Uke-Do: Being A Bad Uke + How To Be A Great Training Partner

Uke-Do (oo-kay-doh) is a term I personally coined to describe martial arts training partners (Uke) that perform ukemi “too well” usually while perform half-hearted and very unrealistic attacks. Although it can be found in any martial art, it’s a play-on-words regarding the art of Aikido (eye-key-doh) in which practitioners across its many styles often take on the role of Uke in a way that is detrimental to training and the art as opposed to beneficial. Aikido can be powerful yet beautiful and elegant martial art. Being proficient in Aikido demands hard work, determination, patience, and dedication.

We will discuss how being “too good” of an Uke can do more harm than good, how to be a “proper” uke, and how to “educate” a bad Uke. We will also explore how and when to utilize Uke-do during various points in training. For consistency, we will be using Aikido as our main point of reference even though all martial arts have Uke.

Terminology

“Uke” (oo-kay) is a Japanese noun shortened from the verb, “Ukeru”, meaning “to receive”. An Uke, in martial arts, refers to a person who receives a technique. It is also used as term meaning “block” since the action is “receiving” a strike or attack. Typically, the Uke will be the one initiating the attack, but this is not always the case. The roll of Nage and Uke often change throughout an encounter as sometimes the Uke becomes the Nage and vice versa. For paired training, however, the Uke will attack their training partner and end up submitting, getting hit, or being thrown in order for their partner to learn the martial art’s techniques.

“Nage” (nah-gay) means “throw”. From the verb “nageru”, it refers to a person who applies a technique to an Uke. It’s also used to name various types of throws such as Shiho-nage, Kokyu-nage, Koshi-nage, Irimi-nage, or Seoi-nage. Not every throwing technique incorporates “nage” into it’s name. Although some “nages” are throws in which the Uke is hoisted off the ground, some are simply techniques which make the Uke fall.

“Tori” (tor-ee) is from the verb “toru” meaning “to take” or “to choose”. It refers to someone who executes a technique. It also refers to “grabbing” as in katate-dori (arm grab) or eri-dori (collar/lapel grab). Different martial arts utilize either “Tori” or “Nage” and sometimes both. Keep in mind that the Japanese language will pronounce and spell words the same but will have different kanji. For example “tori 鳥” means bird and is the kanji you will look for when identifying a poultry dish in Japan. Meanwhile, “tori 取” means to perform technique in martial arts. Remember this while investigating various martial arts terms, especially since many martial arts terms are unique to the language and the average speaker may not understand the context and use. Ask a random Japanese speaker who does not practice martial arts what a “Shomenuchi” (top of head strike) is and they will be perplexed.

“Ukemi” (oo-keh-me) means “receiving body” or in simple terms, “falling”. Ukemi Waza (falling technique) is taught to martial artists from day one. Learning proper ways to fall will create a safe training atmosphere, prevent injury, and reduce the overall impact that martial arts can have on the body. This includes low break-falls, high break-falls, and rolling in all directions. It’s how we survive practice without injury while allowing a Nage to perform techniques without reservations. Learning ukemi is one of them most fundamental and important aspects of training a martial art which implements throws, joint manipulation, or takedowns.

Uke Dokie, Smokie

Let’s begin with explaining and illustrating the roll of Uke. An Uke’s main responsibility is to provide sensory and tactile feedback to the Nage so they can learn the dynamics of various situations. With this feedback, the Nage experiences that specific actions create specific reactions. Additionally, they will discover that specific actions will NOT always present specific reactions allowing them to experience a bit of chaos. This feedback must be authentic, probable, and realistic. If the feedback is a falsity, the Nage learns nothing useful and may expect that false result later. Uke should never give false feedback unless due to an immediate safety concern.

False feedback is when Uke gets an uppercut but doesn’t move or the Uke falls before the technique even happens without a concern for safety. Typically, an Uke’s focus is on performing proper ukemi so as to not injure themselves or the Nage. In the name of safety, an experienced Uke can detect errors either before or during poor technique and may stop the energy or ukemi prematurely to control the outcome. This could save Uke’s or Nage’s back, for example. Basically, if the Nage does not give you a reason to move, then don’t move, meaning do not react to a strike that wasn’t even close or a technique that is way off-course. Be honest and maintain integrity.

