角氷立ち会い

The Ice-cube Tachiai principle denotes how the Body should move at the Tachiai.

It was described to me|ShiroiKuma by Konishiki III.

It means that the Body must move forth as if it were an ice cube.

The legs must slide on the Dohyou never losing contact with it.

Three points must hit the opponent at the same time as if they form the front wall of the ice cube: both hands and the head.

This hit must occurr at the same time you take a strong step.

Thus the whole ice cube is moving at the same time as one compact form.

This Posture must be born in mind when doing Suriashi, since that is what you should be trying to practice by Suriashi.

The most important aspect is the hit with the hands. It must be a Power hit. It must not be artificial, or touch-and-go, hitting the opponent slightly and immediately going for Yotsu or not hitting at all and aiming for Yotsu right at the Tachiai.

You must hit the opponent with full Power, shaking him up, and immediately taking him back, with Hazuoshi, or Tsuppari if the need for it arises, according to the situation.

The importance of the hand-hit was well demonstrated by Ama in his match on day 12 of Hatsu Basho 2005. He hit with both hands at the Tachiai, moving according to the Ice-cube Tachiai principle. Shook the opponent up, and because of this had no problem raising him up and pushing him out.

The absence of the hand-hit on the other hand is a fatal mistake. On the same day Kokkai fought Kotonowaka. He didn't hit and because of this allowed Kotonowaka, otherwise seriously out of shape, to gain Morozashi and then beat him. If he would have hit hard, Kotonowaka who had a high center of gravity wouldn't have been able to do anything at all.