Unsoku - Foot movements
A drill to develop the basic skill to avoid an attack.

Unsoku (Foot Movements) is a series of body movements designed to promote good posture and avoidance skills within the Tomiki system of Aikido. This exercise is divided into three sections all of which should be practised as often as possible.

When practising these movements you should try to implement the following:

Keep good basic posture and centre throughout all movements.   Use Tsugi-Ashi (succeeding/sliding feet) at all times.   Try not to hop or skip when stepping through each movement.  Do not swing your body or shoulders.  Practise slowly in the beginning to ensure the correctness of movement.  Do not let it become a dance, each movement is an avoidance and should be performed with commitment and solid posture.

Please note that below is a list of the movements with animated gif pictures and mpg video clips.  These are not meant to replace your Instructor but to act as a reference for your information.

Follow the Unsoku (foot movements) through the three sequences of avoidance.  Each section has a count of 8 movements and follow on from each other.

Unsoku
Section 1
  1. Step forward on the left posture.
  2. Step back in left posture.
  3. Step back in left posture
  4. Step forward and bring both feet together.
  5. Step forward in right posture.
  6. Step backwards in right posture.
  7. Step backwards in right posture.
  8. Step forward and bring both feet together.
   
Unsoku
Section 2
  1. Side step to the left.
  2. Side step to the right.
  3. Side step to the right.
  4. Side step to the left.
  5. Side step to the right.
  6. Side step to the left.
  7. Side step to the left.
  8. Side step to the right.
   
Unsoku
Section 3
  1. Side step forward left.
  2. Back to center.
  3. Side step forward right.
  4. Back to center.
  5. Side step to rear left.
  6. Back to centre.
  7. Side step to rear right.
  8. Back to center.