How to perform correct and effective Taiatari?

by Markus
(Germany)

I would like to know how to perform correct taiatari in combination with fumikomi. It often happens on men strikes that the opponent blocks and both crash together with taiatari into tsubazeri-ai.

I often have the problem that when I’m fighting with people that are physically bigger and stronger I get pushed away and get out of balance. It often feels like running into a wall and bouncing back.

How can I prevent this using the basic correct taiatari?
Can you perhaps make a video showing the correct taiatari?

Answer: Taiatari is a very hard technique to acquire. It is very effective even in you are in tsubazeri-ai. I saw my sensei did taiatari in tsubazeri-ai and the other guy just collapsed.

It is said that taiatari should be performed with the left leg and left part of your back and it is not a push but a blow. It is a very short impact where the word “push” does not explain the true nature of taiatari.

People tend to push their opponent back with the right hand. This probably makes you feel that your push is really strong but your opponent is not feeling much.

When you do taiatari, you want to lower your body a little bit with your hands close to your body. At the moment that you execute a taiatari, push your opponent “up and back” rather than pushing “straight back”.

When you do so, in stead of crashing into your opponent flat, i.e. your shinai is right on your do , give it a little push with your arms as well.

It does not matter how correctly you execute a taiatari against a big guys, it is probably impossible to break the law of physics.

So I would say, use a taiatari wisely. You do not have to crash into your opponent square. You can execute a taiatari a bit off the centre of your opponent. It is not a cheating. It is a very wise technique.