Looking for help

**Mekugi** · 04-28-2012, 21:44

The one young man I an having trouble with is a southpaw. He's really messing up my perspective- obviously they have trained this into him as an advantage. His newaza sucks...but he is learning QUICKLY. My time is ticking..I need to start bending and sprawling drills.

In another note...regarding the makikomi...since I am taller, should I wrap my arm around his arm or around his neck? His stiff arm will draw diagonally across my chest to my hip...maybe I should experiment?

**Mekugi** · 04-28-2012, 22:01

By the way...MAJOR THANKS. These posts are giving me all kinds of tools. I may sound "defeatist" in some of my replies, but I am trying to work this out in my head. Maybe the truth is my standup game is lacking because I was always working with slower, heavier adults (not maybe, that is the truth). I need to get around this. I realize now how lopsided my Judo is. Remedy coming!

**Mekugi** · 04-28-2012, 22:48

This month I changed jobs. I now work for a very large private school (from kindergarten to highschool). In the school system here, something called fureai (connecting) is emphasized. Sports activities after school are mandatory for most students (unless circumstances keep them from it). Kendo and Judo are on their sports rosters and they interest me, so I went for Judo. They have a large kendo club but Judo is a rough thing so not many kids try out or make it through (the level of commitment is amazing). So here I am.

No one is looking down in me (yet)! Judo is part of the education system, so it is a catholic "sports" activity. I have lots of questions so I am pulling info from many sides, it's been very fruitful, to be honest.

Originally Posted by Webmaster

So Russ, I was meaning to ask, but what's up with the Judo? Your Koryu buddies aren't going to start looking down their noses and disown you or something?

**Webmaster** · 04-28-2012, 23:01

Originally Posted by Mekugi

In another note...regarding the makikomi...since I am taller, should I wrap my arm around his arm or around his neck? His stiff arm will draw diagonally across my chest to my hip...maybe I should experiment?

Around the head and you've got Koshi Guruma. Not a makikomi, but more like the Aikido Koshi Nage. You can certainly do a Koshi Guruma if that floats your boat, but being taller is not going to make for an efficient throw. I find it works best on folks your own height or a little taller.

The makikomi on the other hand will work well even on shorter opponents. Wrap around his arm and pull REALLY tight. Think of your body as the spool and the arm as the thread. You literally want to wind their arm around your body using your tai sabaki and drive for the mat. You get good with it, and you'll be bouncing a fair number of your dojo mates around the mat.

**Mekugi** · 04-29-2012, 00:23

Got it. I've got some stuff to try now....yay!

**Mekugi** · 04-29-2012, 00:32

This is the type of seoinage they are using right here. http://youtu.be/iL71nZy0r1I
They literally drop to their knees on me (see 2:39) Just imagine the arm at the collar completely straight, like a feeler for me to push. As soon as I pull or break, they pull that arm back as fast as lightening and get away from me. They are afraid of being scrunched down.

**Webmaster** · 04-29-2012, 09:17

Originally Posted by Mekugi

This is the type of seoinage they are using right here. http://youtu.be/iL71nZy0r1I
They literally drop to their knees on me (see 2:39) Just imagine the arm at the collar completely straight, like a feeler for me to push. As soon as I pull or break, they pull that arm back as fast as lightening and get away from me. They are afraid of being scrunched down.

I thought that was how they were throwing you. Everything I mentioned applies and are defenses we commonly teach for this attack. A couple more things to try...

Try and stay inside of his grip. If they are reaching with their high grip, quickly reach to the inside of their grip to block them from turning the arm in for seoinage. If they let go of your collar and try to get to your inside as they attack, bump their hand away with either your own arm or by rolling your shoulder forward.

Also, when you assume your grip, keep your elbow in close. Try with both the arm that you grab his sleeve with and/or the collar. Once you grip the sleeve or collar, roll your arm inside so that your elbow rests against your torso. It effectively becomes your early warning and he has to be past it to throw. See below:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9Jmpmdy4aQ

Also, here are a couple more stiffarm defenses from Nick Lowry. If you get a chance, watch some of the other videos in his series. Most are very good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMiSWnB9AOo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4iW2cbn6WA