Attack Into Preparation

Attack Into The Preparation means to attack as your opponent prepares to attack.

O'Sensei, the founder of Aikido had a saying: Brandishing his sword, My enemy in front, Prepares to attack, But behind him, I am already standing. This sounds like some kind of oriental mysticism but he is just saying to attack as your partner prepares to attack. This is illustrated in Aikido with the following exercise.

In the following pictures the swordsmen are too close in order to compose the picture. They should be spaced so that their extended swords will not touch. Then the attacker has to really step forward making the counter easy. In this exercise the defender does not go behind. We will get to that soon.

Attack Into Preparation is used in Fencing and other fighting systems. It is also used in Aikido even though Aikido is not fighting. This technique is sort of a bridge between the two disciplines.

Example 1, Attack Into Preparation

Movie of Attack Into Preparation.

Fig. 1 Start

1. Fig. 1 shows the start position with the two swordsmen facing each other.

   Fig. 2 Raise Sword	Fig. 3 Counter

2. In Fig. 2 the swordsman on the right is raising his sword in preparation to attack.
3. In Fig. 3 the swordsman on the left has stepped forward stabbing the attacker in the throat.