Category: Newaza

The Flow of Judo

A good session tonight. More things are starting to click, and Randori feels like a natural flow.

I am getting more comfortable at not just playing left-handed, but also adjusting my grip to suit the throw, Uke and so on. In other words, adapting! The Grip Like A World Champion DVD has given me a few ideas, as has watching countless Judo match videos on the likes of YouTube. Essentially, I am starting to feel loose yet in control.

In particular, my Osoto Gari is feeling nice (long legs!). For other throws, I am working on gripping higher up the sleeve. This forces me to be closer to Uke, making throws such as Hiza Guruma easier. Having long limbs is great, but trying to force throws at a distance is not always a good thing.

A key point is that I am feeling more when the appropriate time for a throw is, as opposed to just trying a throw regardless and seeing what happens.

I have been working on a lapel-side Seoi Nage for a while (from a left-handed grip, performing the right-handed throw). It feels very nice. I have always enjoyed working on shoulder throws in technique work, but never felt comfortable with trying to slot them into Randori because of my height. This is a weak excuse. Recently, I have managed to execute this throw successfully in Randori — this helps my confidence a lot and makes me realise how far I have come! It’s particularly effective if a taller Uke goes for a high collar grip.

Another new throw, after watching Winston Gordon use it with some success, is Ko Soto Gake. As it is kind of a “hug” throw, it is good at forcing me to adopt close body contact. Remember that failing to get this contact has long been a personal bugbear of mine.

In my previous post I talked about working on the “baseball choke”. I had been rotating incorrectly so it would not work. I had a chance to work on this earlier in the week (including an entry working against the turtle). Anyway, in Newaza Randori tonight I managed to get it to work a couple of times when pulling guard… remembering to swivel my whole body around really makes it come on fast and hard!

It is a bit of a “sucker” technique as it relies on Uke falling for the “trick”. Something to break out every so often. I’m not sure if I would be confident enough to try it in a competition or grading yet though!

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.

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 🙂

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…

Need More Strength (and techniques from the guard)

Training tonight I realised that I am probably the weakest guy there! Ah, the wonders of a desk job, and more importantly, having slacked off the weight training. At least the last part will soon be fixed, as per my last post.

Now, of course technique is super-important, but at the end of the day, speed, agility, strength and stamina do all come into play.

Of course, if someone is obviously stronger, attempting to meet them head-on in Newaza is silly. Using speed and grip-work is important. Again, I need to work on being faster to establish a dominant grip and then work round into a more preferable position. I will continue to beat myself up over this one!

I also would like more techniques to employ when having pulled guard. I have long legs and would really like to get Triangle Chokes to work well.

Great video on this:

Judo: Left-handed ground techniques, leg encircling guard pass and more

Training again last night. I’m still not into a proper routine as I’m not back at work yet, so I still don’t feel fit to any degree. The whole deal will kick off next Wednesday (I’m writing this to give myself precious little weasel room when that time comes).

Again, not enough movement… but at least I was trying things, even if they weren’t working out.

In Newaza, it is interesting that if I put on a left-handed hold my instincts aren’t in place, as they are for a right-handed hold. For example, assume Kesa Gatame is in place, and Uke decides to bridge. Right-handed, I have no problem posting on an arm to prevent this and slipping into a new position to compensate. Left-handed, it was if it was the first time I’ve done the hold, as I just held on for dear life until I ended up on my back…

So taking some time to drill holds left-handed would be beneficial.

I did employ the guard-pass I was shown recently, which works when Uke has not pulled you into their guard securely. It’s pretty simple: Encircle their legs with your arms (now you can see why this doesn’t work if their guard _is_ secure), bear down, then just move round at your leisure. It’s something I used to (still will?) get caught by all the time.

In Tachiwaza, there was some more crash-mat work (primarily a deep-entry Ippon Seoinage, although I worked on my left Uchi Mata as well).