Next, providing the Nage with relevant energy or attacks depending on the goal of the exercise is crucial. If the goal is to train techniques with resistance, then Uke should resist with an appropriate intensity from which the Nage can learn. If the goal is softer blending and harmonizing, the Uke should attack with a modest amount of energy so the Nage can flow. Give the energy needed to practice properly.

Hard and fast attacks are very stressful and should not be used during drilling. This is, of course, unless the specific purpose of that drill is to inoculate stress to improve stress-based performance.

Conversely, the Uke should rarely attack with too much energy. When performing a push attack, you would never run at someone with arms extended out to push. Instead, you would charge the Nage in a realistic manner and only extend your arms to push when close enough to do so. I’ve witness many Aikido demonstrations, randori especially, where the Uke(s) trot towards Nage with arms out and a beautiful throw ensues.

Uke is to concentrate on training themselves to recover. They must become sensitive and familiar with the movements, techniques, strikes, kuzushi, etc. Along with the responsibilities listed above, an Uke’s primary objective, no matter at what level of training, is to recover. As the Uke gives their body to Nage, kuzushi will be applied and hence be put into awkward and compromising positions. This is goal of Nage because it’s difficult to attack with power and effectiveness when you’re off-balance. Therefore, the Uke must recognize when they are off-balance and recover from it and regain positioning adequate for defensive or offensive readiness. This idea will teach Uke how to detect when they are off-balance, even subtly, and how to move in order to regain balance. There are an infinite number of ways we can be positioned and off-balanced. The more frequently we experience different kuzushi, the better we become at recovering guards and postures. Now regarding Nage, as Uke is trying to recover balance for their own benefit, the Nage now has more to work with and experience. How fast Uke recovers must be relevant to the training exercise and goals. Variations are endless and unique. In a real situation, an attacker will try to stand back up if forced to bend over.

LET’S RECAPITULATE

Uke’s Role

Who’s a Good Uke? You are! Yes, you are!

Who just read that as if talking to a dog? This guy. So what exactly is a “great” Uke? Obviously, a great Uke will perform their role flawlessly as mentioned above. We must remember that being a great Uke takes time but hopefully this blog with help you achieve greatness sooner.

Don’t “Pre-Plan” Ukemi

A great Uke will not give a unrealistic and sacrificial attack just to accommodate the Nage’s defense or technique. I see this performed by practitioners often. They “pre-plan” their fall. Now, on one hand, we have exercises designed to teach technique and therefore the Uke must learn and take appropriate ukemi. On the other hand, Uke should not position themselves in a compromised position on purpose to “ready” themselves for any particular technique. I disagree with this method of practice for two reasons.

Anticipation or expectation of a particular technique is the last thing you’d want to do since it’s near impossible to predict what someone will do.

The other is that you are purposely setting your own kuzushi for the Nage which does not allow you to be ever ready for everything. When this happens, you limit your ability to adapt to henka waza (changing technique). If you begin ukemi and set-up for a back-fall and the Nage changes the technique, it could result in injury. As Uke, recovery is a priority, not the opposite.

I will now proceed to bashing some non-specified people or styles but only out of respectful disagreement. An example of this is Iriminage. Watch Aikido legend, Steven Seagal, perform this technique (for the record, Seagal is the reason I practice Aikido today and absolutely love his early theatrical work and contributions towards Aikido):

Even though this is from a movie, trust me, I see this done a lot in every day Aikido. And note that this is not a stuntman, it is one of Seagal’s top students. Put this video on “loop” and analyze it. The Uke’s attack is a kick immediately followed by a straight punch (tsuki). Now notice how the Uke steps in. Once the kicking foot (right foot) touches the ground, the punch follows, as it should. However, take a look at what the left foot does… feel free to slow it down if needed, but it actually steps in at the last second next to the right foot. This is an “ukemi set-up”. The Uke “expects” this iriminage to hit hard, and yes it does, so he places his feet in an ideal position in order to take safer ukemi. This is the Uke doing the technique for Nage. With footwork like this, Seagal wouldn’t have to do much for him to fall but of course, he capitalizes, which is the only good thing about this. After the kick and punch combo, once the Uke steps in with that back foot, he takes away realism, his own ability to react to a different technique, and his own balance which he would need to counter or continue attacking. For demonstration purposes, this is downright awesome. My main issue is when it’s taught as commonplace to attack in the manner. Iriminage works just fine and is better learned when someone is not throwing themselves for you. The next time Nage tries this exact move to someone not familiar with this ukemi, it will undoubtedly fail. This is the false feedback I mentioned before.

