In practice there are three clear ways to practice katadori-menuchi:

1. Uke grabs Tori‘s shoulder securely, then he strikes to Tori‘s head; Tori braces the strike with sokumen-irimi
2. Uke grabs Tori‘s shoulder and strikes at the same time to Tori‘s head; Tori braces the strike with sokumen-irimi
3. Uke grabs Tori‘s shoulder/biceps and strikes at the same time to Tori‘s head; Tori is already doing sokumen-irimi sotomawari blending with the strike

The first way of practice is for a newcomer trying katadori-menuchi without knowing shomenuchi ikkyo first. The second way absorbs the impact and is used to vet new techniques, but each partner must blend and be kind for this type of practice. The third way is the practice type of choice for shihans. Especially Tamura Sensei, Tissier Sensei1, Nishio Sensei2, Osawa Sensei3, Shishiya Sensei4, etc.

The third type of katadori-menuchi should be the real style of practice. Why? These techniques start to show up on ikkyu and higher tests. The expectation is that ikkyo, nikyo, shihonage etc. etc. are well-practiced before starting katadori-menuchi. Also, ideas of extension and blending should definitely be well-ingrained before working on these techniques. If the first way of practicing is practiced all the time, then practice becomes jittery and choppy quickly.

Also, the third type of katadori-menuchi practice is like a reward for hard efforts put toward earlier techniques. It is very flowing practice with a lot of energy and momentum and feels great to practice with a like-minded partner.

With the third style, Tori does not have to unrealistically wait for Uke to grab the gi material on the shoulder then strike. This is funny. Instead, Uke can just grab whatever he can from the elbow up. If he wants to grab the elbow then let him. If he wants to grip the biceps, let him try. These are ideas picked up primarily from Tissier Senei, Nishio Sensei and Shishiya Sensei. In fact Shishiya Sensei says not to hit each other’s forearm4.

Update: 2010.11.11 – Just by pure luck class tonight was katadori-menuchi at BRA and I got to work exclusively with style number three. My partners were working with style number two – which is totally fine – so I could better contrast the two styles some more. I was told I was more fluid and relaxed “for some reason”.

Update: 2010.11.12 – In style number three Tori starts with ikkyo undo as an atemi, but does not actually hit Uke nor stop to pause.

1. http://wazajournal.com/kamae/tachi/katadori-menuchi-iriminage.html [↩]
2. http://wazajournal.com/kamae/tachi/katadori-menuchi-tembinnage.html [↩]
3. http://wazajournal.com/techniques/ikkyo/katadori-menuchi-ikkyo-and-nikyo-osawa-sensei.html [↩]
4. http://wazajournal.com/techniques/ikkyo/katadori-menuchi-ikkyo.html [↩] [↩]