List of Aikido Techniques with Instructions

Listed below are a wide variety of Aikido techniques (i.e. elbow control, throws, pinning, etc.). This Japanese martial arts has hundreds of different techniques and combinations. Nevertheless, we have tried to list a number of the most common basic techniques and/or well-known techniques used in Aikido and provide you with instructional videos for these techniques. However, be aware that the names for some techniques can vary by school. You will also find many of these techniques used in Aikido katas. For basic Jo techniques, please visit the Aikido Jo Suburi section.

The information on these pages and videos are meant to reinforce and supplement the instruction given at your Aikido classes. To properly understand these techniques, you need to learn them from an Aikido instructor who can provide you with an in-depth explanation of the technique, help correct your mistakes, answer your questions and detail how the technique should be utilized.

Section supported by Aikido books.

Basic Aikido Techniques

• Aikido Ikkyo - First Teaching (Elbow Control)
• Aikido Nikyo - Second Teaching (Wrist Control)
• Aikido Sankyo - Third Teaching (Wrist Control)
• Aikido Yonkyo - Fourth Teaching (Wrist Control & Pressure Point)
• Aikido Gokyo - Fifth Teaching (Elbow Control)
• Aikido Rokkyo - Sixth Teaching (Arm Control)

Other Important Basic Aikido Exercises - According to Traditional Aikido of Sonoma, "O'Sensei once said that a student could learn all the basics of aikido if he practiced just three techniques: tai-no-henko, morotedori-kokyuho, and suwariwaza-kokyuho".

• Aikido Morote-Dori Kokyu-Ho - Morote-Dori Kokyu-Ho is an Aikido exercise that teaches students how to unbalance an attacker who has grabbed them with two hands.
• Aikido Suwari-Waza Kokyu-Ho - Suwari-Waza Kokyu-Ho focuses on defending against grabs when seated (in a traditional Samurai kneeling position).
• Aikido Tai No Henko - Tai No Henko is an Aikido exercise that teaches the basics for redirecting an attack.
• Aikido Irimi Nage - Entering Throw
• Aikido Shiho Nage - Four Corner Throw
• Aikido Kote-Gaeshi - Wrist Turn

Nage Waza - Aikido Throws

• Aikido Irimi Nage - Entering Throw
• Aikido Juji Nage - Arms Crossed Throw
• Aikido Kaiten Nage - Wheel Throw
• Aikido Kokyu Nage - Breath Throw
• Aikido Koshi Nage - Hip Throw
• Aikido Shiho Nage - Four Corner Throw
• Aikido Tenchi Nage - Heaven And Earth Throw
• Aikido Ude Kime Nage - Arm Extension Throw

Tekubi Waza - Aikido Wrist Techniques

• Aikido Kote-hineri - Wrist Twist
• Aikido Kote-gaeshi - Wrist Turn
• Aikido Munetsuki Kote-gaeshi - Punch Counter Wrist Turn
• Aikido Tenkai-kote-hineri - Rotating Wrist Twist

Hiji Waza - Aikido Elbow Techniques

• Aikido Hiji Garami - Elbow Wrap
• Aikido Hiki-taoshi - Pull Down
• Aikido Oshi-taoshi - Push Down
• Aikido Ude-gaeshi - Arm Turn
• Aikido Ude-hineri - Arm Twist
• Aikido Waki-gatame - Side Pin

Uki Waza - Aikido Floating Techniques

• Aikido Aiki-otoshi - Blending Drop
• Aikido Hiki-otoshi - Pulling Drop
• Aikido Mae-otoshi - Forward Drop
• Aikido Sumi-otoshi - Corner Drop

Aikido Deflections & Parries

• Aikido Uke Nagashi Irimi
• Aikido Uke Nagashi Tenkan

Atemi Waza - Aikido Striking Techniques

• Aikido Aigamae-ate - Matching Stances Strike
• Aikido Gedan-ate - Low Strike
• Aikido Gyakugamae-ate - Opposing Stances Strike
• Aikido Shomen-ate - Forward Strike To Head
• Aikido Ushiro-ate - Rear Strike

Aikido Choking Techniques

• Aikido Kubishime - Neck Choke

Aikido Defenses Against Chokes

• Aikido Kubishime Ikkyo
• Aikido Kubishime Nikyo
• Aikido Kubishime Sankyo
• Aikido Kubishime Kokyunage
• Aikido Kubishime Koshinage
• Aikido Kubishime Kotegaeshi

Aikido Ushiro Waza - Defenses Against Rear Attacks

• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Ikkyo - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Nikyo - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Sankyo - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Kokyunage - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Kotegaeshi - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Sayunage - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab

Defenses Against Punches or Knife Hand Strikes

• Aikido Defenses Against Hook Punches
• Aikido Defenses Against Straight Punches
• Aikido Munetsuki Ikkyo - Defense Against A Straight Punch
• Aikido Munetsuki Nikyo - Defense Against A Straight Punch
• Aikido Munetsuki Sankyo - Defense Against A Straight Punch
• Aikido Munetsuki Iriminage - Entering Throw Defense Against A Straight Punch
• Aikido Munetsuki Kaitenage - Wheel Throw Defense Against A Straight Punch
• Aikido Munetsuki Kokyunage - Breath Throw Defense Against A Straight Punch
• Aikido Munetsuki Koshinage - Hip Throw Defense Against A Straight Punch
• Aikido Munetsuki Kotegaeshi - Defense Against A Straight Punch
• Aikido Shomenuchi Ikkyo or Shomen Uchi Ikkyo - Defense Against An Overhead Strike To The Top Of Head Or Shoulder.
• Aikido Shomenuchi Nikyo or Shomen Uchi Nikyo - Defense Against An Overhead Strike To The Top Of Head Or Shoulder.
• Aikido Shomenuchi Sankyo or Shomen Uchi Sankyo - Defense Against An Overhead Strike To The Top Of Head Or Shoulder.
• Aikido Shomenuchi Yonkyo or Shomen Uchi Yonkyo - Defense Against An Overhead Strike To The Top Of Head Or Shoulder.
• Aikido Shomenuchi Gokyo or Shomen Uchi Gokyo - Defense Against An Overhead Strike To The Top Of Head Or Shoulder.
• Aikido Yokomenuchi Ikkyo - Defense Against A Hook Punch, Knife Hand Strike To Neck, Etc.
• Aikido Yokomenuchi Nikyo - Defense Against A Hook Punch, Knife Hand Strike To Neck, Etc.
• Aikido Yokomenuchi Sankyo - Defense Against A Hook Punch, Knife Hand Strike To Neck, Etc.
• Aikido Yokomenuchi Kokyunage - Defense Against A Hook Punch, Knife Hand Strike To Neck, Etc.