I Think I’m Falling For You

Similar to this concept of “pre-planning” ukemi geared for a specific technique, is performing ukemi or reacting to a technique without Nage doing it properly and effectively. A great Uke will only fall or submit once the pain or kuzushi warrants such responses. Again, only out of safety must this be done. Examples such as Uke having a bad shoulder or is being thrown in an awkward way hence they perform ukemi in a purposeful and pre-emptive manner. “Going for someone” is extremely detrimental for the learning process. It is false feedback. It will teach the Nage that the technique can be done half-ass and still work. “Going for someone” does not allow them to learn the mechanics and technical factors required to pull off such techniques. It will also teach Uke to submit or fall in anticipation instead of using sensitivity and flowing. If Nage’s technique is off, they need to know and the tactile feedback of submission or falling is going to reinforce that notion. And as mentioned before, if Nage stops mid-way or changes things up while the Uke decides to perform unnecessary ukemi, injuries can happen.

Striking and Attacking Properly

Striking and attacking, for the most part, is usually carried out by the Uke first. Great Uke will attack with the necessary speed, direction, attack, precision, energy, resistance, and intensity to fulfill the needs of the training exercise. These factors will all vary and be dependent on the level of student they are working with and what they are learning. A new student should not be getting fast and hard punches and grabs. With the exception of exercises designed for reaction, movement, or speed training. Upper-level students and blackbelts should have a mix of these variables according to what they’re learning. Attack properly and with some level of realism. Although anything can happen in this world, what is the likelihood of someone grabbing your shirt softly? Or performing a strike that never would’ve reached its intended target? Whether slow or fast, always try to maintain a sense of realism so that not only does the Nage sense this, but the Uke will be able pick up ways to tighten their approach and attack better.

Reacting Realistically & With Variation

When someone punches you in the gut, what is likely to happen? Well, unless you have Mike C’s 8-pack of highly defined abdominal muscles developed during his time raised in Sparta, you will probably bend over. This is an appropriate and realistic response to such a strike. When be counter-attacked by Nage, Uke will react in a manner consistent with normal human behaviour. Simple right? Not quite. This is what an average Uke will do and that is the most we can ask for. A great Uke, however, goes beyond what is asked of them. Great Uke will be able to give several different responses to the same attack. For example, when punched in the gut, Uke will bend over but with variation in angle. They could bend over slightly, drop down in pain, or anywhere in-between. This will prompt Nage to engage dynamically as different reactions and energies will prompt different techniques. Now what if they don’t bend over and keep coming? That’s realistic too. How about if they turn away from or in to Nage while bending over? Uke could even grab onto Nage since Ma-ai is equal. As long as the reaction is plausible, Uke will be awesome. If punched in the gut an Uke’s head goes back, that is obviously not likely to happen. Along with all of this, remember Uke’s role of “Recovery”. If pulled down, get back up. If bent backwards, lean forward or step back to regain center. This present new dynamic situations for both Uke and Nage to experience together.

Appropriate Resistance

Resistance is how injuries are made and it does not help when learning technical movements in the beginning. Resistance needs to be organized and calculated. Only resist when required. When resistance is being trained, resist just enough for the Nage to learn. Nage cannot always learn new material against resistance. Uke must alter the level of resistance to accommodate Nage. If resistance is performed at the wrong time, it could result in Nage overcompensating and overpowering a technique. Resistance typically requires people to tighten-up. When techniques are performed on resisting and tense areas, injuries are more likely to occur. Uke will need to be on top of their game when utilizing resistance. It shortens reaction times and limits range-of-motion in joints. Being loose while being Uke is very beneficial to learn sensitivity and being able to ukemi well. Resistance can also come in the form of blocking, weaving, or maneuvering to avoid Nage’s attempts at kuzushi. Again, only apply these methods of resistance when appropriate.

