A. Center of Gravity (COG) - The middle point of your Tori's weight where the mass is equally balanced. Ideally the abs joint is the approximate COG of a Tori. The lifting advantage is always with the fighter with a lower COG.

B. Base - Defined by floor contacts (foot and hand placements on the floor) as well as how low the Tori's COG is to the floor. A low, wide base is preferable to a high, narrow base which is vulnerable (like the tori's starting position).

C. Balance - The horizontal distance between a tori's COG and floor contacts. A Tori will be unbalanced if their COG is moved outside of their base. A floating base describes having a foot/hand floating just above the floor so that it would keep the Tori in balance but with the advantage of being able to move freely without resistance. This can also be achieved by using your opponent's base to stay in balance.

D. Kuzushi (Off Balancing Attacks) - A principle step of any takedown or throw, the COG is pushed outside the supporting range of its floor contacts, or if the floor contacts are swiftly removed from under the COG.

E. Positioning/Level Change - Setting your base to counter your opponent's base. Ideally a lower and balanced COG is advantageous against most stances; or you want to have a high COG weighing down an unbalanced opponent. A level change is the act of retracting all floor contacts so you may rapidly drop your COG for a low base.

A. Grip - Any enabled grip can be used to either move your own Tori OR your opponent (Uke). The deciding factor is how your base is positioned against your opponent's base. A grip can also be used to tactically immobilize your opponent's limb(s).

B. Reap - Directly removing Uke's floor contacts to break their base and force Kuzushi. This can be applied through leg grabs, foot sweeps or leg hooks. A hook is a method to control your opponent without gripping or used in conjunction with gripping. Wrap an arm or leg around Uke's target limb and contract to lock down the hook. (ex: underhook/overhook, inside/outside leg hook).

C. Tori Manipulation - Grabs can also have different types of control over your opponent. For example a grab near Uke's COG (lumber/abs/hips) gives you power to lift and move your opponent while a grab far from your Uke's COG (head/legs) gives you power to rotate your opponent.

D. Grabbing Risks - Any enabled grip also holds some risk of self inflicted damage. This risk is greatly reduced when the wrist joint is relax/held and should be kept this way unless extending/contracting is crucial to your technique. Also be aware of possible self-grabs as these can have disastrous consequences if not avoided.

A. Grounded Force - All movement is generated by applying a force into the floor/tori which then returns an "equal and opposite" force. This means that a strong push into the floor will return a strong force that can be translated into moving your opponent. Very often a move fails because it applies a force that was not grounded and instead ended in compromising the supporting base.

B. Coupled Forces - Applying two equal and opposite forces to exert a purely rotational force. The produced rotational force is multiplied by increasing the radial distance between the two applied forces. This principle can be applied with the simple arm swap (raising one shoulder while lowering the other simultaneously) or with more advanced techniques like harai goshi (see graphic below).

C. Leverage Force - The further your control points are from an applied fulcrum, the greater the leverage force. For example in a foot sweep the fulcrum is applied at your opponent's knees/shins/ankles using your foot, and your control point is high on your opponent's head or arms. With the low fulcrum and high control point established, the leverage force is applied through blocking your opponent's feet while pulling down and away on your opponent's head (see graphic below).

D. Concentration of Forces - Committing as many joints as possible in one turn to project a single large force or fast movement. With practice this principle will create explosive actions that can turn the direction of a fight in just a few frames. This comes at the price of self injury and self DQ's from misjudging distance.

E. Saves/Counters/Drives
- - - 1. Saving is delivering forces to stop the momentum which would have resulted in your own DQ.
- - - 2. Countering is manipulating a threatening momentum or force in a way that would put your opponent at a disadvantage or DQ.
- - - 3. Driving is delivering forces to add to a momentum that will DQ your opponent.

A. Striking - The practice of inflicting damage on your opponent using your hands, elbows, knees, and feet. Elbow and knee strikes are best delivered with a contracted joint or you risk self injury. Punches and kicks can be delivered by either extension or contraction of the elbow/knee with proper timing and precision. Headbutts seldom offer fracturing or dismembering attacks but more often inflict more damage on your own tori.

B. Injury(DMs and Fractures) - Any injury you inflict on your opponent (whether intentional or not) can be further used against them. For example if you injure your opponent's limb joint(s), ungrab that limb and try to force them to use it as a floor contact. Never assume victory just because you DM'ed your opponent, drive the DQ forcibly.

