The Process of Tachi Waza
by Sensei George Rego, FJJA

Tachiwaza, or the practice of formal throwing techniques is one of the central ingredients to the Jukido formula. It will undoubtedly take many hundreds of hours of training to "perfect" any given throwing technique, however; once the skill is acquired it is well worth the hours of rigorous (and many times frustrating) practice. The power and effectiveness of proper throwing techniques can end a confrontation very quickly and suddenly. Because of this, it is imperative that Jukido-ka take the practice of formal throwing with utmost seriousness.

Many students are too worried about the end result of a throw, rather then the process of the throw. The process is just as important as the end result. If one practices the process of tachiwaza, then the 'end result' will be correct as a result of following the process. The elements and process of tachiwaza are as follows:

KUZUSHI: This is the practice of breaking the uke's balance. I'm certain that all Kokondo-ka (Karate and Jukido) have heard their sensei explain this principle. In any case, it is important to never begin a throw without first breaking the uke's balance. In classical jujitsu systems, there are eight basic directions of off-balancing (happo-no-kuzushi). Learning the eight basic off-balancing directions (or if you like the "Jukido Clock" used in the Jukido Guidebook, 12 directions) is immensely important. When a person is properly unbalanced, despite weight, size, or strength, he can be thrown...that is if correct Tsukuri is in place.

TSUKURI: In order to execute any given throwing technique (kake), the entry into the throw and the relationship between the bodies of the tori and the uke (after the balance is broken-kuzushi) is extremely important. The tori's body must be in the best possible position to take advantage of the off-balancing (kuzushi) applied earlier as well as the leverage of the uke. Correct tsukuri is essential for a smooth, fast, and effective throw; especially if faced with a larger uke (or attacker). Again the process of tachiwaza, especially Tsukuri, should be the main focus of practice when learning a new throw. For the most part, if the correct Kuzushi is created and then later taken advantage of with correct Tsukuri, then proper Kake (execution of throw) is almost taken care of by itself. However, some fine points of kake are still essential to complete the Tachiwaza process.

KAKE: As mentioned previously, kake is the actual execution of the throw. This is what many students focus on primarily, while not paying the proper amount of attention to kuzushi and tsukuri. It is important to note that kake will never come (correct kake anyway) without kuzushi and tsukuri. Only after those two elements of the throw are used correctly should the student turn the attention over to executing or completing the throwing process. When executing the throw it is necessary for the tori to use his body in sync. To not do so is counter productive. Every throw focuses on specific portions of the body, however; the entire body moving in sync is absolutely essential. The throw might not be possible without the specific body part (hip, leg, etc.), but the body part can't throw the uke alone without all the elements and mechanics of the body working together in sync and with precise timing. In performing kake keep focused on the hara (center point of the body). Try to stay centered and to not bend at the waist. Rather then bending at the waist to keep balanced, keep your hara (center) forward and bend your knees. Secondly, keep your uke close. Without the proper amount of body contact, the uke won't go anywhere! Check your distance. If you are too far, go back and focus on tsukuri. Finally, perform the throw with full technique and commitment; smoothly and with no pause in between steps. Focus on keeping your spine erect and hara forward. This will ensure the proper protection for the uke and the maintaining of balance of the tori.