From: stark@dwovax.enet.dec.com (Todd I. Stark)
Subject: Re: Yokomenuchi vs Hook-punch (Aikido vs. 'the hook')
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: 20 AUG 92 10:20:13    


In article <1992Aug19.020213.3028@latcs1.lat.oz.au>, jd@latcs1.lat.oz.au (John Dimogotsis) writes...
> 
>	The arm movement of a hook-punch is similar but not same as that of
>a yokomen style attack. So I was wandering how Aikido deals with the "hook" ?

A Yokumen-uchi strike is most commonly delivered in a trajectory that would
I believe more closely approximate a 'swing' than a hook.   The best hooks
in boxing, for example, are delivered short and snappy with a bent arm 
and cover less than a foot of distance.  The classic 'left hook' with which
many fighter's lights were put out after a poorly delivered straight right 
sometimes is so short and unexpected that it looks to onlookers like a
'dive.'  The participants know better.  This is a very different animal
from the sword-based sweeping Yokumen strike.

>	Moving outside the attack feals easy but only serves to avoid it not
>to counter it, steping in as in yokomenuchi to force him to over extend the
>strike does not seem as safe to me, am I imagining this, or is there a 
>significant difference between the two attacks. 

If an Aikidoka is in range for a true hook, he/she is already dead meat,
they are right in the goal zone, the last place they want to be.  The hook
is a follow-up, not used for leading (at least not by a skillful fighter).

An Aikidoka's goal is generally to lead their opponent to overcommit a
straight punch or a looping swing.  Don't worry about true hooks if you're
focusing on Aikido, focus on not being where the 'hooker' ;-) wants you to be.

>It seems to me that a ofensive hook, i.e one in which the attacker is trying 
> to cover ground may expose more of his center or cause him to lose his 
> balance, but nage may not always be able
>to run around and induce this. 

You're describing some goon lurching around swinging their arms like a baboon,
not a technician leading with long hooks, or even swings.  Long hooks are not 
that different from straight punches, as far as Aikido counters are 
concerned, except they use a slightly downward hooking trajectory at the end 
and take a little longer to get to the target.  The difference comes in
when your arms are extended, and hooks tend to go around them rather than
up the center, but that's not all that pertinent to the Aikidoka sitting
out at long ranging trying to draw a committed attack.  
TO deal with long hooks (or swings) the usual approach of moving just outside 
or just inside and moving into any preferred Kokyu-Nage or Irimi-Nage usually 
works just fine.  You just have to get used to seeing the trajectory on its
way and planning ahead in your mind.  Don't use special techniques for
swings and long hooks, just adapt your distancing appropriately.

If you have trouble dealing with wild swings, it's probably mostly a matter 
of your basic leading skills, and being afraid of the punches or inexperienced
in dealing with them (both are natural of course).  I suggest for the latter, 
putting on a headgear and mouthpiece and having an opponent put on big gloves 
and just swing at you until you become confident that you can easily out-time 
their swings and take their balance.  Ten years of having slow yokumen attacks 
thrown at you, or even fast yokumen attacks will not make you more confident 
against a really aggressive swing, and most people will not throw the attack 
'with bad intentions' without some safety precautions being introduced.  

As for close hooks, if you are still concerned about them, learn to duck the
head hooks and block the body books with your elbows, and then move
into a counter.  At close hooking range, footwork won't generally
get you anywhere fast enough.  The one other thing you might try is
a hand stop directly to the hooking shoulder (or bicep if their hook is
loose).  The problem with this is that you oppose his movement, and he
gets back any balance and energy committment you might want to otherwise
take advantage of.  Done well, though, you can spin him in the other direction
and throw that way, or find some other unbalancing opening.

>I would be obliged if any of the more experienced could give me some hints.
>						Thanks.
> 
				I hope something in this is helpful.

>ps. In a similar fasion how does Aikido deal with the "upper-cut" in theory
>I believe this should be similar to 'ski' type attacks, is that so?

Similar considerations apply.  
Uppercuts are used mostly to blast people from crouches, or followup a
combination, along with short hooks.  If you're crouching as an Aikidoka, 
you're already in trouble, posture-wise.  And if your opponent is leading
with long uppercuts (*gasp*), it shouldn't be too hard to apply the usual
munetsuki counters, with some adaptation.   Just don't stand in and try
to block them, unless you're very good at that, because the angle can be very 
deceptive.  Avoid the trajectory entirely by getting to the side with sharp
irimi footwork or sidesteps, and counter by pivoting with the uppercut.

					hope this helps,

					todd