Month: January 2008

Judo with TWO shoulders

The good news is that it looks like my AC joint injury was just a Grade 1.

I rested it over the weekend, and went along to a session on Tuesday. I strapped it up but in contrast to Thursday (where it just did not want to go in some directions at all!) it was excellent. In fact, no noticable problems whatsoever. I think there may have been a small amount of weakness but no pain.

The bruising has come through: Several inches away from the injury site!

The joint itself is still a little popped up, but the swelling may not have completely gone down yet. That said, reading around on the subject would indicate that even though the injury may completely heal, the bump may remain.

The session itself was good. Upset at myself for falling back to some “old favourites” in Randori (Hello, Hikikom Gaeshi), but at least I tried a few other things. I just need to try those other things MORE.

Made up for that in Newaza, even though if I did get pinned due to experimental chokes going a bit awry 😉 This is the one in question:

I need some advice on the correct spinning (turning?) motion once the hands are in place as that is where I am getting stuck.

Weight training continues, with the numbers going up. Unfortunately, due to stubborness I now have a slight pulled muscle in my back. I dropped a weight when doing deadlifts due to losing my grip, and should really have called it a day then, but retried it. Stupid.

Judo with one shoulder

Against perhaps my better judgement (I am rubbish at self-control when it comes to injuries), I went to Judo last night.

My left shoulder, due to the dodgy AC joint, is tender. However, what is frustrating is that it becomes painful with certain movements only. As an example, I can raise my arm to the sides, swing it in circles and so on. But having to push it outwards against resistance hurts.

This effectively makes the arm useless in Judo, and nullifies a lot of core strength. Fear of that pain reduces speed. Sometimes I found myself being attacked where normally I could post with the arm to easily block it, but I just had to let the attack happen and find another route. Really frustrating.

Still it did open up a few opportunities. I got caught in an arm lock during Newaza (I would have easily avoided this with a working arm!) and did not have the strength to pull it out due to the injury. I’m not saying to always use pure grunt to work against things, but I couldn’t use the arm as a lever in an effective way due to the shoulder. I was forced instead to use my other arm to help move around the body, and then blocking the technique with the rest of my body. That worked. Even got a pin!

Another issue is that I would see an opening, but my instincts would say, “Hmm, if I do that, but then they pull against me, it will HURT” – so I don’t go for it.

Standing work was better, but again I was slow due to “the fear”. So I concentrated on gripping strategies and the like instead.

However, I am setting myself up for secondary injuries. By having such a fear of landing on the shoulder again, it would negatively impact my breakfalls… so I could do more damage.

Ronda Rousey has a recent entry on this sort of thing:

What sucks about injuries though is you really have to humble yourself. Instead of trying to twist and turn and funk your way out of attacks, you have to take a lot of falls you wouldn’t normally have to. You see openings for throws or in ne-waza that you have to for yourself not to do because it will strain the injury.

Yup, that’s it 🙁

I really need to rest it properly.

Sprained AC joint – The curse of crash mats

A good Judo session tonight. It’s a competition club so the pace is high and it really highlights my fitness. Sorry… unfitness. The local Army guys visit so it puts things a little in perspective!

Crash mats are more trouble than they are worth sometimes. In my first year of Judo, my Iliotibial Band Syndrome was as a result of taking a knee to the leg doing crash mat work. The swelling from the impact moved down the leg until it aggravated the Iliotibial Band, and it took a while to sort itself out!

Tonight I was thrown, but my head and shoulder missed the crash mat. Thus the majority of the impact was absorbed by them (as opposed to it being shared by the rest of my body on a totally flat surface).

Immediate pain in my shoulder (specifically, the Acromioclavicular joint). Thankfully in the, “Hmm, this hurts, I had better take a break and stretch it” sort, as opposed to “OMG THE PAIN GIVE ME MORPHINE” style.

It’s still tender now. I have full range of motion, but it is slightly painful when the arm is working in certain ways. The best example is if I grasp my hands together in front of me, then try and pull them apart.

Definite swelling there. At first I thought a part of bone had been dislodged, but pressing it highlights it is just swelling. And no evil crunching noises!

So, careful monitoring and sweet, sweet Ibuprofen. RICE is a way of life for me nowadays…

In terms of the Judo, some nice advice, but essentially revolving around attacking as soon as I have a grip I want.. no hanging about! This ties in nicely with movement etc… Also, I keep letting myself be crunched down, even by shorter players. It’s a stupid instinctive reaction I have when a hand comes over my shoulder!

1st Kyu! Well, in theory…

I graded up to 1st Kyu today… albeit only in the Theory components. So nothing changes until I complete the contest examination at a future grading. And I’m in no rush to do that right now, as I feel I have a long way to go. Some details on the required theory here.

Also, in order to experience life “on the other side”, I’ll be going on a Referee training course next month! With my current grade I’m eligible to become an Area Referee (provided I pass the course) which would be interesting.

Training in general was a bit “meh”. Groundwork was nice as I got some nice strangles and turnovers to work (although I need some more ideas when facing someone on the knees… aside from pulling guard and working from there, of course). Standing… not enough movement and attacking spirit on my part. Some gripping “tricks” have started to work but MUCH more practice needed there.

So…. hmm, basically 🙂

Myth Watch: Women and Weight Lifting

One of the unfortunate myths about weight training, is that if you are a girl who does it, you will turn into some sort of freak, right down to probably growing testicles.

