpo for quite some time. I like to think my technique is pretty good. However I seem to have developed a problem with "Ganseki Nage". I was demonstrating this throw to some of our students under the watchful eyes of my "sensei". He then taps me on the shoulder and says "go try that on him". He is pointing to the student that I affectionately refer to as "TRIPPLE H". His real name is John but he is nasty big. The point is, I couldn't budge him. Not even alittle bit. Frustrated I tried harder which only made it worse. "To much muscle" Sensei says to me. I try again......and fail. So my sensei steps up and throws him down like nothing, and says to me "Do it like that" ........I thought I was. I was taught this throw two years ago, and could do it to anyone. But for whatever reason, It's gone. I have a black belt exam coming up in two to three months and I could use some direction other than "TO MUCH MUSCLE"

Much appreciated
Any othe ninjas have trouble with this one? Or is it just me?

[Jay Bell]

My opinion - Ganseki Nage is the most difficult of the core kihon happo.

[AndrewSimonsen]

Just throwing a stone here, but do you have proper hip allignment and foot placement. Those can make a big difference as most any wrestler or Judoka can tell you.

[Ninja in training]

My opinion - Ganseki Nage is the most difficult of the core kihon happo.
It took me less time to figure out how to tie my Hakama correctly.
hehe

[Ninja in training]

I think my problem might be up around the shoulders.......I have a tendancy to try to match strength with my opponent. And strength isn't a good substitute for bad technique

[Dale Seago]

I think my problem might be up around the shoulders.......I have a tendancy to try to match strength with my opponent. And strength isn't a good substitute for bad technique

I agree with Jay, above.

From what you just said here, it sounds like you may be "pushing" on your uke's extended arm, when you should be using your body to pull him.

Let's say, for instance, that you're trying to perform the "original recipe" densho kihon technique where uke grabs your forearm or your sleeve in that area. You shift over, drawing his balance out and bringing his arm up to position. Now you step over in front of his leg and twist your body, right?

Well, not exactly.

Um, you know how you do that uke nagashi strike thingy to someone's punching arm or wrist? It's that body movement that comes next. If he's punching with his right and you're striking with your left, your strike is not done by pushing your fist into his arm: It's done by sharply pulling your left hip in, setting up a whipping rotation of the spine which "whips" the fist into his arm -- in a pulling movement. If you're doing that correctly, you should also be able to do it with a doubled obi held at your chest with your right hand, with a knot at the end at the length of your left arm, hitting uke's arm with the knot. . .In other words, it's not done with arm strength.

Now back to ganseki: Once his arm is in position and his balance is drawn, you make that same movement with your left hip and body, only smaller and more subtly. That "pulls" him out slightly over his forward "weak line of balance" and lets you "shape the space" so that you can step in front of his leg and turn out. What creates the throw is, yet again, a pull with the left hip and side, not a push with the right. If you push, uke can easily feel what you're doing and counter; if you're doing things correctly it's very difficult for him.

Our taijutsu is filled with this kind of thing, where what an external observer would think is being done is very different from what is actually happening.

[Dale Seago]

P.S. --

With a little thought and experimentation, you can figure out where and how the movement I described above applies in all the rest of the kihon happo techniques as well.

;)

[Ninja in training]

P.S. --

With a little thought and experimentation, you can figure out where and how the movement I described above applies in all the rest of the kihon happo techniques as well.

;)
I appreciate the detail in your explanation Dale. I will be mindfull of your tips when the group gets together again.

[Tenchu28]

Ganseki Nage is probably one of the hardest throws I have ever experienced. As a small person well in height that is.(I am only about 5'5 ) I know the importance of taking the uke balance for this throw. If you are having problems throwing someone with Ganseki its probably because you havent taken their balance properly.If you have ever seen any akijujitsu they talk alot about useing the triangle theory of balance. Which is this take a straight line from the toes of both feet at a 45 degree angle and where both lines intersect is the spot where the balance is taken Bud Malstrom talks about this alot in his seminars also.Ok so back to Ganseki Nage if you can visually find that balance spot right before you attempt the throw then you will be able to find proper angle and distance to move too.If you have problems with Ganseki dont get discouraged it takes time.I myself had the hardest time with it I thought I was never going to be able to do it correctly but hey after almost 10 yrs I think I have finally began to grasp the basic concept of the throw.Lord know though I have a LONG way to go. I hope this didnt confuse you too much and if you got any questions feel free to ask.....

[Ninja in training]

Ganseki Nage is probably one of the hardest throws I have ever experienced. As a small person well in height that is.(I am only about 5'5 ) I know the importance of taking the uke balance for this throw. If you are having problems throwing someone with Ganseki its probably because you havent taken their balance properly.If you have ever seen any akijujitsu they talk alot about useing the triangle theory of balance. Which is this take a straight line from the toes of both feet at a 45 degree angle and where both lines intersect is the spot where the balance is taken Bud Malstrom talks about this alot in his seminars also.Ok so back to Ganseki Nage if you can visually find that balance spot right before you attempt the throw then you will be able to find proper angle and distance to move too.If you have problems with Ganseki dont get discouraged it takes time.I myself had the hardest time with it I thought I was never going to be able to do it correctly but hey after almost 10 yrs I think I have finally began to grasp the basic concept of the throw.Lord know though I have a LONG way to go. I hope this didnt confuse you too much and if you got any questions feel free to ask.....
10 years eh?...........just beautiful
but thanks just the same :bow: