Uke and Tori meaning in BJJ

Uke and Tori meaning in BJJ

I am often asked, what is the meaning of Uke and tori in BJJ? To answer, almost all drilling in a Jiu-Jitsu class is done with one person, usually a professor or instructor, who is PERFORMING the move being practiced. That person is the Tori (Tori – the executor of the technique). In addition, the other person who has the technique  BEING PERFORMED UPON THEM is the Uke (Uke – the receiver of the technique). For the students of Savarese BJJ, the uke is often Elliot, Nate or Maverick. In some places, being the Uke is an honor, as you are someone the instructor trusts to be in lock step with him and not interrupt his “flow” while teaching. One of the best ways to learn in Jiu-Jitsu is to be the Uke to a more advanced Tori. When I started Jiu-Jitsu, I was often the Uke to my instructor David Adiv (www.gracienj.com) at his school at the Somerset Hills YMCA. At first I was nervous but realized I was learning a lot more by having the techniques being performed on me and feeling them. As time passed I benefitted immensely as first, I felt what perfectly executed technique should feel like first hand, and in time I got closer and closer to replicating that in my own training. Second, I gained insight on technique that can only come from feeling it rather than just watching it. Third, I learned about the correct reactions to the technique as they were taught in chains and combinations. When you are the Uke in training,  recognize it as a tremendous opportunity to boost your skill level indirectly and be loose, not stiff. Soon the best people in the Academy will want to drill with you and you will accelerate your learning even faster. In addition, if you are the guy that when it’s time to get a partner for drills and everyone walks away from you and no one makes eye contact, that’s a pretty good sign that you are not a good Uke during positional drilling and need to improve.