Defenses Against Kicks

• Aikido Defenses Against Front Kicks such as Irimi-Nage, Sayu-Nage, etc.
• Aikido Defenses Against Roundhouse Kicks such as Nikyo, etc.
• Aikido Defenses Against Side Kicks such as Kubishime, Tenkan, etc.
• Aikido Defenses Against Spinning Kicks such as Irimi-Nage, Kubishime, etc.

Defenses Against Grabs

• Aikido Ikkyo Defenses Against Wrist Grabs
• Aikido Nikyo Defenses Against Wrist Grabs
• Aikido Sankyo Defenses Against Wrist Grabs
• Aikido Katatori Ikkyo or Kata-dori Ikkyo - Defense Against A Shoulder Grab Or Lapel Grab
• Aikido Katatori Nikyo or Kata-dori Nikyo - Defense Against A Shoulder Grab Or Lapel Grab
• Aikido Katatori Sankyo or Kata-dori Sankyo - Defense Against A Shoulder Grab Or Lapel Grab
• Aikido Katatori Kokyunage or Kata-dori Kokyunage - Defense Against A Shoulder Grab Or Lapel Grab
• Aikido Katatori Kotegaeshi or Kata-dori Kotegaeshi - Defense Against A Shoulder Grab Or Lapel Grab
• Aikido Katatetori Ikkyo or Katate-dori Ikkyo - Defense Against A Wrist Grab
• Aikido Katatetori Nikyo or Katate-dori Nikyo - Defense Against A Wrist Grab
• Aikido Katatetori Sankyo or Katate-dori Sankyo - Defense Against A Wrist Grab
• Aikido Katatetori Yonkyo or Katate-dori Yonkyo
• Aikido Katatetori Iriminage or Katate-dori Iriminage
• Aikido Katatetori Kaitenage
• Aikido Katatetori Kokyunage
• Aikido Katatetori Kotegaeshi
• Aikido Munedori Kokyunage - Defense Against A Single Lapel Grab
• Aikido Ryotemochi Ikkyo - Defense Against An Attacker Who Grabs One Wrist With Two Hands
• Aikido Ryotemochi Nikyo - Defense Against An Attacker Who Grabs One Wrist With Two Hands
• Aikido Ryotemochi Sankyo - Defense Against An Attacker Who Grabs One Wrist With Two Hands
• Aikido Ryotemochi Kaitenage - Defense Against An Attacker Who Grabs One Wrist With Two Hands
• Aikido Ryotemochi Kokyunage - Defense Against An Attacker Who Grabs One Wrist With Two Hands
• Aikido Ryotetori Ikkyo - Defense Against Both Hands Being Held
• Aikido Ryotetori Nikyo - Defense Against Both Hands Being Held
• Aikido Ryotetori Sankyo - Defense Against Both Hands Being Held
• Aikido Ryotetori Koshinage
• Aikido Ryotetori Shiho Nage
• Aikido Ryotetori Tenchi Nage
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Ikkyo - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Nikyo - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Sankyo - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Kokyunage - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Kotegaeshi - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab
• Aikido Ushiro Tekubi Tori Sayunage - Defense Against Double Wrist Rear Grab

Weapon Defenses

• Aikido Jo Dori - Defenses Against A Jo (Short Staff)
• Aikido Tachi Dori - Defense Against A Bokken (Sword)
• Aikido Tanto Dori - Defenses Against Knife Attacks

Aikido Ukemi - Aikido Falling Techniques

• Aikido Backward Roll or Ushiro Ukemi
• Aikido Forward Roll or Zenpo Ukemi

Aikido Warm-Up Exercises

• Aikido Funakogi Undo - Aikido Rowing Exercise
• Aikido Katate Osa Undo - Aikido Wrist Stretching Exercise
• Aikido Kotegaeshi Undo
• Aikido Nikyo Undo - Aikido Wrist Stretching Exercise
• Aikido Sankyo Undo - Aikido Wrist Stretching Exercise
• Aikido Sayu Undo
• Aikido Shomenuchi Ikkyo Undo or Ikkyo Undo
• Aikido Tai No Henko - Tai No Henko is an Aikido exercise that teaches the basics for redirecting an attack.
• Aikido Tenkan Undo

Miscellaneous Aikido Techniques

• Aikido Bow - How To Sit/Kneel And Bow In Aikido
• Aikido Breathing Exercises
• Aikido Shikko - How To Do The Aikido "Samurai Walk" or "Knee Walking"

References

1. London Aikido Dojo, http://www.londonaikido.com, Added - 8/23/13
2. Aikikai Foundation, http://www.aikikai.or.jp/eng/, Added - 01/28/14
3. Traditional Aikido of Sonoma, Three Techniques That Have Everything, http://www.traditional-aikido.com/Technique/three_techniques.htm, Added - 10/24/14