A Great Uke Never Stops Moving

As Uke, especially during technical training or for beginner students, it’s normal and accepted that an Uke steps in with a punch slowly with good form and stands still, arm extended. Although not realistic to just stay still, it provides Nage time to analyze angles, weaknesses, off-balance points, vulnerabilities, openings, and to set-up techniques. But not too far beyond beginner level or learning new and specific ideas, the Uke must never stop moving. “How ev’r doth thee mean, Sire”? When Uke attacks with, let’s say a straight punch to the chinny chin chin, they will not stand completely still until Nage does something. Granted, Nage should already be promoting kuzushi, moving, etc, but when they do not do something to disrupt the Uke’s attack, the Uke must respond according to the guidelines listed throughout this blog. An acceptable and probable “next move” would be to throw a second strike, turn towards the Nage, or even grab Nage. If Nage does disrupt Uke, then the Uke should respond by continuing to attack Nage. Now remember that this is all in accordance to experience level of Nage and purpose of the drill. If the exercise only calls for “one” strike or attack, then the subsequent attacks will be slower. This concept prevents the Uke from developing a bad habit of just standing still and engages them to find new ways to attack and recover.

Whether slow or fast, just keep moving.

For Nage, they learn to expedite and not linger. The energy will be ever moving and dynamic which forces Nage to adjust “on the fly”. Naturally, a great Uke doing this will provide Nage with many more opportunities and variations from which to learn. Additionally, Uke should be keeping Nage on their toes so they don’t become complacent with safety. They must learn that if they don’t move or apply kuzushi and technique, they will get hit, grabbed, or taken down.

LET’S RECAPITULATE

Great Uke

Bad Uke! Bad Uke!

Being a bad uke is to take away the potential of learning something valuable from your training partner as well as yourself. We can be a bad Uke on purpose, sometimes, but only if the reason for it is understood and used as a method of instruction. Most of the time, however, this should not be the case. A bad Uke is not defined simply by inexperience. Instead, a bad Uke is something you become. I’d rather work with a brand new Uke than an experienced yet bad Uke. A bad Uke frustrates Nage and prevents them from exploring the art.

I have a personal example and this is from a “high-ranking” Aikido practitioner at my old dojo. This student would always attack me and respond to my defenses in the same manner. A strike towards to face but not close enough to make contact, and then look and turn away as I entered in. Another personal example is during Kempo Karate training, another student would attack me and constantly block my counter-strikes and entries, again, in a similar manner each time. Is that bad? Not necessarily. But then when I did eventually overcome their defenses, I was being “too rough”… well when your thwarting my every move during drills and sparring, it’s my job to get past your defenses and overwhelm you as Nage. I must prevail. I must adapt and overcome all challenges. I do not mind bad Uke at my level of understanding because I am comfortable with situational adaptation, but it gets boring real quick when Uke is not presenting me with new or appropriate reactions and kuzushi to explore.

Aikido, as a main example, is full of “bad” Uke. It’s half the reason Aikido is so misunderstood. In today’s world, YouTube, and Social Media, everyone is quick to make claims and to judge with wrong, little, or even no information. So when we add bad Uke into the mix, we now have demonstrations where the Uke is flying around all over the mat and the Nage is barely doing a thing. Four Uke are surrounding Nage in randori and the Nage is performing ineffective techniques and Uke are sent soaring or slammed to the tatami, all while “waiting their turn” to attack like zombies. Again, demonstrations and the beautiful martial “art” side of Aikido definitely warrants “some” bad Uke, just like a stuntman in an action film. However, the objections are usually in reference to practical application.

Many Aikidoka claim to high-heaven that Aikido can be and is very effective and I humbly agree with that statement. But preaching and demonstrating practical and effective self-defense USING a bad Uke is just wrong. Problem is that most don’t realize they are being bad Uke. It’s not their fault. We need to evaluate our Aikido to see if we violate some of the guidelines I’ve put forth. Just because Uke falls down with a hard iriminage or howls in pain from kotegaeshi or other lock does not mean it’s effective, it means Uke was compliant… and for good reason since you’re such a hardcore Nage and they simply don’t want to experience a practical iriminage across the face. The point is, if we want Aikido to be respected as a practical self-defense martial art, we must remove bad Uke from practical demonstration and replace them with Great Uke.

Uke, Uke… Settle Down Now. Don’t Worry, It’ll All Be Uke.

Let’s play spot the bad Uke… for your

Uke, Boomer…

Let’s take a look at some great Aikido, overall.