Not true. In fact, any of the typical hot girls (Hi, Angelina Jolie!) will not have gained that figure by chewing on lettuce. Weights are a requirement. This article gives some more information.

Need more evidence? Here you go…

Jimmy Pedro clinic clip

The Judo Podcast has an upcoming interview with Jimmy Pedro. Visit their site in order to suggest any questions.

The announcement has a clip from a recent clinic (Takes a while to load). It’s an interesting demo of an alternative grip entry for Tai Otoshi, and it is nice to see the emphasis placed on remembering to keep rotating!

I’ve ordered Jimmy’s Grip Like A World Champion DVD, so expect a review soon. He also plays left-handed (although note he is demonstrating right-handed in the video clip).

Never too old to Rock and Roll!

BBC Radio 4 highlighted this cool little project on Front Row.

Weekend Warriors is a scheme being run by the Music Industries Association.

The Weekend Warriors programme gives lapsed musicians the once in a lifetime opportunity to re-join a band and relive their musical youth. It’s run in music stores throughout the UK. They will provide you with the latest equipment, rehearsal space, and a mentor to provide advice and support. It starts with an induction evening where you join other Warriors and start your new band. Then after 5 rehearsals you play your own live gig in front of family and friends!

How cool is that? Also, a participating store is close to me. I have been mulling over getting myself along to some jam sessions again, but the above sounds even more ideal!

First week of Judo and Starting Strength

This has been the first week that I have been combining Judo with my new weight training routine.

I have already covered Monday’s Judo session so here are some crib notes from the rest of the Judo:

Tachiwaza:

  • I’m continuing my left-handed approach, with further success with Osoto Gari. My version is more of the “hook and drive” style and I really do need to watch the Kuzushi on this. It’s something you can get away with against smaller players, but an extremely hard counter will result if Tori is not careful.
  • The above throw against opponents with extreme right-sided stances makes it difficult to gain the entry. So probably not the best throw to use then. Ouchi Gari would perhaps be a better option, or of course a forward throw instead. And consider the usual sacrifice possibilities, and Ura Nage.
  • One of my favourite throws is Hikkomi Gaeshi (sometimes referred to as Obi Tori Gaeshi). Works well when working as a left-hander against a right-handed opponent as it is easier to get the over-the-top belt grip. Now working on throwing when getting the LEFT hand over the shoulder. First attempt was amusing… I got the grip, then threw myself onto my back as I forgot to go in the opposite direction 😉
  • At one club, there are more people either my size or bigger! This is great, as it means I will have to adapt a lot. Really means I have to play for movement and not try and beat strength vs strength when I am weaker… it does not end well!
  • MUCH more work on Ouchi Gari needed. Feels all over the place.
  • Hiza Guruma is working MUCH better now I am stepping closer. When successful it really does FEEL like Uke is being wheeled over! The closeness also means that the standard Osoto Gari to Hiza Guruma combination feels more natural in my head now.
  • When gripping the collar, back etc, BEND THE ELBOW. Or that arm is very vunerable to being locked. Reminded me to go for the Whizzer grip myself when someone makes the same mistake… it’s very strong and useful to proceed into Ouchi Gari with.

Newaza:

  • Speed over strength. Newaza can quickly turn into a bit of a tug of war in some positions. Far better to use speed to gain positional advantages, and to switch between different techniques.
  • Turnover: Grab Uke’s right wrist with right hand (IMPORTANT: Thumb on TOP so your own grip doesn’t prevent movement). Rotate around Uke’s body anti-clockwise. Be on your feet for power and balance. Once on opposite side, use both arms to pull Uke onto their back. Need to practice this further. Note there is a Sangaku entry from here when half-way round.
  • Don’t be taken by surprise. If “rushed” by an opponent, balance should at least be as such so they can be pulled into guard. Should NEVER be forced to turtle. Keep one leg up?

And the weight training?

I went Wednesday and Friday (remember I only started on Wednesday). Ouch. Sore. The good kind though, as opposed to things going a bit awry. Certainly means I have less strength available for use in Judo when in recovery, but hey, if that helps with my technique then that can only be a good thing…

Hug a Judoka, today!

I visited a new club yesterday (after taking a bit of a detour due to some intriguing satnav behaviour).

A pure technique session, which was very handy. And it has helped highlight some of the flaws I need to work on. The sad thing is, I’m aware of these, but really need a repeated kicking until I address them properly:

  1. Body contact for throws. Enough said. As a long limbed player, I tend to fight at a distance, but it is important to close this distance when throwing to make things effective.
  2. SLOW DOWN in Uchikomi. It’s not a race. Get the basics down correct first. Employing the correct stepping patterns etc.
  3. Be a better Uke. This generally falls under the RELAX mantra.

I am mostly working on being left-handed right now. I was shown a neat gripping variant of Ippon Seoinage. From a standard left-handed grip, come in for a right-sided attack (in other words, Tori is pulling Uke’s lapel with their left hand, as their right hand releases Uke’s sleeve and comes in under the shoulder).

This would appear to be a technique employed by Toshihiko Koga. I thought it seemed eerily familiar.

Anyway, it feels very natural to me, and due to the lapel grip, ensures close body contact as well.

Here’s a video highlighting this version:

And, as Koga is pretty awesome with this throw in general, here’s a highlight!

As a taller player, I don’t tend to employ shoulder throws too much in Randori at all — but I love the feel of them when practising.