Discover The Principle And Applications of Otoshi

discover the principle and applications of otoshi

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Let's talk principle first

Otoshi refers to all acts in a downward direction. To the dropping movement of your body, or arm for example.

In other words, otoshi is the principle of downward movement. 

However... that one-liner can lead to problems as it may cause you to focus on "the outside of your body" alone. 

(Hang on, will explain that in simple terms in a sec.)

First this:

  • Otoshi is dropping body movement
  • In combination with using gravity to your advantage.
  • Otoshi is also an important aspect of internal movement, as you should drop the body internally on impact (details up next).

And that's easier than you think once get you the hang of the timing — even a little bit.

Imagine the first move of Wado's Pinan Nidan, or a move that looks like that in your style.

Chinshinho

Let's go ahead to look at Otoshi Uke in this move from 3 angles.

1 — When you look AT the body dropping, you see knees bending, and the arm coming down.

2 — Next is timing. When you're a bit on your way, you can already use the gravity to your advantage, adding power without additional muscular force.

These two things are well known, "external" movement. So what about "internal" movement. Or internal energy? Seika Tanden, Hara, Seichushin... Consider this:

3 — When you look INSIDE the body, you see how the muscles shut down completely to unblock the knee — aka drop drastically, by bending INSTANTLY. With the duration of the sound of snapping your fingers, or clapping your hands 👏

Or as Nukina sensei put it: "The pulse of your heartbeat". 

At the same time, stabilise the core while your arm drops just at the right point in time. Shoulder first, then elbow, followed by the wrist (segment sequencing). Add proper breathing to the mix and voila: internal movement.

Now don't get me wrong... 

It takes years to polish the movement, EVEN when you know exactly what to focus on. And there's loads of other stuff that comes into play, compression for example (Chinshinho).

And there's one thing I didn't mention which needs clarification:

Internal body dropping, is dropping without dropping. Well... there is dropping, but it's pretty much invisible. It's done on a very small scale — with refined movement.

Something to look forward too 😃

Ishikawa sensei said that "Ohtsuka sensei's "block" didn't feel hard, but heavy".

Here's the good news: 

Once you start to master this, visible dropping included, you can creates heaviness in techniques without having to rely on muscular power — using gravity to your advantage.

Awesome right!

And by the way... did you notice?

So far, I've been shedding light on YOUR movement 👉 "BASICS"

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and that brings us to application of otoshi...

For this article, I'll limit myself to "Otoshi Uke".  Note that Otoshi Uke is not a name of a specific technique.

Let's check some examples from our Kata👇

  • Otoshi Osae Uke - dropping press block
  • Otoshi Tettsui Uke - dropping hammerfist block
  • Otoshi Ude Uke - dropping arm block
  • Suikomi Otoshi Uke - absorbing drop block

otoshi osae uke

This movement is from Wanshu. 'Block' down with the palm of the hand in a pressing manner (not pulling).

Shotei Otoshi Uke

otoshi tettsui uke

From Pinan Nidan, with emphasis on using the bottom of the fist.

The Digi Dojo - Uke Waza - Otoshi Uke3

otoshi ude uke

You can use the palm of the hand if you want to grab right away, or the arm in general.

The Digi Dojo - Uke Waza - Otoshi Uke2

suikomi otoshi uke

Absorb the attack on roll on top of it. This way is exceptionally good in combination with techniques like Uraken. 

The Digi Dojo - Uke Waza - Suikomi Uke

sanbon kumite chudan uke 7

Here's a Sanbon Kumite from Ishikawa sensei — one of my favourites! It's not only a favourite because "I like it". but even more so because when you start to FEEL body dropping in Junzuki stance you know you're well on your way.

The_Digi_Dojo_Sambon_Kumite_Chudan_Uke_1_Uchi_Uke_1

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The_Digi_Dojo_Sambon_Kumite_Chudan_Uke_1_Uchi_Uke_2

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The_Digi_Dojo_Sambon_Kumite_Chudan_Uke_1_Uchi_Uke_3

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Otoshi Uke

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Meotode Otoshi Uke & Tateken

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Sanbon Kumite Chudan Uke 7 videos

performance

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slow

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explanation

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in the dojo 2006

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ippon kumite tsuki uke 10

performance

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sAKAGAMI SENSEI
pinan nidan otoshi uke

Sakagami sensei

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how many otoshi uke do you know?

There's not just one... there are MANY. How many do you know?

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what is otoshi?

Let's get this stuff to Pro level shall we?

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otoshi is used for defense in ippon kumite 3

The benefit of an "easy" kumite is that you can focus on the quality of the technique. Otoshi Uke has details that are best practised in a form like this.

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this kumite is great feedback as you know right away whether you are on track or not because of one simple thing

Can you spot which one?

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now here's a TOTALLY DIFFERENT kind of otoshi uke

I would be surprised if you ever saw it...

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applications of otoshi uke

harai uke with otoshi

Whether is long or close range, you can still use Otoshi Uke. 

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meotode otoshi uke

You cannot always execute in a big movement, especially when it comes to close combat situations.

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otoshi uke with inasu

This video contains footage of my seminar in Germany 2015. As I explain Inasu, I show how this can be used for Otoshi Uke.

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THE MINI SERIES
stages of otoshi uke

HOW TO USE SEGMENT SEQUENCING

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HOW TO CONNECT ARM TO BODY MOVEMENT

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HOW TO MOVE FROM STATIC TO DYNAMIC MOVEMENT

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THE MINI SERIES
applications of otoshi uke

HOW TO TRANSFORM INTO HARAI UKE

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HOW TO APPLY NORU TO OTOSHI UKE

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HOW TO HARDWIRE OTOSHI UKE FOR FREE FIGHTING

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