C. Point Fighting - Point victories are legitimate strategies and can hold the same merit as any DQ victory. It is imperative that you give attention to delivering and preventing damage especially if you fight in a large dojo. A classically good way to start a fight is by delivering a strong strike to get an edge on points.

D. Headhunting - The beautiful art of decapitating heads. Decap's are more successful when the force focuses closer to the neck joint rather then the top of the head. Grab attacks should focus on twisting and torquing the neck. Impact attacks (strikes) should aim to forcefully push the head perpendicular to its movable axis. Also you can wedge your arm/leg into the space under the neck and explosively extend/contract to rapidly expand the space, separating the neck from the torso. Happy hunting.

A. Staging Attacks - A complete offensive attack should follow 4 steps that derive from Judo principles.
- - - 1. Tsukuri (fitting): Establish grip(s) and determine the best possible attack. Position your base accordingly and adjust grips if needed.
- - - 2. Kuzushi (unbalancing): Through some method of a push/pull/lift/rotation you will attempt to offset your opponent's COG and/or base so they are no longer in-line with one another. IF THIS ATTEMPT FAILS then return to Step 1. Tsukuri to adjust your attack strategy.
- - - 3. Kake (execution): Concentrate downward forces to drive your opponent to the floor and continue blocking their floor contacts so there is no chance to counter or save.
- - - 4. Osaekomi (pin): Secure a stable top position that maximizes pressure onto your downed opponent to force the DQ. Make SMALL adjustments to your base while keeping critical control points and forces constant.

B. Situational Awareness - In every turn, understand YOUR OPPONENT'S FORM before planning your own. Understand their positioning and what their next movement could be and premeditate your movement accordingly. Also look to recognize positions that offer openings for your best techniques. Always try to reserve a limb to post a floor contact if needed.

C. Method of Mastery -
Failure->Learning->Knowledge->Success->Repetition->Experience->Skill->Dominance
This can be summarized in the TA motto: YOU WIN OR YOU LEARN

D. Ego - The ending loss or victory is a summed result of your own actions. Saying things like "lucky win", "misclicked", "bull**** wrist dm!", "cheap move", these are ALL emotional excuses that deny you from learning from your mistake(s), however small they may be. Instead find where your mistake was and work on it. GG is optional.

shovel - shovel.rpl
Starting with both arms down, raising them on the next turn with leg/torso grabs and lifting opponent outside the dojo.
org rating: LAME
counter: lift kick, lift, low grab

lift - lift.rpl
Lifting Uke outside the dojo.
org rating: LAME
counter: low grab

liftkick - lift_kick.rpl
Kicking and lifting Uke outside the dojo.
org rating: LAME
counter: kick check, leg grab, lift

arm swap - arm_swap.rpl
Simply raising one shoulder while lowering the other shoulder simultaneously.
This subliminal movement is applied in so many techniques and should be understood properly.
org rating: NOVICE
counter: reflecting arm swap

basic suplex - basic_suplex.rpl
Pulling and lifting Uke above yourself and landing him above your head outside the dojo, straight arms. (See video tutorial).
org rating: NOVICE
counter: low grab, pull guard

turnover - turnover.rpl
Gripping Uke with one hand and stand on another to throw him, this is a powerful counter. (See video tutorial).
org rating: OKAY
counter: pin pressure, your own turnover

single leg takedown - single.rpl
Grip one of Uke's legs and drive him to the floor or combine with a throw/sweep. (See leg attacks tutorial).
org rating: OKAY
counter: pin pressure, your own turnover

basic hip throw - hip_throw.rpl
Set your hips to face away from Uke, lift and throw over hips. (See basic hip throw tutorial).
This is a very advanced and powerful technique in counters and offensive attacks. There are many variations.
org rating: GREAT
counter: full throw

dynamic gripping - dynamic_gripping.rpl
Frequently switching grips on Uke can give better control and will falsify your his ghost movements.
Fight for grips that control Uke's base and COG.

