[T5.04] Yoko-wakare: Variation-1 (Side Separation Throw with Elbow Pin)

Translation: (Yoko) side, (wakare) separation

This technique is most effective when coupled with the elbow pin. Uke grabs your lapel. Strike down on the elbow joint and execute the elbow pin and press ukes arm against your body while tying-off with your other hand to the opponent’s collar. Rotate your shoulders to break to uke’s balance. Before he/she reacts to the pin throw them with yoko-wakare. Shoot your legs to the side and drop your body weight to throw uke sideways. The moment you hit the tatami move to a side mount and apply a choke or lock to end the altercation.

Warning: Do not attempt these techniques without a qualified AOKK instructor’s supervision.

Judo Category:

• Yoko-sutemi-waza (Side Sacrifice Throw)

AOKK Category:

• Sacrifice Throws

Opening Technique:

When uke grasps your lapel place him/her in a trap down elbow lock.

Karate Version of Kuzushi:

 Kuzushi in karate throws is different from those of grappling systems. Karate uses locks, chokes, and strikes to assist in breaking the opponent’s balance.  Grasp the opponent’s collar with your (RH) and strike down on the opponent’s elbow joint with your (LH) to pin it to your chest. Push the opponent’s shoulder backwards while pulling on the pinned joint. Twist the attacker’s shoulders breaking his/her balance. When you step to the side drive your hip into the adversary’s hips in the opposite direction of the throw. As you drop rotate your shoulders and cut the opponent’s feet from under him/her.

Execution:

•      Place uke in an elbow pin by striking down on the top of the elbow joint and pinning uke’s trapped arm to your chest.
•         Grasp uke by the back of the collar or shoulder with your other hand.
•         Step past uke to the side.
•      The moment uke reacts to the grip, pull uke’s trapped arm downward (LH) and drop your body weight to the side of uke while pushing uke’s neck with your (RH).

.Note: Your hip should hit the side of uke’s knee to break his/her balance as they’re being thrown.

•          Slide both of your legs down uke’s leg to their feet.
•         As you drop rotate your shoulders counterclockwise if you’re throwing uke to your left. As you hit the ground cut uke’s feet out from under their body and complete the throw.

Note: The straighter your legs the more body weight you drop the more effective and faster the throw. For better control during practice you can bend your knees slightly.

Warning: Use uke’s collar in practice and not his/her neck to facilitate the throw. This will minimize the possibility of injuring uke’s neck.

Grips:

1. Place uke in an elbow pin by trapping his/her hand to your chest, while wrapping your other arm around his/her neck grasping the collar.

Two Key Components for AOKK Practice:

When practicing this throw there are to key components to the endeavor. The problem with this throw is the fact that it is a sacrifice technique. The ground may not be the best place to be in an altercation, so the student must first practice throwing his/her adversary and roll immediately into the standing position. This must become a reflex action. The second component is throwing the opponent and following him/her into a mount. This may be necessary if you’re trying to restrain an adversary until help arrives. This too can be used in the sport aspect of the art as well. These two components are one of the things that separate our practice from that of more sport oriented martial arts.

Warning: Never go to the ground if there are multiple opponents.

Note: Follow this technique with an arm-bar, choke, or mount above the hips. If you choose the mount, follow immediately with open hand strikes, closed hand strikes, knee strikes, head butts, and elbow strikes. In sport you may choose to apply a choke or lock the opponent to gain a submission.