Gedan-ate: A Universal Technique
Eric Burlingame
Sandan Essay
June 2024
Gedan-ate (translating to “Low Attack”) was added to the atemi waza (body striking techniques) section of the basic randori kata around 1963 along with Ushiro-ate (rear attack or attacking the back). Gedan-ate is usually used or taught in conjunction with Gyaku gamae-ate (reverse posture attack); when tori moves to attack the upper half or head of uke and uke blocks, tori can change the height of their attack and move to a lower body attack on uke; same goes if an aikidoka is trying to apply gedan-ate and an opponent blocks, change attack height and apply gyaku gamae-ate. When uke blocks tori’s hand/arm that’s attacking their head, tori will push uke’s hand and elbow back, effectively planting uke on their back foot/heel, and applying a rear kuzushi (balance break or unbalancing an opponent), then tori can move to attacking the lower half and legs of uke by collapsing uke’s legs together and causing uke to take a rear ukemi (break fall).
Gedan-ate is an effective technique for aikidoka of all shapes and sizes; a smaller aikidoka applying the technique can nullify a height or weight difference against a larger opponent, and by attacking the lower half and legs then height or weight does not matter. Once kuzushi is applied and the legs have been collapsed on uke the technique can be applied with great effectiveness. When a larger aikidoka applies gedan-ate it can become a truly devastating technique. Using size and weight to their advantage, a larger aikidoka applying gedan-ate can take the technique to new heights. If tori has more weight then uke, then tori can use that size advantage to effectively collapse and crush uke. If tori has a considerable height advantage, then tori can truly take uke off their feet and give them a nice high ukemi.
Gedan-ate is not only an effective technique amongst aikidoka, but of practitioners of other disciplines as well. In other grappling arts such as; judo, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and sumo wrestling, gedan-ate can be applied in various ways. In Brazilian jiu jitsu, one way gedan-ate can be applied is from a wrist or sleeve grab depending on if it is gi or no-gi training/competition. Tori can grab uke’s wrist or sleeve, pull uke in or move toward uke, and apply gedan-ate. This lets tori get a nice takedown and then can flow in to whichever ne-waza (ground techniques) they like. In competition judo, tori can apply gedan-ate the same way a BJJ practitioner can, off of a sleeve grab in to potentially an arm drag, except if tori can get uke to land on their back tori can win the match with an ippon; a throw that places an opponent on their back with strength, speed, and control. In sumo, the technique is called tsutae-zori (under arm forward body drop), though not completely the same as aikido’s version, the technique is applied in a similar way. Tori gets their opponent off-balance, then topples their opponent by taking one or both legs out from under them. Gedan-ate can also be applied to striking arts such as karate and Tae kwon do. Though aikidoka and other grapplers use the technique as a controlled takedown, gedan-ate is considered a “striking” technique. For example, if uke were to strike at tori’s head and tori ducks underneath the attack, tori can then use strikes to attack the lower half of uke’s body, ending the fight dependent upon how effective the strikes are.
If you do not heavily use gedan-ate I would consider adding it to your repertoire of highly used techniques. It can become a great equalizer if you’re at a weight or height disadvantage. Gedan-ate can be a devastating technique if you have a height or weight advantage, and it can be a great compliment to other techniques if you have a background in other martial disciplines. Gedan-ate, the universal technique.
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