The Rules of Judo

Because judo is generally thought of as a gentle form of martial arts, many people assume that injuries are rare in the sport. But what we must remember is that, even with its gentleness, judo still involves punching, kicking, and falling, plus plenty of potential for repetitive sports injuries. So even with all that padding that judo competitors wear, it can be a dangerous sport.

The rules of judo focus on keeping injuries from happening, but there are also major elements designed to keep things fair and to ensure that contestants show proper etiquette to one another. With these motivations in mind, let’s look at the main rules of judo.

There are certain restrictions upon what judo competitors can do, including:
• You cannot attempt to intentionally injure another opponent.
• You cannot punch or kick in ways that aren’t permitted in the judo rules.
• You may not strike or touch an opponent’s face.
• You may not wear metallic objects during competition.
• You may not stall the match from moving forward.
• You may not adopt a defensive posture.
• You may not fake attacks, as this incites a counterattack, which goes against judo.
• You may not ignore or subvert orders given by the judo judge.

Players are expected to show a great deal of courtesy to one another and to all in attendance. As such, there is a set of etiquette rules that all competitors must follow. These include:
• Contestants are required to bow to the room before walking onto the mat.
• Before and after competition, contestants must bow to each other.
• Foul language and inappropriate body language are forbidden.

There are two levels of penalties in judo. The shido is given when a contestant has made a minor infringement such as stalling, faking an attack, or adopting a defensive posture. The hansoku make is given when a player either accumulates four shidos or commits a serious infraction such as intentionally inflicting injury on an opponent or punching an opponent’s face.

Players win by scoring an ippon, which is considered “one full point” and decides who wins the match. It’s awarded in a variety of match-ending scenarios, such as when one player throws another on her back. Two waza-ari equal one ippon. The smallest point awarded in judo is a yuko. These are only considered when a match ends in a tie, in which case the player with the most yuko wins.

How to Tie a Judo Belt

It's not hard to tie a judo belt, once you know how to do it. Here are step-by-step instructions on tying a judo belt.

To get started, place the center of your judo belt at your belly button and wrap both ends around your back. Bring the ends around the front and cross the left side over the right. Bring the left side of the judo belt back up underneath the middle of the belt at your belly button. This will form a half-knot.

Now take the right side of your judo belt and cross it through the hole created by the left side. Pull both ends to tighten the knot. The ends of your judo belt should be sticking out of the sides diagonally, not straight up and down. There shouldn't be any twists or other disfigurements in the judo belt.

Practice tying your judo belt until you are proficient at doing so quickly and efficiently. Being able to tie a judo belt the correct way will help you appear (and feel) like an experienced judo player. At the same time, having a judo belt that comes undone during practice can emphasize that you are a beginner. (Don't freak out if your belt does come undone, however. It happens to everybody. Really. Even black belts.) Don't be afraid to ask a judo instructor or advanced judo practitioner for help.

A note on tying the belt. Always cross the left over the right first. It is an old Japanese tradition to close a robe on a corpse with the right side over the left side, and it's good judo practice to respect that custom by closing your gi with the left side over the right side. Your belt should mirror this. You never know when to expect an old school sensei in the dojo!

     By: Maeve Rich

Japanese Judo Techniques

Martial arts is a system that has been in practice since very long. This system of physical art was basically introduced in Asia as a self defense technique. But Judo is much more than this. It is a refined system of ancient martial art and is considered to be a way of life. It is more commonly practiced in Japan in a more intensive and a pure form. Initially in its development processes it was considered more as a sport which later transformed into a self defense program. It is often said that Judo was developed and designed in beneficially for the Japanese in wellness of their character and physical fitness. This makes it much clear that this art system was developed in Japan.
Judo is a unique kind of martial arts that has in its syllabus no method of kicking and punching and yet making it a reliable and self defense art. Hence it is called a gentle art . It has two main principles, ‘Maximum efficiency’ and ‘Mutual welfare and Benefit’. Strangles, throws and joint locks are the key techniques of Judo. This combat sport does not contain lethal and damaging moves as it is mainly a sport and a self defence program. It mainly focuses on grappling which includes handling and controlling of an opponent without the use of striking. Judo also uses the pinning techniques. Judo is not a martial art where direct action is used against the opponent but is a gentle form of defeating one’s opponent by tricking him with his own tactics. Hence the reason Judo , in one way teaches mental awareness and calm.
In learning and practicing, a Judo player is recognized as a ‘Judoka’ while the uniform he wears is the ‘Judogi’. The teacher having qualified above the 4th dan and imparting Judo lessons and techniques is respectably known as ‘Sensei’. Detailing the student with the techniques and helping the student understand the real objective is the major job for the teacher. Judogi, generally meaning judo uniform is a white colored uniform, which appears in recent times in a renewed form. Every student and practitioner of Judo has to follow a strict set of rules to ensure safety and to keep up to the sport spirit.

Judo uses simple and effective, gentle techniques like throwing, grappling, body striking, blocks etc. which are subdivided further. There are also the different forms (Kata) out of which ‘Randori’ (free style sparring) is given a major emphasis. Standing and ground phases form the two phases of Combat. This is the essential part of Combat in Judo. In Judo different styles are practiced in different parts of the world, among which ‘Kodokan Judo’ is well known and most popular than any other style in this form of Martial art. Though this form is an effective way of self defense, dedication and intense training are at the basic levels in order to qualify for defending oneself.

Belt is an important symbol for ranking a Judo learner or practitioner. The belt color depends upon the qualification of the student in Judo. The colors differ from Junior to Senior differently in different countries. Of the colors used White is usually the first in Judo and changes succeedingly to yellow, orange, green, blue, brown and finally black.

With its gentle techniques, this fully featured martial art has developed as a popular sport. It is also made an event in the Olympics. It is practically a safe sport and can be practiced by youth un harming themselves. Like any other Martial arts it teaches self discipline, control over one’s self and improved mental ability. A saying is mostly recited among the Judo players which goes like this; “the best training for Judo is Judo”, which seems to be utterly genuine and true.

4 Street Judo Techniques That Can Save Your Butt in a Fight!

If you have done any research into martial arts, you may wonder if judo is useful in street fight situations. I will happily give examples of how street judo has saved lives in fights at the dojo, the bar or any other provoked self defense situation. Following these strategies outlined below will help you decide if judo has any practical application for life on the streets.

Street Judo Techniques #1 - The first benefit of Street Judo is already knowing that many fights will go to the ground. Knowing judo puts you at an advantage in this situation. In a street fight, speed is key and being able to throw someone to the ground so that they land on their head, then getting in there to choke them out within 5 seconds will save your butt. Judo is not as flashy as taekwondo or karate with their high kicks and sharp punches but when it comes to clinch fighting and putting someone on the ground to get them to submit, judo and jiujutsu are the only comparable martial arts.

Street Judo Techniques #2 Many of the push and pull techniques of judo are very useful in a modern street based confrontation. The ability to throw someone off balance by tossing them with your hip so that they land head first on the pavement will show you as the superior fighter and allow you to win the fight. I have practiced judo extensively and used it in my job as a bouncer over the past few years and can verify that when someone is pushing you or grabbing you, having these street judo skills will give you the upper hand and allow you to control and end the situation.

Street Judo Techniques #3 - Training at your local dojo in the art of judo is an excellent idea because it builds your muscles as well as your muscle memory to be able to fight someone off, starting with the skills taught in the first level of white belt. It is a wonderful martial art to know and I personally recommend that you cross train in other martial arts like karate or taekwondo to increase your skill set and broaden your knowledge to become a more agile and well rounded self defense fighter.

Street Judo Techniques #4 - The other important skill that this martial art teaches is the Art of Falling Properly. I have had many serious accidents in which I fell, including off of mountain bikes and being hit by cars. I avoided serious injury because I had the skill to tuck and roll or land properly, an ability taught in street judo. I give you these tips to follow to get the most benefit from your martial arts training!


     By Steve Gib

Yellow & Brown Judo Techniques

Overview

Judo is a sport fighting martial art that originated in Japan during the early 20 century. As a competitive sport with codified rules, its requirements for advancement have remained more standardized than that for many martial art styles. Although there will be variations between different schools of martial arts, yellow belt techniques are suitable for novices, while brown belt techniques require expertise to perform.

Yellow Belt Falling Defenses

The first thing new judokas learn is how to fall safely. This is because judo involves many trips and falls, which could injure somebody without the proper training. The Ushiro ukemi is a backward fall where the practitioner lands on his bottom, then rolls out excess momentum by rolling onto his back and slapping the ground. The yoko ukemi, or side fall, is much she same, except the practitioner falls to his side. A zempo kaiten - also called an ukemi roll -- is a forward shoulder roll used in response to falling face-forward.

