PE 1 – Fundamentals of Martial Arts

The course covers the study of the principles of martial arts as means of self defense for
law enforcement officers. It includes the Instructions on the basic and advance fighting stances,
kick, block, strikes, grips, punches and different forms of Kata with emphasis on martial arts
discipline and values.

Introduction
The arts of self-defense and martial arts are a study in human nature. Throughout time
human beings had specific needs – whether it be to eat, sleep, shelter or defense. In our
industrialized age these needs have not changed. We find ourselves protecting ourselves
against local predators as well as global predators.

Self-defense developed out of a need for defense; these methods included studying not
only physical but also psychological defense. There had to be a way to pass on thousands of
years of personal and group defense in an orderly way. This became known as martial or war
arts. These were generally passed on orally from tribe to tribe or family to family and in recent
history (the last five or six hundred years) they were found documented in various kinds of
media. This shows the serious nature of the study of personal protection over time. Without the
passing on of information, these tribes or families were destined to repeat the same errors that
occurred with their ancestors – loss of resources, life and in some cases whole generations.
Whole civilizations were changed through the use and misuse of these arts.

Martial arts can be divided into the armed and unarmed arts. The former include archery,
spearmanship, and swordsmanship; the latter, which originated in China, emphasize striking
with the feet and hands or grappling. In Japan, traditionally a warrior’s training emphasized
archery, swordsmanship, unarmed combat, and swimming in armour. Members of other classes
interested in combat concentrated on arts using the staff, everyday work implements (such as
thrashing flails, sickles, and knives), and unarmed combat. Perhaps the most versatile practice
was ninjutsu, which was developed for military spies in feudal Japan and also included training
in disguise, escape, concealment, geography, meteorology, medicine, and explosives. In
modern times, derivatives of some of the armed martial arts, such as kendō (fencing) and kyūdō
(archery), are practiced as sports. Derivatives of the unarmed forms of combat, such as judo,
sumo, karate, and tae kwon do, are practiced, as are self-defense forms, such as aikido,
hapkido, and kung fu. Simplified forms of tai chi chuan (taijiquan), a Chinese form of unarmed
combat, are popular as healthful exercise, quite divorced from martial origins. Derivatives of
many of the armed and unarmed forms are practiced as a means of spiritual development.
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The Benefits of Self-Defense Training

 The Ability To Defend Yourself And Your Loved Ones - There it is. The most important
aspect of self-defense training and really it’s primary purpose. By training, you prepare
your mind and body to respond to threats against your safety or your life. The truth in
today’s society is that help is not always available in time to make a difference.

So why is it important for us to learn specific techniques? When under the pressure of a
stressful situation, especially an attack or survival situation, people automatically revert to
what they’ve practiced. Stress makes it difficult to adapt to circumstances we haven’t
encountered or prepared for.

That’s why self-defense is important. It lets you take charge and defuse, de-escalate, or
defend yourself and those around you. By training and preparing for the worst-case
scenario, you better your odds of surviving if such a situation occurs.

 Physical Habits That Create And Maintain A Healthier You - Participating in self-defense
training is great exercise. Self-defense training will get your blood pumping and your lungs
working, leading to a more powerful and efficient cardiovascular system. As you train and
push your body you will be involving your entire musculoskeletal system and your muscles
will get stronger and more, very often, more flexible.

Your metabolism will also increase as a result of regular training, likely leading to weight
loss.

 A Sharper Mental Focus - In addition to your body, you’ll also be training your mind, which
is another reason that self-defense training is important. As part of your training, you will
learn to make effective decisions and act decisively in dangerous situations.

This confidence carries over into your everyday activities. You’ll become more self-
disciplined and goal-oriented. There is a peace to be found in the ability to take care of
yourself, and it shows in your everyday interactions.

What Is Self-Defense?

Self-defense is defined as the right to prevent suffering force or violence through the use of a
sufficient level of counteracting force or violence. This definition is simple enough on its face,
but it raises many questions when applied to actual situations.
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Justifying Circumstances on Self-Defense (RPC)

Not all acts constitute crimes. A person who is defending himself, family or property cannot be
held criminally liable. Article 11 of the Revised Penal provides for justifying circumstances
whereby the person is said to be acting in accordance with law such as self-defense

Art. 11. Justifying circumstances. — The following do not incur any criminal liability:

1. Anyone who acts in defense of his person or rights, provided that the following
circumstances concur;

First. Unlawful aggression.

Second. Reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or repel it.