Upper-Body Grip Hierarchy
outside grips < neutral grips < 2 on 1 < inside grips < head and arm < COG and arm < bodylock < over/under-hooks

Lower-Body Grip Hierarchy
leg 2 on 1 < single + arm < ankle pick < single + COG < double leg grab < double leg wrap + arm

snap down (quarter throw) - snap_down.rpl
With a wide base, contract elbows and pull Uke straight to the floor or where he is unbalanced.
This move is most effective with COG control.
org rating: OKAY
counter: suplex, turnover, half throw

proper suplex - proper_suplex.rpl
Suplexing Uke without straight raising your arms, but using torso, elbows and shoulders. (See video tutorial).
org rating: GOOD
counter: low grab, raise shoulders

half throw - half_throw.rpl
Pulling Uke on side, and spinning him with arms Torso rotated by half, hence the name. (See video tutorial).
org rating: GOOD
counter: full throw

hiza guruma (knee wheel throw) - hiza_guruma.rpl
Front facing Uke, apply your sweeping leg anywhere between Uke's knee and COG and arm swap to throw Uke over your leg.
org rating: GREAT
counter: basic suplex, leg catch

full throw (lateral drop) - full_throw.rpl
Throw with arms swap and full torso rotation from one side to another, hence the name "full". (See video tutorial).
If you are throwing to the left then your right leg should be the applied base leg.
org rating: GREAT
counter:

sode tsurikomi goshi (sleeve lift hip throw) - sode_tsurikomi_goshi.rpl
With neutral sleeve grips you turn out and plant both feet, lift Uke and extend knees to throw Uke over your hips.
org rating: GREAT
counters:

uki goshi (floating hip throw) - uki_goshi.rpl
One grip on Uke's COG, you turn and plant both feet, lift and throw Uke over your hips.
org rating: GREAT
counters:

harai goshi / ashi guruma (sweeping hip throw / leg wheel) - ashi_guruma.rpl - harai_goshi.rpl
Turn out and apply one sweeping leg across Uke's legs and base on your other leg to execute a hip throw.
In ashi guruma Uke is thrown over your leg.
In harai goshi your leg helps sweep and throw Uke over your hip.
org rating: GREAT
counter: basic suplex, leg catch

uchi mata (inner thigh throw) - uchi_mata.rpl
Turn out, apply one sweeping leg in between Uke's thighs and use your other base leg to lift Uke while executing the throw.
This throw requires precise leg placement and timing of the arm swap.
org rating: ELITE
counter:

seoi nage (shoulder throw) - seoi_nage.rpl
Grip only one of Uke's arms, turn out and drop your base to throw Uke over your shoulder.
org rating: ELITE
counter: low grab

tai otoshi (body drop) - tai_otoshi.rpl
Swiftly turn out and to the side of Uke and use your grips to whip Uke to the floor.
This is an explosive throw where no lift is required but instead relies on powerful rotation, concentration of forces are key to this technique.
Try to use your base leg to block Uke's feet.
org rating: ELITE
counter: low grab

kosoto gake (small outside hook) - kosotogake.rpl
Front facing Uke, apply one leg to the outside of Uke's leg and hook it with your knee joint. Use this to unbalance and force Uke to the floor.
org rating: GOOD
counter:

osoto gari (big outside hook) - osoto_gari.rpl
Apply a leg hook around Uke's leg(s) while pulling their upper body to the floor.
org rating: GREAT
counter: half throw

ouchi gari (big inside hook) - ouchi_gari.rpl
Apply a leg hook [i]in between[.i] Uke's legs while driving their upper body to the floor.
org rating: GREAT
counter: half throw, half-guard

kouchi gari (small inside reap) - kouchigari.rpl
Front facing Uke, apply a sweeping foot to horizontally sweep/block Uke's leg(s) from the inside while pulling their upper body to the floor.
This technique can be chained with ouchi gari effectively. (If one fails, try the other).
org rating: ELITE
counter: hand base

cross pick - cross_pick.rpl
Apply arm and leg grips on the same side of Uke. (Grip Uke's left arm and left leg or right arm and right leg).
With both limbs controlled it's easy to force DQ this side.
org rating: OKAY
counter:

overturn single - overturn_single.rpl - overturn_single (2).rpl
Shoot low, grip a leg and pull it back and upwards, with your other grip pull their upper-body straight to the floor. (See leg attacks tutorial).
This is the proper way to apply an arm swap to leg takedowns.
org rating: GOOD
counter: turnover

knee tap - knee_tap.rpl
Shoot low, one hand grips Uke's leg/ankle and pulls inside towards the other leg.
The other hand grips high pulls down and towards the leg grab. Combine with hip leverage for power. (See leg attacks tutorial).
org rating: GOOD
counter: hand base, pull guard