Yellow Belt Throw

One of the most basic and iconic early Judo techniques is the o soto gari, or major outer reaping throw. This technique begins with the judoka gripping his opponent by the collar and the shoulder. From this position, he swings one leg out behind his target. then simultaneously chops the legs out from under him as he pushes the upper body with his arms and chest. Advanced practitioners time this throw to mesh perfectly with the opponent's balance, executing the throw with no real exertion.

Brown Belt Submission Choke

Advanced Judo players learn to choke an opponent into unconsciousness or submission in order to win a match. From the front, a judo choke incorporates the opponent's uniform jacket. The player mounts on top of his opponent, then grips both lapels of the jacket. He then pulls both across the throat, until his arms are crossed. The edges of the collar cut off blood flow in the veins on either side of the opponent's throat. From behind, the judoka captures his opponent's legs by hooking his heels around the thighs. Once situated, he wraps one arm around so that the throat rests in the crook of his elbow. He leverages the arm of that hand against the bicep of his other, squeezing the throat. In both cases, a judo choke is a blood choke -- it relies on restricting blood flow to the brain rather than air flow through the throat.

Brown Belt Kick Defense

Although kicking and punching are not allowed in judo competition, sometimes a judoka faces a street enemy not bound by those rules. An advanced judo player stops a kick with a technique called "crowding." By taking advantage of his previous training, he watches the hips and legs of his attacker. When the opponent begins a kick, the judo player rushes forward into the kicker's space. The kick won't land with power -- if it starts at all -- and the rush on an unprepared attacker standing on one leg is very likely to knock him to the ground.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/412032-yellow-brown-judo-techniques/#ixzz1JiUvp6Kl

About Author

Beverlee Brick began writing professionally in 2009, contributing to various websites. Prior to this, she wrote curriculum and business papers in four different languages. As a martial arts and group fitness instructor, she has taught exercise classes in North America, Europe and Asia. She holds master's degrees in French literature and education.

Judo Self Defense Techniques

Judo, which originated in Japan, means the "gentle way." However, this martial art teaches some aggressive self-defense techniques that can efficiently subdue attackers. Judo practitioners are particularly skilled at taking opponents to the ground and fighting on the ground. A few examples of judo techniques that can be used for self defense are ashi guruma, juji gatame and sankaku jime.

Ashi Guruma

Ashi guruma is also known as the leg wheel in judo. It is one of many types of throws used in this martial art. This maneuver can be used as a self-defense technique if an attacker grabs you by the lapel. If he grabs you by the shirt with his right hand, grab under his arm with your left hand. Grab his lapel with your right hand. To begin the throw, step across the front of the attacker with your right leg. Swing your left leg counterclockwise behind you to turn your body 180 degrees. Throw the assailant over your right leg as you turn your body.

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Juji Gatame

Juji gatame is an effective judo arm lock. This technique can be performed if an attacker takes you to the ground. There are several positions from which you can apply this technique for self defense on the ground. For example, you can execute this arm lock if an attacker tries to choke you. If you are lying on your back, an assailant may get on his knees beside you and wrap his hands around your neck. If the attacker is on your right side, place your right knee on his chest. Use both of your hands to trap his left wrist to your chest. Bring your left leg over his head and take him down with that leg. As the attacker falls on his back, continue to hold his wrist tightly to your chest. Squeeze your knees together and lift your hips to break his arm at the elbow joint.

Sankaku Jime

If an attacker knocks you to the ground, a possible defense is the sankaku jime. This technique, also known as a triangle choke, constricts the blood supply to an attacker's brain. To execute this move, immediately wrap your legs around the assailant's back when he tries to get on top of you. Gain control of his left arm and bring it across your waist. Bring your left leg across the back of his neck. Place your right leg over your left ankle and squeeze your legs around his neck. Use your hands to pull his head down as you squeeze with your legs.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/148511-judo-self-defense-techniques/#ixzz1JiUJhXl3

About Author

Mike McLaughlin has been writing news, entertainment, and sports articles since 1990. McLaughlin has written for “The Maine Campus,” “The Bangor Daily News,” and Associated Content. McLaughlin is also a martial arts instructor and certified personal trainer. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an associate's degree in filmmaking.

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Judo and Its Rules

Judo, the Japanese martial art is also called the “combat sport,” and like every other sport, Judo also has certain rules which needed to be followed while playing, practicing or during competition. The rules were made so that nobody gets hurt during competition and that everybody follows a set procedure.
Before the game begins, certain procedures are followed. They are as mentioned below:

1. The Judokas have to bow before they enter the play area or the mat.

2. Both the participants are supposed to bow to each other before starting the game.

3. Misbehavior like using gestures, bad language, and others are strictly prohibited.

Some of the safety rules are:

Striking, punching or kicking is not allowed.
The Judokas are not supposed to intentionally hurt each other.
They are not supposed to attack any other joints except the elbow.
The participant should not touch each other’s face.
Any metals should not be used during the game. A participant is not even allowed to wear any metals like rings and others.
Hitting with the head is also strictly prohibited.
It is also very important to follow certain procedures during the competition.
The most important of is that the participants are supposed to bow to each other before the play begins and also respecting the Judges is mandatory.

Some other rules are:

1. The judokas should not adopt defensive methods or they should not try to stop or escape from the attack.

2. Personal hygiene of the participant is also equally important and the participants need to have clean and short nails. If the Judokas have long hair then that is supposed to be tied up.

3. Since the opponent is not supposed to hurt his/her competitor so to ground the competitor, the participant needs to throw the other person down and execute a “choke” which should not be harmful. The person being choked has to announce his submission by tapping twice either with his hand or toe.

The rules are developed to avoid hurting among the participants. The rules are mostly traditional which have been followed for a long time, but there are certain rules which are invented during modern times. Penalties are also given for participants who break the rules or who are not participating in the game sincerely. These are decided upon by the judges. A penalty does not mean that the participant is out of the game, but the first penalty is regarded as a warning and there are two more warning given. The fourth warning is the final warning and the match is stopped when it is announced. Penalties are also given when one of the opponents is pushed outside the mat on which the competition is held.

The rules of the game keep changing as per needs and requirements. It also changes when time changes and various new techniques are invented into the game and mainly for safety precautions. It also changes per the country, club or on the level of competition being held.


Article source: http://sportsarticlesonly.com/summerolympicsports/judo/judo-and-its-rules/

Judo Martial Arts Training - How to Do Armlocks

In modern judo the only locking techniques permitted are armlocks and the only joint considered to be a legitimate target is the elbow joint. In the USA strangles are sometimes described as choke-locks or choke-holds, but there is no torsion or breaking action applied to the cervical vertebrae - such actions are potentially highly injurious and are not permitted as a broken neck could result. From the perspective of combat the curious aspect is that the elbow is probably the least easily damaged joint of the body and a relatively difficult target. Wrists and shoulders are not safe joints to attack in a full-blooded way precisely because they are too easily damaged. Even with safety-inspired rules in place to protect the competitor, shoulder injuries occasionally result from incorrectly applied or over-zealous attempts at techniques like waki-gatame or ude-garami without any ensuing elbow damage.

Leg locks such as ashi-garami, where the knee joint was the target of the technique, were originally a part of judo training but were removed for safety reasons. The beginner should understand that the term leg lock means a lock applied against the ankle or knee joint, not an armlock applied using the power of one or both legs, which is permitted in techniques like hara-gatame and ashi-gatame. The Kodokan also banned a technique called doji-jime, a kind of leg-scissors applied to the waist which crushed the kidneys and liver.
The important thing to remember about armlocks is that there is no need to suffer injury. If there is no escape from a well-applied technique submit before any damage results. There are many instances in judo of fighters refusing to submit and getting injured, which while in one way admirable, as indicative of the fighting spirit or perhaps just pure stubbornness of top judo players, ultimately has to be considered foolhardy. There is no need for young athletes to suffer avoidable injuries which can return to plague them in later life. Not tapping when an armlock is applied simply shows that a player has been badly trained in modern terms.

One of the stories often used by coaches, not always judiciously, to instil fighting spirit in their pupils is of the great Japanese champion Isao Okano, who refused to submit when the relatively unknown Soviet fighter Michuchenko arm-locked him with juji-ga-tame. The emergence of the Soviets as a force in judo at the beginning of the 1960s was spectacular, arriving as they did with a range of extremely powerful techniques derived from sombo wrestling which had not been seen in judo. One of them was the rolling juji-gatame. Okano, the reigning All Japan Champion at the time, unexpectedly found himself caught in an irretrievable situation but with typical kamikaze fighting spirit refused to tap to indicate submission, resisting the pain until, inevitably, his elbow was dislocated. Unfortunately such acts of defiance, however brave, do not change the result. Michuchenko still won the contest and Okano simply had an injured elbow for his pains.

The elbow is a hinge joint and can be hyper-extended, compressed or twisted to force a submission. Although armlocks can be applied in standing judo it is very difficult to get a submission and uke will usually escape on to the ground, offering good ne-waza opportunities. It is a prohibited act to apply a standing armlock and simultaneously try to throw your opponent since elbow injury is almost inevitable in such cases, for example waki-gatame combined with an uchimata leg action. There is, however, a grey area which seems to be open to the referee's interpretation. The technique is valid if an armlock is skilfully applied while standing and uke attempts to escape onto the ground but tori is able to control him and follow into groundwork and then obtain the submission.