Third. Lack of sufficient provocation on the part of the person defending himself.

2. Anyone who acts in defense of the person or rights of his spouse, ascendants,
descendants, or legitimate, natural or adopted brothers or sisters, or his relatives by
affinity in the same degrees and those consanguinity within the fourth civil degree,
provided that the first and second requisites prescribed in the next preceding circumstance are
present, and the further requisite, in case the provocation was given by the person attacked,
that the one making defense had no part therein.

3. Anyone who acts in defense of the person or rights of a stranger, provided that the first
and second requisites mentioned in the first circumstance of this Art. are present and that the
person defending be not induced by revenge, resentment, or other evil motive.

xxx

Please note that this includes defense of person or rights. It may also refer to defense of
chastity wherein a woman is justified in hitting a man who placed his hand on a woman’s upper
thigh. There may also be defense of property or home such that a person is within his legal
right to protect himself from trespassers to his property.

In order to invoke self-defense, certain conditions must be met such as unlawful aggression,
reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or repel it, and lack of sufficient
provocation on the part of the person defending himself.

Anent the 1st element, the aggression must be unlawful. The fulfillment of a duty or exercise of
a right may be aggression but it is NOT unlawful. For example, if a policeman threw rocks at the
accused who was fleeing the crime scene, it cannot be said that the aggression was unlawful. In
addition, forcibly pushing the strikers or picketers to let the company trucks enter the compound
is NOT unlawful aggression.

There is unlawful aggression when there is peril to one’s life or person. There must be actual
and imminent physical force or actual use of a weapon. In a Supreme Court case, a man was
acquitted due to self-defense. In the said case, the accused was holding down the deceased
because the latter was attempting the stab him. When the accused tried to wrest the knife, the
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deceased suddenly pressed into a tree thereby allowing the knife to puncture his body. This
resulted in his death but the accused was held NOT criminally liable because of self-defense.
There is also a valid self-defense, if the aggressor used a toy pistol in threatening the accused,
but the accused thought that it was a real gun.

A mere push or shove, not followed by other acts, is NOT unlawful aggression. A playful kick at
the foot by way of greeting, although it may hurt, is not unlawful aggression. Furthermore, there
is no unlawful aggression by mere threatening attitude as when someone is hurling insults
while holding a knife.

It must be borne in mind that when the aggressor flees, there is no more unlawful aggression.
Consequently, when the aggressor ceases the violence and flees, yet the victim pursues him
and inflicts violent on the aggressor, the victim cannot claim self-defense.

If there is an agreement to a fight, either party cannot claim self-defense. However, it must be
emphasized that the challenge to the fight must be accepted. If the deceased challenged the
accused to the fight, but before the latter can accept, the former lunged at the latter, then the
accused can raise self-defense if the deceased was stabbed in the process. Interestingly, if the
aggression was done ahead of the stipulated time and place, then self-defense can be raised.

Moving on the second element, there must be reasonable necessity of the means employed to
prevent or repel the unlawful aggression. Thus, there must be necessity of the course of action
AND necessity of the means used.

The necessity of the course of action will depend on the surrounding circumstances. Thus, if in
the dark of night and in an uninhabited place, the deceased suddenly grabbed the accused and
uttered “give me your money or you will die” and subsequently, the accused fought back with a
knife thereby killing the deceased, there is lawful self-defense, even if the deceased later turned
out to be accused’s friend playing a practical joke.

In repelling or preventing an unlawful aggression, the one defending must aim at the aggressor
and not indiscriminately to others. Therefore, if the accused was being bludgeoned by a bolo
inside a house with many people, and in defending himself, the accused indiscriminately fired
his revolver around the house, hitting innocent people, it cannot be said that there was self-
defense.

It is important to note that there is necessity of the means used. The means used to defend
oneself must be commensurate to the unlawful aggression. Hence, stabbing a person who was
merely giving fist blows cannot constitute self-defense. Furthermore, a woman who stabbed a
man in the neck while in church filled with people because the man grabbed the woman’s thigh
cannot utilize self-defense.

The nature of the weapons will also be considered. If a person was advancing towards the
accused with a bolo, the accused was justified in shooting the man. However, the use of a
bayonet against a cane is not considered as reasonable. Furthermore, the physical condition
and size of the aggressor will also be considered. If the aggressor was large, strong and of
violent character, a smaller man was justified in stabbing the aggressor with a bolo, even if the
larger man was only using fist blows.
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Finally, as to the third requisite, there must be lack of sufficient provocation on the part of the
person defending himself. This element is not present in the defense of relatives (the one
defended can be the source of provocation, but the one defended cannot be the source of
provocation) and defense of strangers (the third element is replaced by the condition that the
person defending be not induced by revenge, resentment, or other evil motive).

