when you try to lift you try to get some sort of hook in. you use to hook to mess with their balance and general game pattern. in a normal akido ring if it looks like its going to be a a lift battle you've lost. Resist the urge to extend the back leg. let it hang there or contract. it helps to keep you from missing the ground next turn or give you a hook close ready to get a hook. depends on how powerful the lift is. this aplies early game mostly because i find i get a bum dq late game. the same principles used in top game grappling are used here when it comes to getting hooks. so feet and knees. also remember you are longer on the diagonal. first replay is multiplayer, the second one shows using hooks in a top