The most commonly occurring armlock in competition is juji-gatame, which is usually attempted when a forward throw fails and the player attempting the throw goes to his knees, offering his back to his opponent. Once a skilled exponent of juji-gatame gets into this position it becomes very difficult to defend. If uke is quick enough and strong enough he can get to his feet, and into a position from which he can lift tori from the ground, which results in a call of matte. If tori controls him properly with the legs he will not, however, be able to do his.

    By Tony Hackerott

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2364093

Secrets of Judo Exposed

The true proponent of judo must know a variety of strangles he can use on his opponent. This is one of the best-kept secrets of judo. In this article we will discuss kata-ha-jime (single wing strangle), hadaka-jime (bare-hand strangle) and ryote-jime (two-hand strangle). All these strangles can be very useful againsy your opponent.

1. Kata-ha-jime (single wing strangle)

Kata-ha-jime is a technique used in strangling an opponent from behind. With your left hand, grasp your opponent's right collar deeply, using a regular palm-down hold and pressing your forearm against and under his chin. Slide your right forearm under his right arm and carry his arm up and over the nape of his neck while drawing your left hand from the right to the left side to strangle him into submission.

Key points:
a. Keep your posture erect so that you can draw power from your waist and abdominal region.

b. Synchronize the movement of your right arm, which pushes his right arm up and backward, with that of your left hand, which moves horizontally from the right to the left.

c. Pull your opponent's body back in order to slant his upper body backward a little to the left. This will cause him to lose the resisting power of his waist and abdominal region.

2. Hadaka-jime (bare-hand strangle)
One of the secrets of judo is that in the techniques of strangulation you press both your opponent's windpipe and the carotid arteries on either side of his neck. In hadaka-jime you place your left forearm against the right side of his neck and your left arm across the front of his neck. Your left palm is placed downward on the inner elbow fold of your right arm.

Now bend your right arm backward and place your right palm against the back of your opponent's head. Your left arm rests on top of his left shoulder. In the technique of hadaka-jime you apply pressure with the left radius part of your wrist against the front of his neck. Then you push his head forward with the palm of your right hand while you draw your left forearm backward to complete the strangle.

Key points:
a. Keep your posture erect.

b. Break your opponent's posture backwards to overcome his defensive power.

c. Your left forearm is drawn back-not pulled around-with the same pressure as that exerted by your right hand in pressing forward.

3.Ryote-jime (two-hand strangle)
You grasp your opponent by both sides of his collar in the front with your hands in the regular hold (hands clenched, thumbs up).The little finger of your left hand is placed on his right carotid, and that of your right hand presses his left carotid.
Now, with both your hands, press both sides of his neck at the same time, twisting your wrists inwards until the palms of both hands are turned upwards. The force applied to his neck is produced with the pressure of the front of your clenched fist or the lower part of your fingers. You can also strangle him from underneath.

Key points:
a. Prevent your opponent's use of the defensive power of his abdominal region by pulling him down and forward, thereby breaking his posture. Complete the movement by pressing the weight of your hip region against the side of his neck. When you apply ryote-jime from underneath, you must break his waist posture by kicking his right thigh away with your foot.

b. Turn both your wrists simultaneously until pressure is created against both sides of his neck when the front of the fists of both your hands (palm up) twist into both sides of his neck to complete the strangle.
Remember to practise all these moves and you will truly understand the secrets of judo.

     By Desmond McKay

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2700155

Judo Cutting Weight - The Over 100kg Weight Division

I recently went to a National Junior Championship (17, 18 and 19 years) and specifically watched the over 100kg weight division. I thought that judo cutting weight should not at all be an issue for these big fellows. The important is to be over 100kg to be better off. In many cases if they would participate at an "all you can eat contest" they would all win.

However when I saw the range between the lightest, that weighed 104kg and the heaviest weighing 148kg, I started to have some doubts. The weight difference amounted to 44kg! It is almost the same difference between the lightest weight division 55kg existing in this age group and the heaviest 100kg.
Normally in all judo competitions, unless it is an open, when there is the need it can be, that two closest weight divisions are put together. However it is always an issue concerning safety especially when minors are involved. Therefore the 55kg weight division could be merged with the 60kg, or 60kg with 66kg and so on, but the officials would never dream to unify the 55kg with the 100kg. But when it comes to the over division this seems to happen "naturally".

Of course one can argue, that in judo it is not a matter of weight, but skills, that there are open competitions with no weight distinctions and so on. And to tell you the truth the lightest athlete, that weighed 104kg at this National Championship, won the bronze medal. He was not only very skilled technically, but also had an outstanding physical preparation.

Nevertheless the question among the lightest judo players of the over 100kg division about cutting weight was raised: when weighing 104, 106 or 107kg would it not be wiser to do something in order to enter the 100kg division? Considering the age and the fact, that they are still growing teenagers is it really wise to cut weight? Typical for the young people is to find drastic measures in order to solve the issue: they starve themselves to death in order to make the 100kg division and then they loose right away because they have no energy left to face the opponent.

There certainly is a more constructive approach to this matter by simply following a balanced nutrition plan, learning how to deal with food in a correct way in order to always be at peak performance in order to avoid adding in judo practice the cutting weight issue.

 

 

     By Aida Guemati

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3950856

Mashiko Kimura, Judo Techniques and MMA

Masahiko Kimura (1917-1993) from Kumamoto was an outstanding judo player. He started very early and at the age of 16, thanks to his outstanding judo techniques, was promoted 4th dan.

He was so outstanding, that most of the times he won all his fights one after the other. He was very strong and only few opponents such as Niyajima from the Meiji University, Kenishiro Osawa, Kenshiro Abe and Hideo Yamamoto, won when they faced him. His best judo technique was osotogari. He practiced it so many times until it became a lethal weapon and especially after his losses, which almost made him quit judo.

He had a great come back in October 1935 wining his first Title at the University Championships and did so also in 1937 (being held every second year). He was the first student to be allowed to enter the Professional Japanese Judo Championships and so at the end of 1937 he won the All Japanese National Judo Championships and did so for the following thirteen years until he retired
In the 1940 edition he won against the 5th dan Yasuichi Matsumoto, who became later the legendary Judo Professor at Tenri University from 1960 to 1980. Matsumoto was not only known because of his outstanding height, but also for the great contribution he gave to Tenri's judo with his techniques, which up to today have left a signature. I have been his student for two years from 1964 to 1966.

In 1947 Kimura was promoted to 7th dan and in 1949, after having won against all famous champions of those days he faced his last Championship. For the fourth time he met Takahiko Ishikawa in the final, which lasted twenty minutes and ended up with no score. Mifune, the most famous 10th dan of judo's history, declared the match even.

In July 1951 Kimura was invited to Brazil in order to compete in a "mixed martial arts" match: jujutsu and judo. He accepted and left Japan with Yamaguchi (6th dan) and Kado (5th dan), who had accepted the challenge of Helio Gracie (the Brazilian Champion for twenty years).
According to the rules, the fight could end for following reasons: surrender, if the trainer threw the towel, by decision of the commission. Throws and ground techniques would not be considered. Kado was defeated by the Brazilian, who almost became a National hero and challenged Yamaguchi the following week. The latter did not accept, but Kimura did instead.

Kimura, being an outstanding champion, tried different judo techniques on his opponent facing twenty thousand spectators including the Brazilian President and Vice- President. He won the match with an arm lock and of course it was a strong affirmation for Kodokan Judo. Nevertheless due to the rules, which banished "mixed martial arts" matches, Kimura lost his membership and was never accepted again.

     By Aida Guemati

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4105139

Martial Arts - Judo versus BJJ

This is one of the hottest topics up for debate in the martial arts community and quite frankly I don't think either side understands the other's point of view. The bulk of the issue stems from the many misconceptions of the two respective arts but more so the lack of understanding of Judo. It is funny that most people understand that BJJ was created when a Judoka taught a Brazilian the martial art of Judo but both sides fail to agree on how similar these martial arts are. If you take into account that Judo is one of the biggest sports in the world and is also recognized as an Olympic sport, you would wonder why it receives so much disdain. The average
 Judo club will charge around 25 dollars per month to join while the going rate for a BJJ school is 100 dollars or more. For this reason alone I think this topic needs some further investigating.