This element simply means that the one defending himself must not have given cause for the
aggression by his unjust conduct or by inciting the assailant. To elaborate further, the third
element is not satisfied, if there is no provocation at all was given to the aggressor by the
person defending himself, when, even if a provocation was give, if was not sufficient or when,
even if the provocation was sufficient, it was not given by the person defending himself

The Art of AIKIDO

What is Aikido?
Short History of Aikido
AIKIDO is a modern, non-aggressive Japanese martial art that was
developed early in the 20th century by the late master Professor
Morihei Ueshiba, commonly called O Sensei. The Founder passed
away in 1969 at the age of eighty six.
Aikido is effective as a martial art but its essence goes beyond the
resolution of physical conflict. Based on a background of rigorous
training in traditional Japanese jujutsu, sword and spear techniques,
Professor Ueshiba spent the latter half of his life developing the art
as a means of refining and uplifting human spirit. He succeeded in
creating what he then named 'Aikido', 'the Way of Harmony with
the Forces and Principles of Nature'. Aikido is a true 'budo' path, in
which the keen edge of martial training is utilized as a 'Way' to
spiritual growth.
Despite its growth in popularity, Aikido remains true to the goals of budo. Its methods are based
on Professor Ueshiba's deep faith in 'austere training for the sake of improving the human spirit
through tireless polishing and perfection of mind and body'. In accordance with the founders’
ideals, the art has kept separate from sports, in which one person competes with another.
Aikido is rather a path for personal development for people who sincerely desire to perfect their
own human nature. As such, Aikido places great importance on the the Universal Principal of 'ki'
- the life force or breath. Aikido seeks to achieve the total unification of this universal 'ki' with the
'ki' of individual human 'self'. Aikido is a budo to harmonize the individual with the Universal
Principle and to concord among all peoples. Out of the ancient traditions of Japanese martial
arts, Aikido thrives as a source of harmony to counter the disharmonious forces that exist in the
world today.
What does Aikido mean?
 PE 1 – Fundamentals of Martial Arts

The word 'Aikido' in Japanese is made up of three characters or kanji.

The first and most important is 'Ai' which means to meet, to come
together, 'to harmonize'. In Japanese this also means 'love' and this is the
truer translation of the word, as O Sensei used it.
The second kanji is ki which means literally steam or vapour, but has
come to mean in modern Japanese, the mind, the soul, the spirit. In the larger
context 'Ki' means 'spirit or force of the Universe', and not just the spirit of
mere human beings.
The third and last character is 'DO' which means 'the way', as in Ken-Do or Ju-
Do, to signify that the study of Aikido does not involve only techniques based purely in
self defense, but includes positive character development ideals which people can
incorporate into their daily lives.
Thus, in a physical training sense Aikido means 'the Way of Harmonizing the Body and
Universal Spirit' but in a deeper sense it also means loving the world and all who live in it.

Moving in Concert with the Principles of Nature

The most outstanding feature of physical training is the repetitious practice of various
techniques until rational and unforced movements flow naturally from within the body. The
Aikidoist practices ways to control aggression without causing harm or injury. The fact that
there is no competition in Aikido is a natural result of this basic philosophy. When winning or
losing are of no consequence, trainees are free to dedicate their efforts towards mutual goals. It
is thus possible for men, women and children of all ages to walk together down the path of budo
that is the heart of Aikido. With each student training and progressing at his or her own pace, all
can find harmony within their own personal development.

Circular, flowing movements originating from a relaxed body and a fully centered mind
are the Aikido ideal. Regular practice brings a feeling of well-being and self confidence that
carries over into every aspect of daily life. Such experiences eventually result in a broadening of
human experience.

In Aikido, there is no 'Way' except the path of confronting 'the enemy that lies within
oneself'. Aikido is a path of dogged perseverance and dedication to improving both spirit and
body. The recognition and acceptance of this aspect of training is the surest means to steady
progress and personal progression.

