Randori

There are some aspects from martial arts I have always liked. I am not a real fan of the Japanese martial arts, but I must say I find amazing this one called Randori.
You see Randori is the last step (if I may say so) to proving your skills.
Randori describes a free-style practice or sparring, sometimes with multiple attackers. The term literally means “chaos taking” or “grasping freedom,” implying a freedom from the structured practice of kata.
I don’t know how familiar you are with this term, but it has a huge impact in martial arts.
The exact meaning of randori depends on the martial art it is used in. In judo, jujitsu and Shodokan Aikido, among others, it most often refers to one-on-one sparring where partners attempt to resist and counter each other’s techniques. In other styles of aikido, in particular Aikikai, it refers to a form of practice in which a designated aikidoka defends against multiple attackers in quick succession without knowing how they will attack or in what order.
This form of randori is not sparring, and the attackers are usually not allowed to resist or attempt to counter the defender’s techniques. The term is used only by Aikikai dojos outside Japan. In Japan, this form of practice is called taninzu-gake, which literally means multiple attackers.
In Steven Stegal’s Tenshin Aikido Federation (Not Independent, remained Aikikai), their randori is different from Aikikai. The attackers can do anything from the defender (e.g. Punch, Grab, Kick etc.) In kendo, jigeiko means “friendly” free combat as in competition, but not counting the points.
I will show you some demonstrations of the randori. The first one is from the dojo (early days of Steven Seagal) and the second one from All Japan Aikido Demonstration.

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