Like everything in our society, we view higher priced services as being of a better quality. Surely no car that costs a fraction of the price of another car can be even remotely comparable. BJJ costs more to take so it must be more effective. Just like the marketing exhibited in the car example martial arts often fall prey to these smoke screens. The fact is people are willing to pay more to take BJJ then they are to take Judo. The real question is why. When the UFC was created by the descendents of the creator of BJJ the world was about to witness one of the greatest infomercials they would ever see. Many people agree that the real reason this fighting organization was created was to bring attention to BJJ. Well it worked! A skinny BJJ fighter by the name of Royce Gracie defeated 4 other fighters from various other martial arts backgrounds, quite easily and showed the dominance of BJJ. Based on the momentum of Royce's success his family began to open BJJ schools throughout America. The question that many people don't ponder is what if a Judoka would have been invited to the inaugural event and did the same thing this BJJ practitioner did? It is not hard to figure out that Judo would have boomed even more so than it already has and could've demanded much more for its services.
Let us take a look at the many differences betwen the 2 martial arts. Although BJJ was spawned out of Judo it has adopted a completely different philosophy. Judo is a sport that focuses more on throws while still covering submission holds and ground fighting. If I were forced to give a percentage of each aspect I would say that its 50% throws, 25% submissions and 25% ground fighting. BJJ in comparison is 95% submissions and ground fighting with only 5% of the time allocated to throws. You may be wondering why there is such a discrepancy between the two martial arts. Simply put they're both sports and their rules are quite different. In a judo match you are awarded points for throws and can even end a match with a perfect throw while you're only allowed 30 seconds on the ground. BJJ on the other hand has an unlimited time on the ground and rewards its competitors for attempting to try various techniques while on the ground. As you can see from the way their respective competitions are formatted, the way each school is focused is a direct reflection of this.

The number one argument I always hear in support of BJJ is that whenever a Judoka and a BJJ practitioner fight, the BJJ fighter reigns supreme. They also claim that a Black belt in BJJ tends to be better with submissions and ground fighting then a black belt Judoka. What they fail to realize is that this is not a fair comparison. Rather then viewing it as a belt versus belt matter, why not look at it as a timing matter. The point I am trying to make is that it takes 3 years to obtain a black belt in Judo while it takes over 10 years to receive a black belt in BJJ. In Judo a black belt represents a student's understanding and beginning of mastery while in BJJ a black belt represents a student's mastery. A fair comparison would be between a Judo 4th dan black belt and a BJJ black belt because the time they have both spent in the respective sports would now be equal.

Although after reading through this article you may still be confused on which martial art is truly better you would have to admit you have a better general understanding of the two martial arts and that you fully understand how similar they are.

    By Michael Russell

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/217171

One Of The Biggest Mistakes Judo Coaches and Judo Players Make

Some mistakes are so basic that they almost seem silly to mention because you wouldn't actually think that the pros and the top notch athletes in the sport of Judo make such mistakes. But I'm here to tell you that they most certainly do and its one that, if you are making currently, you should fix immediately.
I had the good fortune of playing college football and the one thing that I can tell you is this. In college football, the coaches film everything. In professional football they film everything. There is never a practice or a training session that isn't filmed or recorded.

Why?

Well, mistakes are made all the time and they can always be fixed. And there are some things which you do and do not necessarily do that you are supposed to be doing which most certainly need to be identified, monitored and assessed. There is no way to achieve maximum improvement without having data to analyze and monitor. As a practitioner in the sport of Judo, some of the most key data which you provide is in your practices. Your movements, your responses, your gripping, your throwing rate, etc.,. These things have to be monitored.

Most athletes and coaches only perform video analyses of in-competition behaviors and make the huge mistake of not monitoring video of in-practice behaviors. The moves and movement iterations which are exhibited during competition are nothing more than a manifestation of what has occurred during practice.
If I told you how many coaches and athletes ALSO do not watch video of competition, you probably would not believe me. But it does happen. Listen, if you make this error in terms of not watching in-practice video as a Judo coach or Judo athlete, please fix it now. And if you are of the faction or number of players who compete without recording and analyzing your matches, please discontinue this practice immediately.
You can become a significantly better Judo player and Judo coach if you stop making this mistake right now.
Here's what I would recommend.

1. Get a quality tripod and a decent camera. It does not have to be anything fancy.

2. Converse with your coach and let him or her know what you are doing and that you would like to sit down and analyze the film with them at a later date

3. Record the practice

4. Download it to your computer or safe have of choice and date it and log it.
You will be surprised how much better your practices get when they are recorded.

In summation, record and analyze your practices and your competitions. It is important if you want to be the best Judoka or Judo coach possible.

     By Dr. Rhadi Ferguson PhD

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6022420

Why Judo Techniques Should Be Used In MMA

Why Learn Judo Techniques?

Knowing the right Judo Techniques to gain superior positioning and dominance on your opponent can be the difference to winning or losing a MMA fight. Judo is great for mixed martial arts because it focuses on closing distance and shooting in for take downs so your able to slam your opponent on his back helplessly.
If you want to increase the level of your MMA game and your not a closed-minded idiot, consider learning some Judo to have even more weapons to use.

Here are the top 5 reasons you should learn Judo if you fight or partake in MMA.

5)A high percentage of fights end up in a clinch at some point - if you know the right judo techniques you'll be able to powerfully throw your opponent or sweep his legs out from underneath him to gain valuable position on the ground

4)Your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will get better with Judo practice because a lot of the major grappling positions are similar. The guard and half guard are well known judo techniques, so learning this and a combination of BJJ will improve your MMA game drastically. Not to mention there are various chokes to make your opponent gasp for air too. (even more so in the Judo Gi/Kimono)

3)If your having trouble exchanging strikes because you suck at muay thai the shooting/take-down techniques for judo can be of help to close the distance so you don't have to worry about getting pummeled in the face repeatedly. With shooting you can gain dominant position in the clinch and work your striking from there, or use one of the many judo take downs to slam him on his back.

2)Practicing Judo (especially in a judo gi/kimono) will improve your foot work, body positioning and stand up game because of the agility, speed and balance you need in order to perform some of the judo throws and techniques. Your hips will drastically improve too, which in turn will help take your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling to the next level.

1) Wrist locks, foot locks, arm locks and knee locks are all essential techniques of Judo that can help end an MMA fight quickly. Learning all these joint lock techniques can improve your all around submission game and make your opponent think twice before messing with you in the clinch or on the ground.
Judo can be useful and effective for any type of fighter, whether your base is at wrestling, striking or ground fighting - it can help improve all three areas of your game. Although almost all Judo competition is done in a kimono or gi, there are still plenty of techniques to learn.

The growth of judo in mixed martial arts has been apparent, with MMA fighters always looking for new ways to improve their game. Karo Parisyan, Fedor Emelianenko, Dong-Sik Yoon and more have quality Judo backgrounds that have helped them in their MMA career. Although not many MMA fighters have extensive backgrounds in Judo, most do have basic knowledge of the throws, techniques, chokes, holds and locks that are useful in the octagon.

The key is to never stop learning, never be content with what you know now... always be looking for new techniques to improve your overall MMA or mixed martial arts game.

     By Sean R Fagan

10 Reasons Why You Lose Judo Matches

With all of the talk on the blogs, internet, books and magazines about how to win, I thought I'd take a different approach on success in the sport of Judo.
I thought that instead of telling you how to win a judo match, I'd explain how to lose one.

Why?

Well Lord knows that I've lost a great deal of them so you could say that I'm somewhat of an expert when it comes to losing.
So, that's what I'm going to tell you about.
Here's How To Lose A Judo Match

1. You LOSE a judo match by practicing with other losers. Your practice partners are your greatest asset and your greatest crutch.

2. You LOSE a judo match by training with other losers. Sharing the training hall with persons with the wrong attitude and motivations can stifle your improvement.

3. You continue to lose matches when you do not review the video of your matches. Not studying and acquiring data for scouting is a sure-fire way to fail.

4. You continue to lose matches when you leave the judo tournament right after you've lost instead of staying and watching. Leaving a tournament after losing is the dumbest investment you can make. You have already paid for the tournament. No matter if you are fighting or not you have already paid for it. Fight in it or stay and watch, but do stay until the end of your weight division.

5. You LOSE judo matches by thinking that all you need is better judo in order to win. You can't drive a car faster and hope that it gets faster. You have to pop the hood and change the engine for it to be able to go faster. The sames goes for your judo career.

6. You LOSE judo matches by refusing to take an in-depth look at the grip fighting game. Gripping is part of judo. Accept it and learn it.

7. You LOSE judo matches by thinking that judo is about throwing. Judo IS NOT ABOUT THROWING YOUR OPPONENT FOR IPPON. (That is only one of the goals of the sport).

8. You LOSE judo matches by treating the sport like a hobby when practicing against people who treat it like a profession. If you treat your career like a hobby, you will get "hobby-esque" type joy out of the sport

9. You LOSE judo matches because you refuse to accept that you are practicing the SPORT of judo, not the martial art of judo. You are practicing the sport. Learn HOW TO WIN.

10. You LOSE for the same reason why people fail tests; because you refuse to study and do your homework. Study! Study! And study some more!

The great thing about this list is that there are some things on here which have been identified that you can immediately fix and work on today and become a better judo player tomorrow.