Basic Terms in the Practice of AIKIDO

 PE 1 – Fundamentals of Martial Arts

Boken, Jo and Tanto:

These are the weapons that we use in Aikido training: a 'boken' is a sword, a 'jo' is a stick and
a 'tanto' is a knife. These weapons belong to the equipment of an Aikidoka. These weapons
are used to improve techniques in Aikido; they are not used for sword- or stick fighting.
Kamai:
Aikido's 'basic position' or 'attitude' is derived from sword fighting: you are standing as if you
have a sword in your hands. It is important to assume a stable position and to move from there
when performing the techniques. In this position, the same arm and leg are in front - hanmi
(half position) - and you stand in the so-called triangle position (sankakuho), with your front leg
bent and the foot straight forward in the middle of the rear foot, which is turned out and forms
the base of the triangle.
Kamiza:
The kamiza is the central place in the dojo where there is a portrait of the founder or a
calligraphy of Aikido. This place is also called shomen. In the dojo these names are both used.
There is also a second meaning to kamiza: it is the best and most comfortable place and it is
placed at the opposite to the shimoza, the low or uncomfortable place (often where the door is).
This place is to the left of the shomen and this is the place where the most advanced are.
Although it is customary in seminars to sit according to this classification, the term kamiza is not
used for this purpose in the dojo*.
Keiko:
Keiko means training; regular Keiko (training) is what Aikido is all about.
Keikogi:
The 'keikogi' or 'gi' is the clothing or suit which is used during Aikido training. If you want to know
which size you need or what kind of suit you should train in, look at clothing.
KI:
Energy; it is not an unambiguous term, in fact it is a generic term. In martial arts it is often used
to indicate 'vital energy'. The training in Aikido aims to generate 'energy' and/or to learn how to
distribute your energy. It has a background in the sense of the Chinese term 'chi', which
indicates the invisible in contrast to all the visible. In formulations it can have many meanings,
from cheerfulness (generated energy), to lethargy (little energy), to anger, and so on. Vital
energy is a transformation of energy through continuous and oriented training.

Kokyu (Ryoku):
Breathe strength: the combination of concentration, ki and breathing with movement. See also
article Fujita Sensei.

Nage / Waza:
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Nage refer to the throwing techniques, such as iriminage and shihonage. Kokyu nage refer to
the 'breathing power' throws used for practicing throwing and falling. Waza is a technique.
Tachiwaza, for example, refers to the execution of techniques that you do while standing and
katame waza are the (joint) lock techniques. Techniques often vary between throws - nage or
nage waza - and locks - katame-waza.
Omote / Ura:
In Aikido you can perform a technique in front of - omote - or behind - ura - the body. There
are so many possibilities for executing them, and they actually depend on how the attack was
performed: in the case of a hard attack, you usually use ura and in the case of a 'soft' attack,
omote.
Seiza / Kiza:
Seiza is the resting position sitting on the heels, used especially at the beginning or at the end
of the lesson and when the teacher wants to explain or show something. Kiza is the seated
position with the toes on the mat. This is an active sitting position from where an attack or
defense can be initiated.
Tachiwaza / Suwariwaza / Hanmi Handachiwaza:
Techniques can be practiced in both sitting and standing postitions: tachiwaza refers to the
practice of techniques while standing and suwariwaza refers to the practice of techniques while
sitting. For advanced practitioners there is also a third form, in which the attacker attacks from a
standing position and the defender defends while sitting: hanmi handachiwaza.
Taisabaki:
Movement of the body: Taisabaki's are the basic movements in Aikido that you use to move to a
safe position when you are attacked. Taisabaki's can be divided into incoming and outgoing
movements (irimi and tenkan) (see text Yamaguchi Shihan). Aikido is an art of self-defense in
which there is no direct confrontation at the point of attack. That is why in Aikido we move out of
the line of attack.
Tatami:
The 'tatami' is the mat on which training is done.
Uke / Tori:
Tori is the one who executes (or defends from) the technique, uke is the one who experiences
(or receives) the technique; tori leads and uke follows. In the beginning this can cause
confusion, because uke is the one who attacks. Aikido techniques are always practiced in pairs,
alternating the roles of uke and tori.
Ukemi:
An important part of Aikido is (learning to) roll - forward, backward and sideways - and after a
long time also learning to break a fall (free fall). This rolling or falling is 'necessary' to be able to
experience or 'receive' the technique: hence ukemi. During the training a lot of attention is paid
to learning it.
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Usage of Terms in the Practice of AIKIDO

The following are the detailed AIKIDO word that are grouped into topic.
Body

Japan English Usage

Mune Chest Munedori: grab lapels at the chest
Koshi Hip Koshinage: hip throw
Kote (Tekubi) Wrist Kotegaeshi: wrist turn (lock) throw
Kata Shoulder Kata dori: grab the shoulders
Hiji Elbow Hijikimeosae: elbow lock (rokyo)
Eri / iri Neck, collar Eridori / iridori: grab the collar at the back of the
neck
Kubi Neck, throat Kubishime: strangulation
 
