The spectator problem in randori( What in the hell you boys trying to do to each other?)

The problem with watching aikido randori transactions that are competiviely charged is that you don't see a lot of recognizable technique.  A lot of techniques are labeled after the fact.  A guy falls down in a jerk and twist and it gets a name.  In Judo, it seems that folks can see it coming before the technique arrives.  The problem with sport is that it has to be recognizable to a spectator/fan: someone who doesnt do it, and has never done it, but can visually recognize skill and good technique over dumbass luck.  Aikido randori hasnt hit that point.  I love Aikido, but when I watch a randori match on you tube I scratch my head. 

I watched the hat randori a few months ago didnt know what to make of it, and then i watched it again.  I was surprised at how much it opened up competitive randori to where I was actually seeing techniques that are clearly executed instead of stumbled into.  Was it perfection?  No, but some problems have been solved.  You could clearly see counter move, and counter thinking.  The kid grabbed the hat twice, went to the well a third time and recieved the best competititve shomenate I have seen in my wonderings on You tube. 

We all know that a lot of aikido technique kicks off on a reach and grab.  An overextension.   I read an older tomiki book, the Higashi book where he describes most offbalances as coming from a lapel grab.  The extended arm fingers out posture of old tomiki films, imply a reach more than an actual strike.   The theory that aikido developed in part as a counter to judo thinking is supported in this thinking.  How would the typical new guy in the dojo try to handle Morty Youshiba?  We all know that everybody did judo, and judo was the default problem solver.  Reach grab, pull, push, throw.

I have heard that tomiki started with toshu randori then introduced the tanto form because the transactions were ending with judo solutions instead of aikido solutions.  The tanto at least caused an extension motion.  but an actual grab was not there.  That may be the reason why watching tanto randori isnt that interesting of an experience. The intention of reaching and grabbing isnt there.

We all have to admit that Tomiki was a man who was constantly looking at his ideas and reworking them.  Tanto randori, if Tomiki had lived longer may have just been an idea that didnt pan out. 

It seems hat randori solves some issues.  And at least you can see a skillfully played hat grab.