So now that you know how to win, you can start finding out how to win.

     By Dr. Rhadi Ferguson PhD

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6050903

Judo Training - Hand Techniques

The te-waza or hand techniques comprise some of the major contest techniques such as seoi-nage, tai-otoshi,and various leg grabs, as well as some of the most difficult of all judo throws such as sumi-otoshi and uki-otoshi. The inclusion of eminently practical techniques alongside others considered by many practicing judoka with years of experience to be extremely difficult is no accident. The hand techniques require whole body co-ordination as well as precision timing. No one is a master of every technique; judo is such a deep subject that you can spend a lifetime practicing and never stop learning.

BODY DROP

Tai-otoshi is one of the main attacking throws in judo and, although difficult to master, is a good technique for beginners to practice as it teaches them to turn the whole body and bend the knees, which requires co-ordination of hands, hips, feet and head movement. The Japanese regard it as a choishi-waza or timing and rhythm technique and it is a throw that can be adapted by the individual to suit his particular strengths. Variations of tai-otoshi can be used against opponents who walk forwards or backwards or move sideways.

The classic tai-otoshi is performed from the basic right-hand grip and is usually taught as a three-step movement. Tori steps forwards on his right foot, pulling uke's sleeve up in the air away from his body. He pivots on the right foot and throws the left leg behind about 6 in (15cm) outside of uke's left leg and a couple of inches in front of it. The right leg is then stabbed across in front of uke, both knees bending to ensure tori gets his weight below uke's centre of gravity. The back of tori's calf blocks uke's right leg just above the ankle at the shin, and there is no body contact between tori and uke. The hands transfer tori's dropping body weight and the momentum developed by the fast turn into a dynamic throwing action which whirls uke over tori's leg. The legs usually straighten as tori throws uke, and it is very important that tori keeps the body-weight moving forwards and down, without collapsing so that he cannot be pulled over backwards if the throw is unsuccessful.

Tai-otoshi combines very effectively with o-uchi-gariand many experts try to make the entry forthetwo techniques indistinguishable until the actual moment of completion. The beauty of this is that they can then feint with one or the other technique to provoke a strong defensive reaction from uke and exploit that reaction to throw him. If tori attacks with tai-otoshi and uke blocks by bracing strongly backwards to resist the throw, the next time tori makes as if to do tai-otoshi but switches to o-uchi-gari, which is a rear throw, at the last moment. In this way uke's defence actually assists tori with the throw.

The reverse of this is equally feasible. Tori attacks with o-uchi-gari, attempting to throw uke to his rear, so uke pushes against tori to try and keep him out. Tori can then switch to tai-otoshi, slipping under uke's arms to throw him in the direction he is pushing. Quite often it will not be apparent to the spectator that tori has signalled the partner technique to the one he actually throws with. Tori must give uke the feeling that he was about to be attacked with the other technique. Against an opponent who steps over a tai-otoshi the ability to do uchimata is useful, as uke can be caught in mid step and thrown very cleanly.

    By Tony Hackerott

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2153560

Dirty Fighting Secrets of Judo

Judo is one my favorite martial arts to apply dirty fighting techniques. I will never forget sparring a guy who was a judo expert and every time I tried to get close to this guy, he would roll away from me. I have a very healthy respect for those who practice and know the secrets of judo.

One of the most dangerous moves I've seen in judo is a head or face lock. This particular judo technique is one that is not taught to many students. If you are to practice a head or face lock on a friend of yours, you could kill them, so please practice this move on a dummy. It is just too dangerous to practice on someone who is not a trained expert in judo!

The Most Dangerous Face Lock You Will Ever Use
When your attacker throws a punch, you parry the punch and and then cup the attackers head, while applying the face lock (you have your forearm up under his jaw). You will then put your hip into and start raising up. If you have done this technique properly your opponent will be bent over and your right forearm will be lifted up against his throat. This is one nasty lock to be in and it's very hard to get out of, without snapping your neck!
Please make sure that you have a professional instructor of judo with you, if you ever apply this on another judo expert for practice. This move is just to deadly to practice on a close friend or anyone for that matter. This technique is so powerful, that when you apply the upward pressure a little lock against your opponents throat, he will not be able to easily move his arms. In other words, he's not going to be able to punch you in the groin or reach up and over with a hook punch.

I Would Suggest Taking Some Judo Lessons Right Away

I think that it's deadly worth your time to take some judo lessons that get into the fundamentals of Throwing (nage waza), striking (atemi waza) and grappling (katame waza). This is really an interesting martial arts and a beautiful art form. I personally love the hip throws, which I've used successfully and the leg throws. You can use your legs to block or hold your opponent's legs and you can do is sweep or are reap.

Some of the most deadly strangulation and choking holds, I've ever seen are done judo. I also like the joint locks, such as the straight armlock and abet armlock, because both are very effective and simple to use. Judo is one of those martial arts that you need to have in your bag of tricks. Judo teaches you how to become a master of throwing and ground positioning. It is very hard to get your hands on a person who is doing a judo roll and I've tried, so instead of trying to catch a person rolling, I got smart and learn how to roll myself.
Judo is a wonderful martial art that is based on sound principles, that will help its students develop character. This is truly a martial art of self discovery and I am sure, that once you get a taste of judo, you will be going back for more.

     By Mark H Smith

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4575781

The Mechanics of the Judo Throw

There are a number of different actions involved when a judo throw is performed. Some throws involve lifting an opponent clear of the ground from a two-footed base and throwing him backwards (uranage), others lift and throw him forwards (kata-guruma). In some throws tori has to turn his back on uke and, contacting with his side chest against uke's chest and balancing on one leg, sweep away uke's legs (uchimata, harai-goshi) and throw him forwards. In others he has to hook his leg behind uke's and lift, push and pull simultaneously to throw him to his rear (osoto-gari, ko-soto-gan). In some forward throws tori places or drops his body in front of uke and uses it as a blocking fulcrum over which to whirl his opponent (seoi-nage, tomoe-nage). In still others tori does not lift uke, but rather rolls him over (drop seoi-nage, soto-makikomi, tai-otoshf), or trips or sweeps him (de-ashi-barai). There are many quite different skills to acquire and the key is regular practice.

A common factor in most throws is that tori breaks uke's balance through the use of body movement (tai-sabaki) and gets under his centre of gravity in order to throw him. In every case he has to break uke's balance in order to get his feet off the ground.

Components of the judo throw:
o The use of the hands, gripping, pushing and pulling.
o The height, curvature and turn of the hips.
o The footwork involved, knee bend, leg extension, flexion and pointing the toes.
o The use of positioning of the head.
o Timing, commitment and abandonment.

TIMING

One of the most difficult things to teach in judo is timing. Anyone can learn technique eventually, but good timing has an almost unconscious quality about it; it has to be felt, and even those who can feel it do not always understand it. Timing comes from sensitivity to an opponent's actions, from feeling what will work and when it will work. If technique is how to do a throw, timing is when to do it.

One problem is that, in general, coaches start their beginners off by teaching skills with static uchikomi and occasional completions, but fail to make the progression to more realistic movement-based situations. At club level even when nage-komi is practiced it tends to be in fairly static situations. Static situations do, of course, occur even in top level contests, but generally speaking good judo comes out of good movements. A moving body is easier to throw than a stationary one, so movement skills need to be learned as an integral part of the throwing process. Players have to learn to grip then move in such away that an opponent, however strong or determined, cannot remain still, but must move to stay balanced. Once they have their opponent moving they must know what techniques are feasible and when to attack. The right moment varies from situation to situation and depends on which techniques have been practiced, but all players should be able to make attacks when the opponent is coming forwards, moving backwards or moving to left or right. It may be that they use the same technique in each case if they are specialists in one particular throw, or it may be that they have a different throw for each direction. Ideally they will have a major technique and an alternative for each situation.

    By Tony Hackerott

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Hackerott

Falling Techniques of Judo

The principle of "mutual welfare and benefit" requires that we learn to fall as well as throw. In addition to the safety and confidence this practice imparts, it is an essential part of understanding the more advanced techniques of Judo. Unless one understands the correct positioning of uke (the one receiving the throw) it is difficult to fully master the action of tori (the thrower).

The traditional order of training is to move from the simple to the more difficult. At first practice falling from a low position and gradually move higher. First fall in place, then add movement. In the beginning move slowly and carefully, then increase speed. First fall by yourself, then have a partner throw you and repeat these steps (start with a low throw, no movement, and slowly). For more information see The Study of Falling or Understanding Ukemi.

Ukemi is about receiving the fall gracefully. In judo, and life, this is important so that you can rise up to continue the struggle. We learn that you can benefit from the lesson of the fall rather than suffer from it. Falling in judo teaches us to get to acceptance quickly. We must not deny that we were thrown, dwell on it, feel angry or depressed about it, or try to justify it. We must accept it as a lesson and move on before we are pinned where we lie.

Sure we try to avoid the setback, and we understand the potential danger of a fall, but we learn to accept it in a way that does not paralyze us. In fact it frees us to take risks and show more courage and commitment in our actions. It allows us to remain in control of our future and not give in to unfortunate circumstances.
In addition, it keeps us humble and grounded. A Turkish proverb says, "He who sleeps on the floor cannot fall out of bed."

On the Importance of Ukemi

Nowadays one does not see the same clear-cut technique as one used to do. All adopt a very stiff and defensive style and they appear to be entirely preoccupied with the idea of winning their contest, without any sign of aspiring to higher accomplishment.
One who aims high for the future must not be concerned with present loss or gain. The most important object in Judo training is to develop speed and free movement of the body. If one enters a contest with the sole idea of not being defeated, automatically the body becomes stiff and defensive - an unsuitable state for effective sharp action. Whereas, if one regards all as a matter of captivating speed and free movement of the body, without being seriously concerned about being thrown, sooner or later one will develop the desired qualities, and be able to apply them for attack or defense, as opportunity offers.

To become truly undefeatable in Judo one should not rely on one's strength; for when one meets a stronger opponent one will surely be beaten.
There are various defensive methods, but the principle is to evade the opponent's strength or by changing one's position to reduce the effect of the strength applied. Another method is by pushing or pulling, to weaken the force the opponent intends to apply. To be able to effect any of these defensive actions, one must acquire a free and quick movement of the body.

As I have often said if one hates to be thrown, one cannot expect to become a master of the art. By taking throws time after time, one must learn how to take falls and overcome the fear of being thrown. Then one will become unafraid of being attacked and be able to take the initiative in attack. Only by following this manner of training can one learn true Judo waza. Contest and practice, which are both means of training, should be conducted in the way to develop speed and free movement of the body.

     By Jigoro Kano

Judo Practice and Theory

Shime-waza (strangles) are an important part of judo. The strangles explained in this article are: nami-juji-jime (normal cross strangle), kata-juji-jime (half cross strangle), kata-juji-jime (half cross strangle): a modification and okuri-eri-jime (sliding collar strangle). These strangles are a most important part of judo practice.

1.Nami-juji-jime (normal cross strangle)

As your opponent lies on his back, you straddle his abdomen in front and place both your knees on the mat. Grasp his left collar with your left hand and his right collar with your right hand in the regular hold as deeply as possible. Strike your upper body towards his face, simultaneously pulling both your elbows outwards to create the proper pressure for the strangle.

KEY POINTS:

a.The movement of your arms must be a smooth movement parallel with the pressing forward of your chest against your opponent.

b.Your hands must be placed deep inside your opponent's collar.

c.When you apply nami-juji-jime from underneath, you must prevent your opponent from using the defensive power of his waist and abdominal region by breaking the posture of that region.

2.Kata-juji-jime (half cross strangle)

If it is difficult for you to grasp both of your opponent's lapels, then you may apply kata-juji-jime on him. Straddle him with one or both of your knees on the mat. Then grasp his left lapel as far back as possible with your right hand in the regular palm-down hold and with your left hand in the palm-up hold. Carry your right arm up and around his head toward your left and press the right side of his neck.
Push down both your elbows while pulling them to the outside. Your right hand presses against his neck with its little-finger edge while your left hand presses with its thumb edge to execute the strangle. Kata-juji-jime can be applied from underneath too, as in nami-juji-jime.

KEY POINT: If you fall sideways while strangling your opponent, you must fall to the right side because your right hand is above the left; otherwise, your hold for the strangle will be broken.
You must remember this in all your judo practice.

3.Kata-juji-jime (half cross strangle): a modification

Let us study a modification of kata-juji-jime in which we attack the opponent from the side. He is lying on his side on the mat, and you are standing by him on his left side. Lower your waist and place your left knee on the mat. You then grasp his left lapel as far around to the back as possible with your left hand, palm upward. With your right hand
you grasp his right collar in the regular (palm down) hold. You then push him down with your right elbow while pulling your left hand to the left.

KEY POINT: In this technique your left hand cannot make use of the momentum that is produced when you press your body toward your opponent's face, since you sit at his left side. Therefore, in order to induce the whole of the momentum of your body into your right elbow, you should press your body toward your right elbow rather than toward your opponent's face.

4.Okuri-eri-jime (sliding collar strangle)

In both nami-juji-jime and kata-juji-jime you attack your opponent from the front. There are, however, some techniques in which you attack him from behind. Whenever he turns his back to you, you have a good opportunity to attack him. Okuri-eri-jime is one of the techniques of attack from the rear.
From behind, you grasp your opponent's left collar deeply with your right hand in the regular palm-down hold, placing your wrist under his chin. Grasp his right lapel with your left hand, which is inserted under and through his left armpit. Pull your right hand to the right and your left hand downwards to execute the strangle properly.

KEY POINTS:

a.You must first deprive your opponent of the force of his waist and abdominal region, in order to immobilize the harmonious movement of all parts of his body.

b.With your right hand, grasp the farthest possible part of his left collar, and with your left hand, grasp his right front lapel. Pull his right lapel downward and his left collar toward the right side of his neck.
Study these strangles well and ensure they are always part of your judo practice.

    By Desmond McKay

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2644962

THE ART OF JUDO

It is referred to as the “gentle way,” but to watch the world renowned ‘sport’ of Judo in action would make anyone insist that ‘gentleness’ is a very distance relative. Developed by Jigoro Kano, who in 1882 opened the Kodokan in Japan to teach and further the art of Judo, this relatively ‘new,’ in martial arts years, form of fighting has survived many a fad and thrives today. Most of the common man’s exposure to Judo has been in the cinema and the Olympic games, which first became a formal competition event in the 1964 games in Tokyo. But for what most see, there is much more that lies beneath. Training in Judo creates building blocks to success, and teaches fundamentals to live by and ultimately a way of life to embrace. It not only mirrors life, but also prepares us for it.

Contrary to popular belief, Judo is not just a sport, but a complete martial art form, a defensive and offensive system, which links the mental, spiritual and physical aspects and adheres them to the artist. A distinct connection between these three aspects is what makes Judo more than just the ‘sport’ we often see, but a genuine combative martial art coupled with a spiritual journey.

Segmented and classified into three primary groups of techniques: Nage Waza (Throwing), Katame Waza (Grappling) and Atemi Waza (Striking), which is only used in self defense applications, Judo addresses training in a well structured manner. Body control (Taisabaki) and foot movement (Shintai) are also essentials built into the system along with setting up your opponent (Tsukuri) with efficient application of technique (Kake). 

This purest combination of means is what Judo strives to be. Through vigorous training and astute discipline, one can not only achieve great fighting skills, but also in turn gain an enormous amount of self-awareness, confidence and respect for oneself. It is an everyday art form that lives and breaths in everyone who is touched by it.

Judo in its purest form transcends the ‘sport’ aspect that has at times over shadowed the martial art itself.

Although the competition facet has grown to be the main cog for today’s practitioner (Judo ka), they must never lose sight of the art, its origin or ideals. In the competition ring, the Judo ka is strapped with rules that in real life situations are considered limitations. 

The tournament is a competitive platform that teaches the student strategy, efficiency, strengths and weaknesses and what total commitment really means. Simply put, it’s a chess match. Though at times, the competition ring can be a reflection of what adversity may lie before us in our everyday life and teaches us how to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable and how to tame our very own ego that can sometimes hinder us. Though advantageous at times, competition can be a pitfall if one is not careful.

The pitfall being a false sense of martial truth, which can make a practitioner unbalanced and mislead him down a deceptive path of security. Win, lose or draw, competition is not real combat. It’s intense, tough, and scary at times, but it is clearly not the street nor is it a life or death situation. It is a place to learn, test skills and develop insight to self.

Competition should be used as a training ground, a tool. It is here where character should be developed. As one embarks on the journey of tournament competition, he or she will face not only an opponent on the opposite side of the ring, but also opposition, conflict and at times uncertainty from within. This is where inner strength and fortitude hatches, where training in the spirit of those who have walked this conduit of knowledge before us inspires, and where art becomes practical and applicable. It is a training ground where winning and losing makes us better people. It should not disillusion, it should enhance. The ring symbolizes what we allow or needed it to be. We are not to live for the tournament, but rather prosper through it. Judo with all its high impact throwing techniques and submissions is based on concepts far beyond the average individuals comprehension. 

It is here where Jigoro Kano separated himself from the norm and taught us to yield to strength, blend with ones opponent, to redirect and feel energy and subdue with maximum efficiency. Note that the intent or motivation of an attack, throw or a submission technique is not to cause damage to the opponent, but to control.

This principal of control comes from many a spiritual man who has realized that in order to defeat what lies before you, you must first open yourself to oneself and examine your own inner mechanism with consistent honesty and reverence. Judo can show us that perspective is an important element that should be included in ones training. Many believe that by just drilling, one can learn how to throw, but nothing can be further from the truth. One can also better his skills through visualizing, seeking out dynamic principals and the science of Judo or by repeatedly being on the receiving end of a throw, submission hold or choke.

The art of Judo teaches us about ‘intent’ and ‘balance’ which are aspects often overlooked. These concepts are a direct reflection of who we are as people and Judo ka, and why we train. It should never be our ‘intent’ to harm an opponent, be it in the street or in competition, but to off balance, subdue, control and ultimately retain our safety. 

One of the advantages of Judo is the “hands on” sensitivity and energy transfer. Translated or basically defined, ‘grip fighting’ (kumikata). Judo allows us to place our hands on an opponent thus getting the sensation of ‘intent’ if we permit ourselves to feel it. Keeping the mind free and the spirit positive allows us a positive energy transfer and opens us up to ‘actual intent.’ Sensing an adversary’s ‘intent’ is essential to any martial artist and will help him develop that ‘third eye,’ so to speak. This sense can be nurtured through self-evaluation in the spirit of honesty. One must review the path he has chosen and in the true light of Judo and the code of Bushido decode the reason for his practice.

The term ‘balance’ is often used in Judo. In randori (free practice) or sparring to the naked eye, the practitioner’s objective is to off balance his or her opponent and throw him cleanly off his feet. The term ‘break or off balance’ (kuzushi) is not only a physical reference, but also a state of mind. While gripping an opponent, the Judo ka must not only assess intent, and the physical aspects of combat, but also the mental factors. In a contest as in life, mental off balancing can cause an opponent to react negatively, pause, or question his position and intent thereby neutralizing defenses or delaying his attack. The result is often an opponent being tossed through the air or submitted.

Sacrifice and commitment are two key elements that educate and help any practitioner achieve the goals they may have thought were unattainable. Judo requires the sacrifice of ones body to the art, and to their partner that they practice with on a daily basis. Through drilling with a partner, one learns to sacrifice his body by being thrown so that the thrower (tori) can try to perfect his skills. This allows the one being thrown (uke) to work on his break falling, breathing, relaxation and concentration techniques while trying to prevent the fear of being thrown to seep into his consciousness. Commitment to the art, and the betterment of the physical and mental self as well as the actual techniques, teaches one that ‘half way’ is never the ‘true way.’ Being committed to your art through regular practice is what makes one grow beyond his dreams and is what makes dreams into reality. 

Though the ‘sport’ of Judo is alive and well in the hearts of many worldwide, it is only a mere portion of the art itself. The totality of Judo in all its glory, not only trains an individual for tournaments and actual combat situations, but also for the trials life has in store. The road is long and well traveled with a myriad of rewards that can only be obtained through diligent practice and respect for oneself, the art and the world that he or she inhabits. The ‘true’ art of judo is a carefully structured and ever evolving form that is a lethal mixture of principals, theory, concepts, practice and for anyone who has ever graced the mat, it is where magic happens.

    By Jeffrey R. Iorio

THE FOUNDATION OF KODOKAN JUDO AND ITS DEVELOPMENT

What is widely prevailed all over the world now under the general name of judo means the Kodokan Judo which Prof Jigoro Kano founded in the 15th year of the Meiji era (1882) as a means of realizing his new ideal by systematizing the theory and techniques of the traditional jujutsu of various schools.
Training of Jujutsu and Serious Study

Prof. Kano who was small and weak by nature began to practice jujutsu at the age of I8 for the purpose of making himself not to be underrated by others. He learned "Atemi?waza" (striking techniques) and °Katame?waza" (grappling techniques) of Tenjin?shin'yo Ryu style jujutsu and "Nage?waza" (throwing techniques) of Kito Ryu style jujutsu. Based upon these he mastered his knowledge deeper and wider borrowing strong and reasonable points form other schools. Besides he invented new techniques of his own. He came to feel sure that jujutsu is useful not only for the training of competitive sports. but also for the cultivation of sound character. Thus, Prof. Kano, adding new devices to his knowledge of traditional jujutsu which was a precious cultural asset of Japan founded the Kodokan Judo, with physical education, competition and moral training as its objective.
Foundation of Kodokan Judo

Prof. Kano established the Kodokau in 1882. At the time the dojo was only 12 tatami mats wide and the number of followers was as small as 9. The jujutsu was replaced by judo for the reason that while °Jujutsu" means techniques, "Do" means road which has two meanings of a road we walk on and a path of life or moral doctrine. As the means of teaching he adopted Randori, Kata. lecture and catechetical method. Adding physical education to intellectual training and moral culture, he considered these 3 the main aspects of education. Harmony of these 3 will make the ideal of he education through judo.
Principle of "Ju" (gentleness)
Around the 20th year of the Meiji era (1887), judo had dominated over jujutsu and was sweeping over the country. The theory of win and loss was generalized on the basis of reason. "Ju" in judo was considered to mean "in" in the phrase that says "Ju" (gentleness) overcomes "Go" (stiffness).
Extracts from Prof. Kano's Lectures (1889)
All waza (techniques) must be reasonable and scientific. Reasonable waza doesn't put a strain on one, has great effect on improving the physique and is excellent as a means of competition. In order to develop reasonable waza, it is best to resort to randon in which `Tsukuri' (management of body for preparation of attacking) is practiced in Sizen-tai (natural posture). The object of training is to be instrumental in physical. intellectual and moral education.

Good Cultivation and Use of Energy
Prof. Kano said in the 43rd year of the Meiji era (1910) that the theory of cultivating energy was to take up the method to increase mental and physical ability by storing them up as much as possible. He also said that its good use is to cultivate and use human energy for good and that the theory can by acquired through judo training and may be applied to all aspects of life. Before long Prof.'s view of Judo came to form two great guideposts of "Best use of one's energy" and "Mutual welfare".
Best use of energy and mutual welfare

One can't hope to understand "Best use of energy" and "Mutual welfare" without knowing his idea of judo.
At the initial stages, primary importance of judo were attached to "Do" (road) and techniques were considered concomitant, in a word, a means to get into "Do". Besides the win and loss, therefore, a serious view was taken of its applicable facets. The theory of win and loss was the spiritual foundation.
From around the 20th year toward the 30's of the Meiji era (1887 - 1906) the theory of win and loss was taught to obtain a win by dint of the theory of "Ju". in which one utilizes the opponent's strength without acting against it. Prof. Kano said the theory can be applied not only to competition but also to general human affairs. It was not long before, however, that he came to feel it difficult to explain the technique only by the theory of "In". His idea progressed to the principle of "Good cultivation and use of energy" and finally in 1922 to the slogans, "Best use of energy" and "Mutual welfare", which he announced at home and abroad.
The theory coherent in the methods of attack and defense in judo is "to work mental and physical strength most effectively". This principle could be applied not only to competition but also to everybody and the society in general. In a word just is not merely a means of "Best use of energy" to be applied to attack and defense, but it was the name of the road of "Best use of energy" which would be brought into practice of everything in life. Prof. Kano left his last teachings to the effect that "Judo is the way to use most efficiently one's mental and physical strength. By training, one should discipline and cultivate his body and spirit through the practice of techniques for offense and defense, thereby to master the essence of this way. And. by dint of these means, it is the ultimate goal of judo to build oneself up to perfection and benefit the world". "Best use of energy" and "Mutual welfare" is the condensed version of these teachings.

While talking about the relation between "Best use of energy" and "Mutual welfare". Prof. Kano said the former goes ahead of the latter. "Best use of energy" is the basic principle of technique as well as that of social life. We can say these two slogans ultimately mean the same thing.
Prof. Kano was an excellent calligrapher. Chinese characters (Best use of energy) and (Mutual welfare) are printed here just as were written by him with a brash and India ink. His handwriting is considered to be the highest reach of calligraphy.

When we cast our eyes on the Prof.'s' writing, we are impressed with its artistic skill and feel as if we heard him speak. It makes us realize again the essential qualities of judo and its international significance. It reminds us of his great contribution toward the elevation of cultural standard and the mutual prosperity of mankind. and gives us a renewed sense of duty.

    By Prof. Jigoro Kano

Team or Individual Sports?

11 Reasons Why Martial Arts are Better for your Kids than Team Sports

As a college student I took up Judo. After four years of bi-weekly practice, I was in love with it for life. Recently I have started practicing Judo again after a 6-year hiatus. It was just like riding a bicycle – a lot of the moves just came flowing back to me and were simply fluid, as if I never left Judo at all. Along with the techniques, a lot of the life lessons that I took out of it came flowing back too. Martial Arts training - regardless of whether it's Karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Krav Maga, et al,. - is a great activity for kids, - much more so than team sports such as Basketball, Baseball, Soccer and Hockey. If you are contemplating signing up your child for some organized sports activity, here are some reasons why Junior will be a lot better off studying Judo or Jiu-Jitsu than playing in a Basketball league:

1. Self-Defense:

The number one reason why most people take up a martial art is for self-defense, and pretty much any style is a great way to learn how to defend oneself. Not only will the martial arts teach you the techniques to defend yourself, but also the way to think about defending yourself. They also help you build up the reflexes you need if you’re ever in a pickle, and give you the confidence to fight back – which leads me to my next topic...

