Advanced Ninjutsu Technique - The Ninja's Science Of Beating Your Opponent's Throws

At a certain point in your ninpo-taijutsu training, you must leave behind the need to cling to step-by-step kata ("prearranged technique examples") and the beginner forms of the skills that you were introduced to when you began your training. Advanced ninjutsu technique training requires that you focus more on concepts and strategic control, rather than the preset, "official" forms that ego likes to grasp - as though these beginner models actually define the ability to actually be able to defend yourself against a brutal assailant in the first place!

The focus of this article is to take a look at the phases that make up a throw. But, rather than look at a throw from the perspective of "you" doing it...

Today's lesson is about countering your opponent's attempt to throw you!

And this is where the rubber meets the road, so-to-speak - where the "martial artists" are separated from the "Masters." This is where the ability to "perform" skills and kata/techniques, is replaced with actual "skill proficiency!"

What I'm talking about is your ability to know what is happening from moment to moment, regardless of the technique being applied - as opposed to merely knowing the mechanical moves - the "what" that's being done by either you or your assailant.

This is a crucial aspect when it comes to your progress towards Mastery. And, in this case, it could make all the difference between how many opportunities you recognize (or miss) when your attacker throws something at you. Or, in this case, "throws" you.

This concept will take a whole lot more than this article, and my explanation for you to even begin to "get it." But we have to start somewhere. And, in the case of today's lesson, we're going to start by taking a look at four points within a throw (nage in Japanese), where you have the opportunity to counter his technique. In truth, I have outlined 5 key points in the encounter to do this, but for the purposes of this article, we'll limit things to the 4 points where he actually has a hold of you.

The 4 Points to Initiate a Counter During a Throw

1) Initial Contact - As he grabs you or your clothing (but before he moves in with his body) you can shift in such a way as to disrupt his ability to enter and capture you for the throw.

2) Entering to Take You - You can jam or use last-second timing to trap him with his own movement as he moves into position to execute the throw.

3) Executing of the Throw (The actual Throw) - You can find an "open door" within the throw - this requires that you give up the tension you're holding onto that allows his throw to work.

4) Follow-Through - You can attack an exposed target on his body as your body leaves his - this can be done before or after you take ukemi.

Each of these points transition from the previous and, if not countered, will naturally lead to the next phase. Again, this lesson is about advanced strategy and the awareness and mindset needed within the moment that an attacker is executing a throw technique on you.

It is NOT about "how to throw," any specific throw technique, or the best self-defense or martial art for doing throws. It IS about going beyond the ego-centric concept of needing "name and form" and the idea of "style."

The point is that, by understanding and being able to recognize these phases, you can intentionally structure your ninjutsu training to make sure that you become more and more proficient at identifying and acting appropriately at whatever stage you "catch" within the flow of events.

Are you serious about mastering the art of ninjutsu? Do you want to know what it takes to progress through the levels of self defense mastery in this powerful martial art?

How? By insuring that your training is about strategic application of skill and skill proficiency - not just learning a bunch of "moves"!