Directions    

Ushiro Backward Ushiro ukemi

Yoko Sideways Yoko ukemi
Shomen Front  

Jodan High Jodan tsuki: strike (punch) at the head

Chudan Middle  
Gedan Low  

 
Techniques, training    

Waza Technique(s) Also: training method

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Katame waza (Joint) lock techniques Different from nage / nage waza
Nage waza / nage Throw(s) Nage: sometimes also used as a synonym for
tori
Suwariwaza training in the sitting  
position
Tachiwaza training in the standing  
position
Hanmi handachiwaza sitting/standing training Tori defends in a sitting position while uke
attacks in a standing position
Kihon waza Basic techniques  

Exercise, practice    

Keiko Practice  
Suburi Solo practice with sword and stick  

Ikkyo undo Ikkyo movement in four directions  

Kokyu ho Breath power exercise Often at the end of the lesson

Aikiken Sword (ken) exercises for Aikido Not: sword fighting (kenjutsu)

Aikijo Stick (jo) exercises for Aikido  

Randori Throwing of more than one attackers  

Falling    

Ukemi Fall, to roll  

Mae ukemi* Forward roll  
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Mae ukemi (kaiten) Forward roll  

Mae ukemi chokuto Forward break fall Distribute the impact on the lower arms

Ushiro ukemi (kaiten) Backwards roll  

Ushiro ukemi chokuto Backwards break fall Distribute the impact by straightening the arms
Yoko ukemi (kaiten) Sideway roll  
Yoko ukemi chokuto Sideway break fall Distribute the impact by straightening the arm

Body movement    

Taisabaki Movement of the body  

Irimi Forward movement   
Tenkai Half rotation Turn without a step
Tenkan Half rotation with step Turn with a step backwards
Irimi tenkai / kaiten* Step forwards followed by half Step forwards and turn without
turn further steps
Ayumi ashi Walking With one foot in front of the other
Tsugi ashi Sliding step One foot stays in front
Shikko Walking on your knees  

Basic techniques    

Ikkyo First form  

Nikyo Second form  
Sankyo Third form  
Yonkyo Fourth form  
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Gokyo Fifth form  

Rokyo Sixth form Udeshigi, hijikimeosae
Iriminage Entering throw  
Shihonage Throw of 4 directions  
Kotegeashi Throw by twisting the wrist Gaeshi: turn
Uchikaiten nage Wheel throw from the inside  
Sotokaiten nage Wheel throw from the outside  
Uchikaiten kata katame Wheel turn with shoulder lock  
Koshinage Hip throw  
Udekimenage Arm lock throw  
Udegaraminage Arm wrapping throw  
Tenchinage Heaven and earth throw  
Jujigarami / jujinage Crossed arm throw  
Sumiotoshi Corner throw  
Kokyu nage Breath power throw Basic exercise, no technique
 

Attack    

Katate* One hand  

Dori Form  
Katatedori Wrist grab  
Aihanmi katatedori Wrist grab in crossed stance  
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Gyaku hanmi katatedori Wrist grab in mirror stance  

Shomenuchi Strike the head from above  
Yokomenuchi Strike the head from the side  
Katadori Grab the shoulder  
Sodedori Grab the sleeves of the suit Sode: sleeve
Munedori Grab the lapels at the chest  
Ryotedori ryotemochi 2 hands grab 2 wrists Ryote: 2 hands
Katate ryotedori 2 hands grab 1 wrist Also known as morotedori
Tsuki Strike  
Chudan tsuki Strike the belly / solar plexus With or without weapon
Jodan tsuki Strike towards the head  
Ushiro ryo(kata)tedori Grab 2 wrists from behind  
Ushiro ryo katadori Grab 2 shoulders from behind  
Ushiro kubeshime Strangulation with wrist grab  
Iridori (eridori) Grab the back of the neck from  
behind
Tanto dori Defense against knife  
Jo dori Defense against stick  
Tachi dori Defense against sword  
Futaridori / futarigake 2 attackers  
Atemi strike  

Principles    

Ma-ai Distance  
Kime Projection  
Ki no nagare Flowing technique  
Kokyu Breath power Kokyu (ryoku)
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Kuzushi Disturbing / destroying  

the balance
Sen Timing  
Zanshin Alertness