Tai Sabaki
(体捌き)
Glossary Entry
A Japanese martial term referring to the coordinated movement and repositioning of the body to manage distance, angle, and relationship to an opponent.
MEANING & ETYMOLOGY
体
(tai)
Body; physical form.
捌き
(sabaki)
Handling, management, or skillful maneuvering; derived from sabaku (捌く), to handle, manage, or deal with.
Term Type
Martial principle
lITERAL SENSE
Literally “body management” or “body handling,” tai sabaki refers to the coordinated use of the body to change position and relationship. In martial arts, this commonly involves controlling distance and angle through stepping, turning, entering, withdrawing, or otherwise repositioning in response to an opponent.
See Also
References
Westbrook, Adele, & Ratti, Oscar (1973). Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan. Tuttle Publishing.
Shioda, Gozo (1977). Dynamic Aikido. Kodansha International.
Ninomiya, Joko, & Edler, Coe (1998). The Sabaki Method: Karate in the Inner Circle. Frog Books.
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