by Phillip
Starr
Yes,
there's a right and a wrong way to regard and subsequently use your
partner when you practice three or one-step fighting routines and
even freestyle sparring. I have written a couple of articles about
how the uke should perform. How he performs is crucial to the
development of his partner (the receiver, called tori or shite). If
his partner is a novice, he should refrain from applying much power;
he should “tone down” his attacking technique appropriately,
depending upon the skill level of his partner. And one extremely
important point is this; he must have the intention (yi) of smacking
his partner in the mouth (or wherever) and injuring him. This
doesn't mean that he HAS to really attempt to do so. Rather, it
means that he must have the INTENTION of doing so, even if he and his
partner are good friends outside of the training hall. His partner
must learn to FEEL an aggressor's hostile intention (yi). Without
that, the attack isn't real and he will never develop this special
skill. As the
nage's (the receiver) level of skill increases, so should the
attacker deliver his technique(s) with greater degrees of power
until, at a higher level, he actually DOES try to knock nage down.
This is why the attacker should never just “lob” his techniques
out there. He should execute them correctly and with a serious
approach.
But the
receiver should not regard the uke simply as a “dummy” of sorts;
someone upon whom he can practice various techniques. It is well to
look upon the uke as a mirror. This mirror will reflect your weak
points – in your technique, mind, and spirit. In that mirror you
will see your flaws and fears. Seeing and identifying them will
allow you to correct them. If the mirror is dirty or warped, the
reflected images will not be very accurate. It's necessary that you
“polish” it from time to time.
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