Advanced Close With Partner

The Advanced Close With Partner is occasionally taught in Aikido classes. These are safer because it is more difficult for Uke to hit Nage as Nage counter attacks. These Entries have much greater speed and power that the standard Entries. Because the entry has two steps Nage gets in much deeper. This normally eliminates the need for the Pendulum Step. The advanced entries are better suited to the pure Aiki taught in this book than to Aiki Jujitsu. The examples in this book use the basic Entries because most students are already familiar with the basic entries. It is easy to understand how to apply the advanced entries if you know the basic Entries.

Enter to Nage's Back Side

Fig. 1 1st Step		Fig. 2 2nd Step		Fig. 3 Adjust

1. Fig. 1 shows the 1st step with Nage's back (left) foot. This moves Nage to Nage's back or Ura side. It rotates Nage's hips counterclockwise getting Nage well off the line of attack. Nage's lead (right) hand swings up and strikes Uke's head at about this point as Nage jumps in for this step. The step with the back (left) foot is a little more awkward than the basic step making this move advanced.
2. Fig. 2 shows the end of the 2nd step that is made with Nage's (right) foot. This puts Nage in position for the throw. Nage's left hand normally strikes Uke's head at about this point. Having two steps here enables Nage to enter much deeper with more speed and power.
3. Fig. 3 shows Nage's position after a minor adjustment to formal Hammi. This would probably not be done if executing a throw.

Enter to Nage's Front Side

Fig. 4 1st Step		Fig. 5 2nd Step		Fig. 6 Adjust

1. Fig. 4 shows the 1st step with Nage's front (left) foot. This moves Nage to Nage's front or Omote side. It allows Nage to step without hip rotation getting Nage well off the line of attack. Nage's lead (left) hand swings up as Nage jumps in and strikes Uke's head at about this point. This step with the forward foot is a little more awkward than the basic movement making this advanced.
2. Fig. 5 shows the end of the 2nd step that is made with Nage's back (right) foot. This puts Nage in position for the throw. Nage's right hand normally strikes the back of Uke's head at about this point. Having two steps here enables Nage to enter much deeper with more speed and power.
3. Fig. 6 shows Nage's position after a minor adjustment to formal Hammi. This would probably not be done if executing a throw.

Example 1, Advanced Close On Nage's Back Side

Movie of Advanced Close On Nage's Back Side.

Fig. 7 Start		Fig. 8 Strike

1. Fig. 7 shows the start with Uke and Nage spaced so that their extended arms will not touch.
2. Fig. 8 shows Nage's lead arm striking Uke in the face as Nage jumps forward.

   Fig. 9 1st Step		Fig. 10 2nd Step

3. Fig. 9 shows the end of the 1st step by Nage's rear (left) foot. Nage's left foot stepped behind Nage's right leg. This is similar to the Pendulum Step except that the rear step is behind and past the front leg. This turns Nage's hips so that they do not face Uke as Nage comes in towards Uke.
4. Fig. 10 shows the end of the 2nd step with Nage's lead (right) leg. Nage is now deep behind Uke as Uke prepares to attack.

Example 2, Advanced Close On Nage's Front Side

Movie of Advanced Close On Nage's Front Side.

Fig. 11 Start		Fig. 12 Strike

1. Fig. 11 shows the start with Uke and Nage spaced so that their extended arms will not touch.
2. Fig. 12 shows Nage's lead (right) foot jumping to Nage's front side and towards Uke. This feels dangerous because it violates a basic rule of how fighters step. It also feels to Nage that Nage's back is turned towards Uke. It is important for Nage's arm to strike Uke in the face as Nage jumps towards Uke.

   Fig. 13 Face Uke		Fig. 14 Finish

3. Fig. 13 shows Nage's rear (left) foot continuing the forward movement by stepping behind Uke so that Nage is turning to face Uke.
4. Fig. 14 shows the end of the 2nd step with Nage's rear (left) leg. Nage is now deep behind Uke.