(ENG-Version)
Does Aikido need cross-training? Would Aikido really work in a real situation?
This question might well be one of the most often asked to teachers during a dinner or in the study of techniques involving strikes (Tsuki waza). It is a very controversial topic and after twelve years of experience in Judo and Jujitsu, I begin to wonder whether the majority of Aikidokas don't have mistaken ideas on how Aikido would work against martial artists from different disciplines or in situations not dealt with on the tatami.
Particularly, Aikidokas overestimate the atemi (defense strike) so grossly that they think it is a mere option to get “extra security”.
When I hear a partner say: “I've hit you;you can't resist!!” I tell myself that this guy has no idea of what full contact is about.
During my years in Japan,I've often come across strong athletes which were impossibly hard to take down in spite of strong punches squarely landing on their chins or of good combos; in the heat of the fighting, with the adrenalin pumping, with the excitement, with the fear, with the muscles hardened like a shield by the effort, they don't seem to feel anything. Anyone who have fought in a kick boxing match or even in a Judo tournament knows what I am talking about.
Fighters are the first to acknowledge the need for a serious study of strikes,of the body's vital spots,of grappling and of ground-fight because they are fully aware that you cannot rely on the hope of “lucky strikes” to achieve victory or survive.
At the beginning of my Budo studies I focused solely on Aikido for three years after which I started Judo and a bit of boxing; it was quite difficult to reconcile the concepts and the goals of so different disciplines but what kept me going was the will to acquire a wider and more modern view on the issues of self defense and aggression.
So I kept learning in Japan and now I strongly advise people to take several martial arts at the same time in order to open the mind and get ready for the stress of a real confrontation.
What once seemed to me almost unrelated pieces of knowledge are now becoming parts of a puzzle I am only starting to solve.
Writing this article gave me the idea to ask a kick boxer and MMA sempai of mine for a few days of one-to-one cross-training involving my Aikido,Judo,Jujitsu, his Thai boxing and MMA skills and experience;
the technical result was great and even strengthened our friendship as well as our mutual respect.
With the hope to meet Clément in France or Italy soon and teach a seminar together , I will report his personal opinion about out mutual experience of training:
"Hi !! I’m Clément, a french MMA fighter ! I had the chance to train and exchange several times with Nicola! I was impressed by his knowledge and skills and I learned a lot from him. We had interesting discussions about Martial Arts, especially about the weak points of each discipline (BJJ, Aikido, wrestling …) and here is the conclusion of my thoughts:
After watching a lot of Aikido videos and training with Nico and I came to think that Aikido is probably the most effective/merciless Martial Art.
Indeed, if a master of aikido can grab only a tiny part of your body he can control you/break you without even using strength. BUT, being only an Aikido master won’t be enough (at least that’s why I think) if you come to a real fight. Aikido must be combined with basic striking (to be able to check the low kicks and dodge the jabs) and BJJ (to be able to get up on your feet as fast as possible). Aikido is a noble Art and very effective when it comes to self defense in close range. But what happens if you can’t grab the opponent? That’s why the idea of combining MMA and Aikido during seminars is the best!
It will make all the students have a great time AND make them learn realistic ways to defend themselves!!!"
by Clément Gabry
(FRA-Version)
Réflexions sur les arts de combat pluridisciplinaires(Mixed Martial Arts:MMA) et l'Aikido
«Bonjour,je m'appelle Clément et je suis un pratiquant de MMA!
J'ai eu plusieurs fois la chance de m'entraîner et de discuter avec Nicolas!J'ai été impressionné par son talent, ses connaissances et j'ai beaucoup appris de lui. Nous avons eu d'intéressantes discussions sur les arts martiaux,tout particulièrement sur les carences de chaque discipline(Jujutsu brésilien,Aikido,lutte etc).Je vous livre ici les conclusions de mes réflexions:
Après avoir regardé une quantité de vidéos sur l'Aikido et m'être entrainé avec Nico,je me suis dit que l'Aikido était probablement l'art martial le plus efficace et le plus impitoyable.Il suffit à un maître d'Aikido de pouvoir saisir ne serait-ce qu'une infime partie du corps de l'adversaire pour le contrôler et le briser sans aucun effort;cependant je pense,et ça n'engage que moi, qu'en combat réel l'Aikido serait insuffisant même pour une «bête de l'Aikido».L'Aikido doit nécessairement faire appel aux rudiments fondamentaux des techniques de frappe tels que la parade des coups de pieds bas ou l'esquive des coups de poing. De même le pratiquant de Jujutsu brésilien doit savoir se relever le plus vite possible.
L'Aikido est un art noble et très efficace en combat rapproché,mais que faire quand l'adversaire est insaisissable?
La solution idéale c'est de combiner les arts de combat pluridisciplinaires(MMA) à l'Aikido dans les séminaires!Plus riches et plus variés les séminaires en seront d'autant plus intéressants ET apprendront aux participants le moyen réaliste de se défendre.»