double leg takedown - double_leg.rpl
Using both your hands to grab both Uke's legs to drive them into the floor or to lift and slam Uke.
org rating: GREAT
counter: decap attempt, hand base, guard sweep

double leg wrap - double_wrap.rpl
One hand will hook the near leg while gripping the far leg, the other hand grabs and pulls their upper body to the floor.
This is the most devastating leg attack because it effectively controls Uke's two legs and one arm, leaving only one arm left to counter post.
org rating: ELITE
counter: decap attempt, ask nicely for him to stop

pin pressure - pin_pressure.rpl
Establish a secure top position on Uke and make small adjustments with minimized floor contact to weigh them down.
org rating: OKAY
counter: max your floor contacts

post denial - post_denial.rpl
Apply grips to Uke's floor contacts and contract elbows or break their posts to force DQ.
org rating: GOOD
counter: bridge and invert/revert

mounting / guarding - half_guard.rpl - full_mount.rpl
Pull yourself into Uke and wrap your legs around their limbs or torso to lock the guard and ride Uke's base.
Follow with pin-pressure or post on the floor to set up a sweep.
org rating: GOOD
counter: sprawl, grab posting arm

pancake - pancake.rpl
Against a grounded or unbalanced Uke, arm swap and rotate so your hips are pressured into Uke, forcing the DQ.
org rating: GREAT
counter:

ground n' pound (GnP) - gnp.rpl
Secure a stable top position, deliver damaging strikes for a point victory.
org rating: ELITE
counter: catch strikes, escape bottom position

bridge/tripod - bridge,rpl
Apply as many floor contacts as possible and raise COG as high as possible.
org rating: NOVICE
counter: pin pressure + post denial


inverting - inverting.rpl
Lower an ungrabbed hand to the floor and raise your gripped arm. Retract your feet from the floor and arm-swap to invert your base. Repeat arm swap to revert to a standing base.
org rating: OKAY
counter: post denial

half guard - half_guard.rpl
Lock two leg hooks around only one of Uke's legs to secure a half guard.
This guard can be used to fight from the bottom with sweeps, turnovers, and leg picks.
org rating: OKAY
counter:

full guard - full_guard.rpl
Against a standing Uke, lock two leg hooks around Uke's torso/hips and secure a posted hand base or floating base.
This guard can be used to fight from the bottom with sweeps, turnovers, and leg picks.
org rating: GOOD
counter:

hip sweep - hip_sweep.rpl
From any guard, post off the floor and raise Uke slightly. Pull Uke in while you rotate into the floor, effectively sweeping Uke.
Manipulate pecs for max-effect.
org rating: GREAT
counter:

scissor sweep - scissor_sweep.rpl
See tutorial, pull guard and then simultaneously post your hand while hooking their feet with one leg and kicking their hip/torso with the other.
Manipulate pecs/chest for max effect. Concentration of forces is key.
org rating: ELITE
counter: sprawl, snapdown

snapkick - snapkick.rpl (results vary)
Rotate-chest towards your kicking leg, kicking leg lunges forward and snaps open to strike Uke.
Aim to kick through Uke, targeting his hips, lumbar/chest connection, shoulder/pec connection.
Always have a followup technique planned such as a punch, level change, or replanting your kicking leg.
org rating: NOVICE
counter: kick check, leg grab

hook punch - hook.rpl
Throw a wide, swinging punch and contract elbow prior to impact.
Aim for sweet spots (neck, back of pecs, chest/lumbar connection).
org rating: OKAY
counter: block with contracted elbows/knees

kick check - kick_check.rpl, (more examples)
Block Uke's snapkick by contracting your lead leg's knee and driving it into the incoming kick.
This will reduce damage on your tori and set up an easy follow up attack such as a single leg takedown.
org rating GOOD
counter: footsweep

elbow strike - elbow_strike.rpl
Impact Uke with a contracted elbow. Effective for short-range and opening strikes.
org rating: GOOD
counter: block with contracted elbows/knees

knee strike - knee_strike.rpl
Impact Uke with a contracted knee.
org rating: GREAT
counter: block with contracted elbows/knees

hook kick - hook_kick.rpl
With some spin on your Tori, back-kick Uke and contract your knee prior to impact (Similar to hook punch).
org rating: GREAT
counter: double/single leg attack

power cross - power_cross.rpl
Curl and drop the punching arm, grip and raise your opponent with the other arm. Then fire the cross at Uke's centerline while aiming with gripped arm's pec and elbow.
org rating: ELITE
counter: