Judo Martial Arts Training - An Introduction to Throwing Techniques

For most people involved in judo, from beginners to seasoned veterans, the throwing skills are the most interesting and exciting part of the sport. Whenever there is a major competition, the spectators, who are usually almost all judo players themselves of varying degrees of ability, are there to see the throws. To the outsider judo can seem a strange and confusing sport; the rules are difficult to grasp and the scoring system seems almost incomprehensible. In fact most of the aspects of judo competition which are difficult to understand come from attempts to orient what was originally a very personal confrontation into a spectator sport.

The basic, definitive concept in judo is that of ippon, or a decisive victory over an opponent. This notion is inherited from the martial arts origin of the sport where the conflict was a matter of life or death for those involved. At the heart of that concept is an aesthetic notion of what constitutes a good, decisive throw, and the good throw is what all judo players set out to achieve every time they step on the mat. All judo matches begin standing up and the fighters have to try to throw each other; if they do not they are penalized for non-combativity or passivity. If they go to the ground in the course of their struggles they carry on fighting there. But it is not acceptable to just drag an opponent to the floor and finish him in groundwork. There are many throws in judo and different ones tend to suit different physiques.

The basic throwing techniques are grouped in five series of eight techniques called the go-kyo. These forty techniques by no means provide an exhaustive catalogue, however, and the Kodokan officially recognizes seventeen otherthrows, the shimmeiso-no-waza, some of which are major techniques often seen in modern competition. The go-kyo is still at the heart of judo, though, and the technical basis for all of the throwing techniques is to be found there.

As a general comment, it is important to distinguish between major techniques and trick techniques. A major technique will work time and again, even when an opponent has seen it, or even been thrown by it previously. Trick techniques on the other hand tend to work because of a surprise factor, although with effort and perseverance a trick can some-times be turned into a major technique. The techniques of the go-kyo are potentially all major techniques.

Any analysis of the major scoring techniques in modern competition shows that certain basic throws are successful time and time again. These throws are uchimata, seoi-nage, harai-goshi, tomoe-nageand tai-otoshi. They are seen in almost all weight categories as are leg grabs, foot sweeps and pick-ups and stand out as being the most effective techniques, even if only because they are the most difficult throws to prevent.

There is also a group of throws which are worthy of study called take-downs, including techniques such as hikkomi-gaeshi, obi-toh-gaeshiand sumi-gaeshi, which have evolved for dealing with extremely defensive opponents. While unlikely to score ippon because their throwing action is inherently less dynamic than the classical throws of the go-kyo, these are nevertheless skilful techniques for taking the fight to the ground.

According to the original Japanese concept of judo the ideal ippon was a single technique which, when performed in contest, represented the release of a lifetime's training. Traditionally the Japanese most admired the single direct attack made in a spirit of complete self-abandonment in which nothing was held back. The thrill of the sport for the spectator was in seeing the risk accepted and taken in an all-or-nothing spirit. Combination judo, or counter-attacks, were felt for a long time to be somehow less pure, but old attitudes are changing. Now, for many Japanese, just as in the West, the result is the most important thing and, at the end of the day, any kind of ippon is preferable to a referee's decision.

An analogy is often made between the ippon throw and the knock-out punch in boxing. It is a valid analogy, the difference being that in judo no violence is done to the opponent. Consider the difference between a combination which ends in an ippon throw and the boxer knocked out by a cluster of five or six punches to the head. In judo only the final technique is decisive, in boxing each and every punch does damage. Throwing an opponent for ippon is a form of self expression which is both athletic and artistic, but because the opponent knows how to fall there is no damage or violence involved. It only becomes an easy task after years of hard work. Indeed, even for experts contest remains arduous, because however good they become someone equally or almost as skilled is always waiting to confront them.

The difference between combat sports and other disciplines, such as gymnastics, where athletes compete for points against an objective standard as well as against each other is that in judo the fighter is only as good as his opponent allows him to be.

     By Tony Hackerott

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Jujitsu, Judo and Aikido - Their Origins and What These Japanese Martial Arts Have in Common

What do jujitsu, judo and aikido have in common? They are all Japanese martial arts that have their foundation in Budo - the Way of the warrior. All three martial arts involve throwing and subduing a opponent or attacker.

The ways an attacker can be beaten or subdued include chokes and strangles (Judo), joint locks and grappling. Judo and jujitsu will both take an opponent to the ground for submission. Aikido can apply a lock from the ground or from standing - and with multiple attackers it is best to be on your feet.

Jujitsu has a history that goes back hundreds of years, whereas judo and aikido are newer martial arts which came to being in the 20th century.

Budo, the Way of the warrior, was originally about fighting in battle and killing your enemies before they could kill you. But the founders of judo and Aikido took the old fighting and killing skills and made them more defensive.

Jigoro Kano sensei was a jujitsu master who called on the jujitsu schools of the time to merge and modernise their teachings, and he founded what is known today as Kodokan Judo.

Judo was recognised as an Olympic sport in the 1960s.

Morihei Ueshiba sensei was a master of several spear, sword and jujitsu styles which he blended into a defensive system he termed Aikido. Most of Ueshiba Sensei's highest-ranking students - who became Masters of the art - founded their own schools of Aikido after World War Two, which helps to account for the many different styles of Aikido in existence today.

One of the most interesting forms is Shodokan Aikido, founded by Kenji Tomiki sensei, who was a high-ranking student of both Jigoro Kano and of Morihei Ueshiba. Thus Tomiki Sensei was a Master of both Judo and Aikido, and his style reflects both these skill sets. It can even have randori free-practice and shiai competition (just like Judo) which gives it a sporting aspect as well as self-defense.

       By David Harvey 

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Martial Arts and the American Spirit - The 1964 Judo Team

In United States during the 1960's the civil rights debate raged on around the country, but a handful of men put aside their petty differences and banned together to chase a dream. Under Olympic rules, the host country can add a sport to the games so in 1964 when Japan was selected to host the games, Judo was added to the events. Though this was the first year Judo was an Olympic event the United States still fielded an experienced team made up of Americans from a variety of ethnic, religious and economical backgrounds.

From the beginning, Dr. Jigoro Kano Judo's founder taught anyone who wanted to learn. It was the first time this type of training, normally reserved for nobility, was made available to the masses. Kano sent instructors all over the world to teach people the martial art and expose them to Japanese culture. Unlike before, students of any nationality were welcomed and encouraged to train at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo. A special section was eventually set up to help teach foreigners this amazing martial art. Among these foreigners was British police officer William Fairbairn. He would go on earn his black belt in Judo (2nd degree) and would go to teach other police officers and soldiers practical close combat and self defense techniques based of what he learned. Kano would travel the world teaching and lecturing and in 1938 he even sat on the Olympic committee in an effort to bring the Olympics to Tokyo.

The American team embodied the true spirit of Judo and as well served as a snapshot of American society of the day. The team to head to Tokyo in 1964 included African American George Harris, an Air Force veteran who had won a number of important tournaments around the world. In addition to military competitions and he trained at the Kodokan in Japan several times. Another Air Force veteran to join the team was Native American Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who was first introduced to Judo by Japanese friends growing up in California. Like Harris, he continued to practice Judo in the military and trained bomber pilots in combat martial arts as part of their survival training. Also on the team was James Bergman, a Jew who's Asthma forced him to stay inside so he trained in Judo to keep fit and be able to fight off bullies (an added benefit of this martial art). His dedication would bring him to the Olympics. He would even train with martial arts legend and author Donn Draeger. Finally, veteran Judo instructor Yosh Uchida a Japanese American would coach the team.

The competition was fierce at the Olympics in 1964, but the Japanese would still dominate three of the four weight classes. The one exception was the 6'7" 320 pound Anton Geesink of Holland who won a gold medal bye defeating Akio Kaminaga in the open weight division. Though victorious Geesink would behave honorably and prevent Dutch fans from fighting with Japanese fans who were shocked by the defeat. James Bergman would be the only American to medal with a Bronze. Though American didn't bring home the Gold Meda,l the team made a good showing and earned the respect of other nations. The United States would not win another medal in Judo until 1976 when Allen J. Coage an African American won the Bronze Medal. Though the United States has yet to win a Gold Medal in Judo, American teams remain competitive in the Olympics and other competitions.

The original members of the 1964 team still continued to contribute to the sport today. George Harris continued to compete though he would not compete in the Olympics again. He also helped found the United States Judo Association and remains active as a board member. Though he has been ill in the last few years he continues to train which he credits with keeping him strong. Ben Campbell also worked to promote Judo with Harris in the USJA and is on the board. Campbell would also work as a police officer, teacher, and be elected as Senator for Colorado from 1993 until 2005. Bergman also teaches, writes, and continues to promote Judo. He remains proud to be a member of America's first Olympic Judo team.

In a time when society was demanding equality for all and that a man be judged by his ability not his race a group of athletes stood up and became a symbol of America. For many the team meant another step forward for civil rights, but to the team it was just being true sportsmen. Sports don't build character, they reveal it and in 1964 the United States showed what could be done if everyone worked together.

       By Damian Ross

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The Japanese Martial Art of Judo

Judo is a modern Japanese martial art and Olympic sport. The Japanese word Judo means "gentle way." The object of Judo is to throw one's opponent to the ground, immobilize, or subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver. Or one can force a contestant to submit by applying pressure in the form of a joint lock to the elbow or by executing a choke.

Strikes and thrusts as well as weapons defenses are part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms which are called Katas. Katas not permitted in judo competition or free practice. This martial art originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. Eventually, the philosophy and successive pedagogy developed for judo became the model for just about all modern Eastern martial arts that developed from "traditional" colleges.

The spread of Judo throughout the world has led on to the development of a number of offshoots like Sambo and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. The history of judo is inseparable from that of its founder, the Japanese teacher Jigoro Kano. Kano was born into a wealthy Japanese family.

Small and weak as a boy, he was sometimes picked on by bullies. He initially began studying the art of Ju-Jitsu at the age of seventeen, but only met with minimal success. This was in part due to difficulties in finding a teacher who would take him on as a student. When he went to school to analyze literature at the age of 18, he continued his self-defense skills studies, ultimately gaining a referral to Fukuda Hachinosuke, a master of the Tenjin Shin'yM-ryk.

Fukuda Hachinosuke is alleged to have stressed strategy over formal exercise, sowing the seeds of Kano's stress of free practice in Judo training. Whilst Judo includes a number of rolls, falls, throws, hold downs, chokes, joint-locks, and strikes, the first focus is on throwing and groundwork.

Throws are divided in 2 types, standing strategies and sacrifice methodologies. Standing tactics are further divided into hand strategies, hip methods, and foot and leg systems. Sacrifice methods are split into those in which the thrower falls immediately backwards, and those in which he falls onto his side.

The ground fighting systems are split into attacks against the joints or joint locks, strangleholds or chokeholds and holding or pinning methodologies. A sort of sparring is practiced in judo, known as randori meaning "free practice". In randori, 2 adversaries may attack one another with any judo throw or grappling system. Striking methods like kicking and smacking, with knife and sword systems are kept in the kata training.

This form of instruction is generally reserved for higher ranking practitioners, but are banned in contest, and often prohibited in randori for reasons of safety. Also for reasons of safety, chokeholds, joint locking, and the sacrifice systems are subject to age or rank limitations.

In the US many facilities require that one must be thirteen or older to use choke holds, and sixteen or older to use arm locks. Judo remains a popular martial art with heavy influence on various other forms. Judo is a modern Japanese martial art and sport. The Japanese word Judo can be translated as "gentle way." Its most memorable feature is its competitive component. The object is to throw one's opponent to the ground, immobilize, or subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver. Or one can force a contestant to submit by joint locking the elbow or by executing a choke.

Strikes and thrusts as well as weapons defenses are part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms which are called Katas. Katas not permitted in judo competition or free practice. This martial art originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. Eventually, the philosophy and successive pedagogy developed for judo became the model for just about all modern Eastern martial arts that developed from "traditional" colleges.

The spread of Judo throughout the world has led on to the development of a number of offshoots like Sambo and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. The history of judo is inseparable from that of its founder, the Japanese teacher Jigoro Kano. Kano was born into a prosperous Japanese family.

Small and weak as a boy, he was sometimes picked on by bullies. He initially began studying the art of Ju-Jitsu at the age of seventeen, but only met with minimal success. This was in part due to difficulties in finding a teacher who would take him on as a student. When he went to school to analyze literature at the age of 18, he continued his self-defense skills studies, ultimately gaining a referral to Fukuda Hachinosuke, a master of the Tenjin Shin'y?-ry?.

Fukuda Hachinosuke is alleged to have stressed strategy over formal exercise, sowing the seeds of Kano's stress of free practice in Judo training. Whilst Judo includes a number of rolls, falls, throws, hold downs, chokes, joint-locks, and strikes, the first focus is on throwing and groundwork.

Throws are divided in 2 types, standing strategies and sacrifice methodologies. Standing tactics are further divided into hand strategies, hip methods, and foot and leg systems. Sacrifice methods are split into those in which the thrower falls immediately backwards, and those in which he falls onto his side.

The ground fighting systems are split into attacks against the joints or joint locks, strangleholds or chokeholds and holding or pinning methodologies. A sort of sparring is practiced in judo, known as randori meaning "free practice". In randori, 2 adversaries may attack one another with any judo throw or grappling system. Striking methods like kicking and smacking, with knife and sword systems are kept in the kata training.

This form of instruction is generally reserved for higher ranking practitioners, but are banned in contest, and often prohibited in randori for reasons of safety. Also for reasons of safety, chokeholds, joint locking, and the sacrifice systems are subject to age or rank limitations.

In the US many facilities require that one must be thirteen or older to use choke holds, and sixteen or older to use arm locks. Judo remains a popular martial art with heavy influence on various other forms.

      By Jacob Lumbroso

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Understanding the Armlock in Jiu Jitsu

For one of the most basic and first moves you will learn in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Armlocks are far from a simple concept. There are two variations of armlocks you will learn in jiu jitsu. The straight armlock can be applied from various scenarios and is an extremely effective finishing technique. 

The limit of the straight armlock vs the bent armlock is the control factor. A bent armlock aka the "kimura," can be used as a finishing technique as well as a controlling technique. Another benefit to the bent armlocks are they usually are lower risk because the attacker usually maintains good positioning if the move fails unlike the straight armlock. Due to this difference the order of attack usually begins with the bent armlock and then transitions into the straight armlock.

With that in mind let's break down the two into some specifics.The straight armlock is classically attacked from the guard and the mount position however it is possible to hit this move from the back, turtle, cross side, and standing as well. The BJJ and Judo expert David Camarillo, who is well known for having one of the nastiest armlocks in the sport, once explained to me the armlock should be called the elbow lock. It does make much more sense to name the move the elbow lock because only the elbow is isolated in a straight armlock.

The important thing to remember in this move is where the breaking pressure comes from. The main pressure is applied using the hips so you must have SQUARE hips not tilted to one side. From the guard when the leg is passes over the face you will be leaned toward one side and you must SQUARE off first before applying any pressure. The second most important breaking pressure comes from the isolation around the elbow joint provided by the knees squeezing together. With square hips and the knees pinched together the third element is proper wrist control.

DON'T HOLD THE WRIST WITH YOUR HANDS!!!

Instead use what I call the tombstone grip. If you don't know this grip its trapping the wrist using the crook of your elbow which achieves two objectives. Firstly its much more powerful using your entire body weight to finish the move instead of just your biceps. Secondly it makes it very challenging for your opponent to defend the lock because his wrist is trapped and extended. If your opponent is fast enough to defend by stacking you up you made several mistakes. First thing armlocks from the guard have to be TIMED not just tossed out there. A well timed joint lock is much tougher to escape and combined with proper leg work is almost impossible. Rember that if something goes wrong its not the armlocks fault.

The bent armlocks are kimuras and American locks. As discussed prior the bent armlock is much more powerful than the straight armlock because of its controlling nature. The bent armlocks can come in handy when trapped on the bottom as they can be used to force an opponent to either submit or bail on position. The key to finishing these techniques is body rotation. The classic mistake with bent armlocks is trying to finish the move with the arms and not the body. To apply powerful finishing force one needs to attach their elbows in and use their entire body to finish the move. One thing to be careful of when using kimuras on bottom is the straight arm lock counter attack your opponent has, if this doesn't make sense ask me after class and ill explain it further as it's a complicated explanation. I hope this helps you guys out!! There will be more articles coming soon the move into the new academy has kept me busy.

      By Sean Apperson

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Judo's Kesa Gatame in Brazilian Jiujitsu

Kesa Gatame is the Japanese name for a position used in Judo that is also used in Brazilian Jiujitsu where it's known as head and arm or the scarf hold.

Many practitioners of Brazilian jiujitsu criticize this position as having a major flaw because you are left vulnerable to your opponent taking your back. This can be prevented if you are careful and aware about proper foot placement as well as remaining balanced and in control.

The key to making it useful and effective in BJJ is to develop your submission skills from here, by doing so you are essentially taking an effective pin from Judo and modifying it's use thus making it effective in BJJ.

The most common submission from here is a neck crank, but many other possibilities exist as well.

Armlocks, chokes, and even leg locks are just some of the submissions you can set up from here.

To initiate the neck crank you'll need to move up high underneath the arm you're trapping and grab your opponent's wrist pushing it down to the ground and trapping it with your ankle that's parallel with the ground. From there you now pull up and back hard on your opponent's head causing the neck crank.

An important point to maintaining control from this position is in maintaining a strong balance to prevent your opponent from either reversing you by pulling and bridging you over or taking your back. To effectively prevent this you'll have to practice keeping your opponent pinned in this position just to develop the feel and tactile sense to prevent his escapes.

A great throw that you can effectively couple with Kesa Gatame to end up with it on the ground is Koshi Guruma. This Judo throw involves the same hand positioning with the head and arm ground pin, so all you have to do is after executing the throw, hold on to your opponent and go to the ground with him instead of throwing him down and away from you. This will enable you to end up in Kesa gatame on the ground with your arms already in place holding his head and arm in the pin position from where you can establish and set up your submissions.

In closing, I cannot stress the usefulness and effectiveness of this position when properly applied so if you aren't aware of the possibilities involved with Kesa Gatame I would suggest you begin including it in your game and you'll see a whole new world of submission finishes open up.

      By Kosta Megas

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Beginning

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be classified alongside the sports of Judo and Taekwondo, being a martial art and combat sport. As well as being used for the art of self defense, it is great in character building in the young person, giving them a focus and aim in life.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is said to have come about due to a large immigrant population of Japanese in Brazil, its' invention being a relatively new one, in the twentieth century. It is derived form the Japanese martial art of Judo, and although is very similar in many aspects, ranking being gained by stripes and bjj belts, it sets itself aside from Judo by being a sport that is more focused on ground fighting.

The main focus of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the capability to grapple your opponent to the ground, locking them into a position from which they are unable to move, regardless of the weight of the opponents.

The Jiu Jitsu Gi is the formal uniform used when training and fighting Ju Jitsu. Again, it is very similar to that of Judo, but the legs and arms are slightly less loose. Traditionally the Bjj Gi must be warn for all training sessions, and although no Gi is allowed by some, when fighting in tournaments, it is compulsory.

Ranking in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, again follows a similar pattern to those of both Judo and Taekwondo, the black belt being the highest and much respected ranking. Depending on commitment levels, it can take up to or more than ten years to obtain the black belt. Bjj Belts are categorized into junior and senior, seniors starting at the age of 16.

Like its' counterparts, Judo and Taekwondo, it is encouraged from a very early age, being both a healthy practice, as well as a method of learning both self defense and self discipline. From its' development in the early twentieth century, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has become a very popular and well practiced sport, holding many competitions worldwide, as well as at local levels.

The main techniques for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, that stand it apart from its' ancestor Judo, are the techniques of joint locks, choke holds, and submission holds. These techniques show the individual that they do not need to be scared of an enemy or opponent who is bigger, or stronger than themselves, in one clean move, they can have their opponent immobilized on the ground.

It is important that all youngsters learn self defense in todays society, but also it is of explicit importance that their knowledge is not abused. In learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the individual also builds character and self control, making them a well rounded person, able to use their knowledge in the correct situations. It is often argued if the Brazilian art of Jiu Jitsu came from the Japanese art of judo, or that of Japanese Ju Jitsu, but from either or both of the above, has developed a worldwide recognized martial art and combat sport.

      By Shawn M. Nassiri

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