Randori: How to enjoy it. By Alan Higgs

Shodoho No.10 15th August, 2003

Randori is not shiai. It is a chance to practice with a partner in situations when the partner resists (sensibly and safely of course !!) or does something unexpected, forcing the players to think of something quickly to suit the situation. It is both unsafe and unethical to think of winning when practicing randori.

Though it is true that randori is training for shiai, it is equally true that it is budo training for goshin jitsu (self defense). In fact if randori is practiced more with “budo principles ” in mind rather than thinking about getting points, I think we would see a more effective style of shiai suitable both for sport and for goshin jitsu. Let’s look at some budo points to consider when you do randori:

Kunde / Hanarete
Kunde describes the Judo circumstance. Close contact with your opponent is when Judo waza are effective.

Hanarete describes the Aikido circumstance. Keeping a safe distance (maai) and applying techniques as the opponent reaches out to attack is when aikido waza is truly effective. Maai is most important for aikido techniques.

Ma ai
Dancing around the dojo holding your opponents arm and facing him face to face is utterly ridiculous.
Considering budo principles a judo player can feel any leg or hand attack coming and can immediately unbalance his opponent because his waza and his position were designed for the close situation (kunde). On the other hand, the aikido player can easily be kicked, hit or have his legs swept (ashi barai) because he is too close and he doesn`t have full control over his opponents balance when standing directly in front of his opponent. Practicing randori in this way brings no benefit if you wish to prepare for a real goshin (self-defense ) situation.

Considering the shiai then, which is more or less real fighting but with a referee for safety. What good is achieved by the person who dances with his opponent close enough to be kicked or hit, but wins the shiai because somehow he manages to perform a good technique and gets one or two ippon ? Because of his unsafe close position this player would have been defeated by his opponent in reality so is it correct to call him a winner ?

So when you practice randori, consider the above advice and also practice different skills rather than fight just to beat your training partner. Practice your timing, tsukuri, ma ai, metsuke, renzoku waza (combinations) with your partner and help him do the same during your randori.. Above all, be honest about whether your randori practice is realistic or not from the point of Budo principle. Then you may win your next shiai well

Just looked at this page again and the article seems to have righted itself. My apologies!!!!
Alan H

Quisiera agradecer a ustedes y a toda la gente de aikido por estos dos años de las clases tan interesantes que he recibido.
Un abrazo fuerte y les deseo un día precioso!