Triangulation
I just thought I would throw this topic out there. We touched on it a little bit last night in class and my interpretation was different. It sounds like this has more to do with feet and steps. My interpretation of the three points in the triangle were my center, the ball joint, and Uke's center. I thought about it last night and the two interpretations seem to fit together well. Is there a defining view on triangulation? Is the way I have been thinking about it incorrect or is it the same thing just using different words to explain it?
There are different places and different ways triangulation can be applied.
The way you're looking at is interesting. I sometimes look at the shared center of gravity as a link, but not in the same way you're looking at. I'll definitely have to play with this.
In Aikido, and sometimes Judo, we see triangulation typically with the feet. Tori's two feet are an equilateral (equidistant) triangle to uke's support foot. This is great, because we are looking at it from a center-of-gravity point of view. Focusing on the feet also takes away focus from hands, which often gets us into trouble.
In Judo grappling, we see triangulation with the hands as a powerful element. It can be used defensively to keep your partner off of you, or offensively to pull him toward you. It is often referred to as two hands in one spot.
Is triangulation something you look for, or is it something you practice slowly, like getting off line in the releases, and it becomes more of a reaction or feel? Almost like a second nature thing.
Is triangulation something you look for?
When learning, absolutely. You have to look opportunities, even though they're literally everywhere.
Is it something you practice slowly, like getting off line in the release?
Yes. I try to practice all new concepts slowly. Speed hides mistakes. We build from success, and slowness makes success much more probable.
It becomes more of a reaction or feel? Almost like a second nature thing.
In my opinion, yes. Once you've done a lot of repetition your body internalizes the relationship of the centers of gravity. At this point the subconscious is in charge, which is what we want because it's typically 2-3 times faster (reaction) versus conscious thought process.