Aikido UK - In Schools - Hand Movements



HAND MOVEMENTS

There are five sets of hand movements in the modern system. The use of the hand-hip-action should still be emphasised. Unlike the original system both feet move as the hands move and the sweep actions are performed in pairs, Thus making the whole sequence more multi-purpose and efficient. Furthermore, each count of eight sequence is performed twice, before moving on to the next set.


"Aiki-Robics Demonstration" Foot & Hand Movements to Music	Hand movements Tandoku Undo

1a - Basic centre, sweep down (Shomen-uchi movement) 1b - Basic centre, sweep up (Shomen-ate movement) 2a - Inside sweep 2b - Outside sweep 3a - Inside turn 3b - Outside turn 4a - Inside sweep (arm/hip turn) 4b - Outside sweep (arm/hip turn) 5a - Forward major sweep left <anticlockwise> 5b - Forward major sweep right <clockwise> 5c - Backward major sweep left 5d - Backward major sweep right
Starting with the left hand, each set is performed to the count of eight. Start and finish in Basic Front Posture. The movements of the feet should be quick, light and relatively small, ensuring that both feet are fully contacting the mat during pauses. Throughout the movements the feet must maintain a shoulder-width-apart distance and be kept close to the mat; use a gliding or sweeping action. The hands should co-ordinate with the feet and when not being used should rest lightly on the hip with the fingers extended and pointing slightly downwards.

1a) BASIC CENTRE, SWEEP DOWN COUNTING "ONE": Extend the left arm forward through centre and up to above the head. Cut down with the hand-blade to head height. At the same time step forward with the left foot, immediately bring forward the right foot behind the left. The feet must be in full contact with the mat and a shoulder width apart. COUNTING "TWO": Step backwards with the right foot then immediately bring backwards the left foot. Maintain the relative feet positioning (left in front of right a shoulder width apart). At the same time that the left foot moves drop the left hand-blade back into low centre. 1b) BASIC CENTRE, SWEEP UP COUNTING "THREE": Extend the left handblade forward to shoulder height. At the same time step forward with the left foot, immediately bring forward the right foot behind the left. The feet must be in full contact with the mat and a shoulder width apart. COUNTING "FOUR". Return to Basic Front Posture by stepping backwards with the right then left foot and dropping the left arm to the side. COUNTING "FIVE, "SIX", "SEVEN" & "EIGHT": Repeat the sequence 1, 2, 3, 4 starting with the right hand and foot on the right side. After completing all eight counts left then right, repeat the Basic Centre Sweeps again (section 1a & 1b). 2a) INSIDE SWEEP COUNTING "ONE": Extend left arm so that it is down, palm facing outwards. Take the arm upwards, palm up, in a large arc towards the right shoulder. Continue the circle downwards, palm down, extend the left arm forward to shoulder level with palm facing outwards, fingers pointing up. At the same time take a step forward with the left foot. Immediately bring forward the right foot behind the left. The feet must be in full contact with the mat and a shoulder width apart. COUNTING "TWO". Step backwards with the right foot then immediately bring backwards the left foot. Maintain the relative feet positioning (left in front of right a shoulder width apart). At the same time that the left foot moves raise the left hand-blade back to above the head. 2b) OUTSIDE SWEEP COUNTING "THREE". Rotate the left arm in a circular movement, starting over the head, continuing round to the left. Extend the left arm forward to shoulder level with palm facing upwards. At the same time take a step forward with the left foot. Immediately bring forward the right foot behind the left. The feet must be in full contact with the mat and a shoulder width apart. COUNTING "FOUR" Return to Basic Front Posture by stepping backwards with the right then left foot and dropping the left arm to the side. COUNTING "FIVE", "SIX", "SEVEN" & "EIGHT". Repeat the sequence 1, 2, 3, 4 starting with the right hand and foot on the right side. After completing all eight counts left then right, repeat the inside and outside sweep sections again. 3a) INSIDE TURN COUNTING "ONE". Move the left arm up in an arc so that it is extended forward at shoulder level, with the palm facing outwards, thumb down. At the same time take a step forward with the left foot. Immediately bring forward the right foot behind the left. The feet must be in full contact with the mat and a shoulder width apart. COUNTING "TWO". Move the left arm down in an arc, so that it finishes centrally across the stomach, palm up. At the same time, step backwards with the right foot then immediately bring backwards the left foot. Maintain the relative feet positioning (left in front of right, a shoulder width apart). 3b) OUTSIDE TURN COUNTING "THREE". Extend the left arm forward to shoulder level with palm facing upwards. At the same time take a step forward with the left foot. Immediately bring forward the right foot behind the left. The feet must be in full contact with the mat and a shoulder width apart. COUNTING "FOUR". Return to Basic Front Posture. COUNTING "FIVE", "SIX" and "SEVEN": Repeat with the right hand with the feet in right posture. COUNTING "EIGHT". Return to Basic Front Posture. After completing all eight counts left then right, repeat the whole section again. 4a) INSIDE SWEEP (arm/hip turn) COUNTING "ONE": Raise left arm straight out in front at shoulder level, palm up. At the same time take a step forward with the right foot. COUNTING "TWO". Hip-turn to the left, rotating 180 degrees, to face the opposite direction. The hand-blade cuts down through centre, in an arc, rising up to shoulder level as the body swivels. Finish with palm facing outwards, thumb down. 4b) OUTSIDE SWEEP (arm/hip turn) COUNTING "THREE". Hip turn to the right, rotating 180 degrees, to face the front. The hand-blade cuts down through centre, in an arc, rising up to shoulder level as the body swivels. Finish with palm facing upwards. COUNTING "FOUR": Return to Basic Front Posture. COUNTING "FIVE", "SIX" and "SEVEN". Repeat Arm Hip Turn, starting with the right hand and left foot. COUNTING "EIGHT". Return to Basic Front Posture. After completing all eight counts left then right, repeat the whole section again. 5a) FORWARD MAJOR SWEEP LEFT <anticlockwise> COUNTING "ONE". Take a step forward with the right foot to the left front, forming a right angle with the left foot, transferring the weight on to the ball of the right foot. At the same time circle the left hand up, cutting edge towards the face. COUNTING "TWO": Drive the arm up, turning the palm out, thumb down scribing and arc as the left hand returns to the left side. At the same time, Hip-turn to face the opposite direction. 5b) FORWARD MAJOR SWEEP RIGHT <clockwise> COUNTING "THREE". Take a step forward with the left foot to the right (front), forming a right angle with the right foot, transferring the weight on to the ball of the left foot. At the same time circle the right hand up, cutting edge towards the face. COUNTING "FOUR": Drive the arm up, turning the palm out, thumb down scribing and arc as the right hand returns to the right side. At the same time, Hip-turn to face the opposite direction. Returning to Basic Front Posture. 5c) BACKWARD MAJOR SWEEP LEFT COUNTING "FIVE": Circle the left arm around towards the right hip and step back, turning through 90 degrees to the left rear. COUNTING "SIX": Drive the left arm up and in a big arc, hand-blade cutting towards the front (left tegatana posture). At the same time hip-turn, anti-clockwise. Between the count move to Basic Front Posture and then into right posture. 5d) BACKWARD MAJOR SWEEP RIGHT COUNTING "SEVEN": Circle the right arm around towards the left hip and step back, turning through 90 degrees to the right rear. COUNTING "EIGHT": ": Drive the right arm up and in a big arc, hand-blade cutting towards the front (right tegatana posture). At the same time hip-turn, clockwise. Return to Basic Front Posture After completing all eight counts left then right, repeat the whole section again.