2. Self-Confidence:

As children become more proficient in their selected style of martial arts, their confidence gets a big-boost. They become more self-assured and confident. Their Sensei’s (Teacher’s) encouragement goes a long way to help them achieve this goal, but the confidence level will extend far beyond the Dojo (Martial Arts Studio).

3. Belts and Ranking:

I know that this might seem like a stupid reason at first, but you’d be surprised how much belts and ranking help build your child’s confidence and their desire to succeed. For the uninitiated, most Martial Arts styles use a system of Colored belts to indicate the knowledge and skill levels of their practitioners. In many cases the first belt promotion can be attained in as little as a few weeks and when children obtain that first belt, it shows them that with the right motivation, they can succeed. One belt is always not enough, once a child passes one belt test he or she is already thinking about the next one. Belts are a great way to help children track their progress and motivate them to strive higher.

4. Discipline:

The mantra of any martial art is ‘practice makes perfect’ There is constant repetition in drills and practices with emphasis on details and rhythm. Kicking and punching are practiced ad nauseam; throws are repeated over and over. Even while sparring or competing – where a martial artist shows how creatively he or she can apply their well-honed skills – there are still rules and protocols to be followed.  All of this teaches children to respect one another, their opponents and colleagues, and how to play games fair and square – lessons that follow them in their non-Martial Arts lives. It also teaches them the benefits of frequent practice, and the patience to get there (Remember the Karate Kid and Wax On/Wax Off?!).

5. Emphasis on Individual Achievement:

In basketball there are only five starters, yet there are seldom only five people on a team – which means that someone has to start each game on the bench. This applies for most team sports as well. In team sports there are also positions, and each has connotations. Although teamwork and sportsmanship are emphasized in team sports, at some point you’ll need to explain to your child why they aren’t a starter or why their stuck in right field batting 9^th instead of playing first base and batting cleanup. In the martial arts, however, each child’s success is based on his or her own individual merits. Yes, your kid may not be the most winning Judoka in his Judo class, but that will be because he tried and lost, and not because he wasn’t good enough to make it off the bench. Your child will also not be stuck on a ‘bad team’ as her own ambition will help her achieve success. Knowing that their own ambition and abilities will drive them to succeed, will lessen the chances that your child will say to you ‘I hate this sport’. Since each child has an opportunity to play, there is also no scapegoat to blame if they don’t win, and the opportunity to do better at the next tournament.

6. Gender Equity:

I am sure that while many of you would consider martial arts for their sons, not nearly as many would consider it for their daughters. However the martial arts are one of the few sports where both boys and girls can play together. There are also tremendous international opportunities in Women’s martial arts as well. Your daughter’s red belt will not be any easier for her to attain than your son’s red belt will be for him. It also gives brothers and sisters an opportunity to practice together and learn from one another as well (not to mention the convenience of having all of your kids in one place at a time). My college Judo coach, Sensei Maureen Braziel, competed for the US on an international level, and she is a great coach and an excellent Judo practitioner, in addition, one of Israel’s few Olympic Medals, a Silver Medal, came from Yael Arad in the women’s Judo competition in 1992 in Barcelona. Maybe your daughter will become an Olympic Judoka too some day?

7. Exercise:

The typical 2-hour martial arts class will often be comprised of warm-up calisthenics, teaching and practicing of moves and possibly some sparring. The warm up and practice comprise the bulk of the time, and for that time your child will be constantly on the go – stretching, crunches, punches and kicks. The workout each child gets will not only assist in the natural development of his or her muscles, but also help them build stronger Cardio-Vascular systems. Even in the most active of team sports such as Basketball, Hockey, or Soccer, children don’t get that much of a workout simply because they generally don’t play the whole game and even if they do, there are still breaks in the action.

8. Respect for Strength:

The first thing the parents of (even slightly) mischievous children think about when they send their kids to martial arts class is: “Is my kid going to use this to hurt others?” Although this is a legitimate concern, it is always addressed early by instructors who remind students that the techniques they learn in the dojo stay in the dojo (except in self-defense), and shouldn’t be used to bully people (unless your Sensei is John Kreese from The Karate Kid). As children learn the ropes, they will learn to respect their newfound strength and techniques. They will also gain a disdain for bullying as well.

9. Competition:

Just like in team sports, Judo is all about competition. Competition is great for kids to test their skills and show their progress. Unlike team sports, the loser can’t really blame anyone beyond his or herself. But then this gives them a sense of respect for their opponent, as well as motivation to do better the next time. Unlike team sports, which treat each game as a leg in the entire season, each tournament is a fresh start, and it is seldom that you get only one match (even in the Olympics where there is a single-elimination for the Gold and Silver medals, there is a second-chance round for those who have lost their first matches for them to be able to win a Bronze).

10. You can do it with them:

Many martial arts schools offer classes for both adults and children. While most do not run those classes simultaneously, they are usually one right after the other. This means that you can watch your children workout, and then they can watch you. If you have the proper space for it, you can practice with each other at home, and learn from one another. This will give you a special activity to use as a bonding tool with your kids. You can also become physically fit together. Granted, you can play Basketball in your driveway and have a catch in the backyard, but it is just not the same as working on your kids’ roundhouse kicks in a group.

11. The Never-Ending Season:

Many team sports, especially those primarily played outdoors, or in specific weather (think Skiing, Hockey) are seasonal. The Martial Arts are a year-round affair. As I mentioned above, a bad tournament only puts you out until the next tournament, and your exercise routine remains constant the entire year. Having this consistency also helps build upon discipline, and allows children to progress very quickly.
…and 4 more reasons that they should specifically learn Judo
Since I am, after all, a Judoka, I would be remiss if I didn’t provide some additional reasons why your child will benefit specifically from Judo more so than any other Martial Art:

12. They will exercise their minds too.

While all martial arts teach you to fighting strategies, Judo really teaches much more. While learning Kuzushi (the art of breaking your opponents’ balance) and throwing techniques, they learn Mechanical Physics. Combination techniques and follow-ups teach them improvisation, and finally, they learn a lot of Japanese too (I’ve already taught my two-year old how to count to ten in Japanese). In most other forms of Martial Art, the language is limited to the words: Sensei (teacher) Hajime (Start) and Matte (Stop).

13. Judo isn’t about brute force, it is about control:

Kano Sensei (Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo), in his teachings, emphasized the concept of maximum efficiency. This is evident, as the crux of many Judo techniques is not necessarily brute force, but using your opponents’ movements and strength against him or her. While physical strength and size are important, mental strength is probably the most vital factor in competition.

14. Your child will be well coordinated (and we’re not talking about Fashion)

When you’re using your opponents’ moves against him or her, timing is everything. Many of the throws in Judo will simply not work if you don’t time them correctly. Feet, hands, hips and head all need to move in fluid and exact timed motions to properly execute a throw (which is why an Ippon – or full point – is so hard to achieve in competition). As your child practices he or she will learn more complex throws and, in turn, will demonstrate better reflexes and coordination as a result.

15. Judo is Universal

If a Karate practitioner travels to another city he or she might have a hard time finding a dojo to work out in that has the exact same style and philosophy as their home dojo. Not so for Judoka – because the techniques and principles are practically universal. A New Yorker can go to California for a week, and still find a place to play. There are over a hundred member countries in the International Judo Federation, and at the Olympics, the competing Judoka came from places as diverse as Cuba, Israel, and Kazakhstan as well as from the expected countries like Japan, USA, Russia and the France. Although the styles of teaching and ranking and promotion standards vary slightly from country to country – Judo is Judo is Judo. Which helps your child stick with it, even into adulthood, as it will never be hard to find a dojo to train in, and the material will always be the same even if the location is not.
Hopefully I’ve piqued your interest to the point where you are thinking where to start investigating the Martial Arts for your child. Martial Arts classes are given at many community centers, and schools are also listed in the phone book. However my advice is that you go online for suggestions on dojos and instructors as well as answers to any questions you might have. This site, Judoinfo.com, and its sister, JudoForum.com, are two great places to start investigating the sport of Judo and getting your questions answered. If you use Google, Yahoo, or other Internet search engines a simple search for, say ‘Karate Forums’ or ‘Jiu-Jitsu information’ will probably point you to similar sites for those arts.
If you are skeptical about making a commitment to a Martial Art for your child, you should definitely talk to the Sensei of the school you are interested in sending them too. Many schools will offer trial options, especially for younger kids, so you don’t need to make a huge financial commitment up front if you feel that it isn’t for your child.

In conclusion, Martial Arts are a wonderful alternative to team sports that will provide your child with not only an excellent physical workout, but also act as a vehicle to provide them with a mental and emotional workout as well.

    by Yonah Wolf