Randori showed that I MUST ensure deep entry with my version of that throw. Having long legs is great for attacking from a distance, but if that distance isn’t closed quickly, I am exceptionally prone to leg-grab counters!

Pre-Christmas Judo

Well, that was the final session before Christmas. Although I am happy that this club doesn’t like having large breaks — back on the mat next week! Hmm, if I can remember which day…

Main thing I took away from Newaza was more on strangles (Finishing when hooked in from behind by exerting leverage… another way is to push own left arm deep behind the head so that Tori’s shoulder effectively works as a block).

Tachiwaza concentrated on defenses against a high collar/back grip. I liked these. A good one being to clamp down on the arm (to force to to bend, thus becoming weak), then stepping round and pulling to upset balance then throwing as appropriate. But NOT letting go into order to use BOTH hands to bend it… that would be bad.

It is important to actually PULL when stepping round. If you don’t, you just move around Uke but Uke remains nicely on-balance.

Makikomi was touched on. A throw I think would be quite good for me but needs a lot of work. It’s a hard landing. After a demo I lost the ability to see the colour blue correctly for a few moments… oops!

Pre-Christmas but a full mat!

It was the usual Tuesday session, and surprisingly (considering the run-up to Christmas) it was the busiest I have seen it for ages! Mainly because our sister club was down, so other seniors to play with.

It was a Randori-centric session, and I got a good work-out (mainly because I felt unfit and just “out of it”… I really need to push myself harder when this happens).

Some notes based on this:

Newaza:

Got some good pins on, but generally I was sluggish and not moving fast enough. A typical example was letting someone pin my arm when I was trying to take back control. Firstly, I shouldn’t have let this happen, and secondly, should have fixed the situation with movement rather than just working on force.

Got some nice sweeps to work. Again though, also got stuck underneath in a terrible stalemate (someone trying to strangle, I blocked, that’s it!). Should have used more movement to try and turn that around. Far too much strength involved, so hellooooo bicep burn!

So, the summary there (and you will see this as a regular theme in this blog), is that more movement is required.

Tachiwaza:

A little disappointed in myself. The throws I got to work were my sacrifice staples (Tani Otoshi, bastardised Yoko Otoshi, Obi Tori Gaeshi). Far too much reliance there, rather than the techniques I am trying to work on now, such as Uchi Mata, Ouchi Gari and Osoto Gari.

Why? See Newaza – just too slow, not setting up throws, not fighting for grips spiritly enough. Sluggish. I partly do this to stop getting tired but this also means I won’t get any fitter. I REALLY need to step it up a gear properly.

However, an enjoyable session, and I’ve got things to think about.

Strangle efficiency and more…

An informal session tonight, mainly due to the leisure centre playing host closing early in order for its staff to go party!

Newaza was the focus. The notes that I have taken away with me are as follows:

One of my favourite techniques when I’ve got my hooks in, and have managed to reach in for a strangle, is to roll. From here, and controlling the opponent’s position with my legs, execute the strangle (I like this position as even if a strangle fails, it is a strong position to transition into a hold from).

However, most times I have been unable to finish the strangle. As of tonight, I have managed to improve this significantly.

I was going for Kata Hajime but, stupidly, only using my right arm. While this certainly gets some leverage into the strangle, it just isn’t enough most of the time, and it can be blocked. As soon as I remembered to use my left arm to control Uke’s left arm (as in the link) everything magically worked. Key point: Use both arms to implement the strangle!

Also touched upon was Koshi Jime. This is the position I am normally in prior to establishing back control then rolling for the previous technique. However, if the planets align correctly, it is possible to execute a strangle from here. My flaw was when dropping my weight was to drop it down to the mat, instead of onto the opponent! So some pointers were received to make that work much better. Key point: Ensure weight is on opponent at all times.

In terms of passing the guard, a beautiful technique was shown to me. I’ll have to look for opportunities for it. I know these exist, as I have been suckered with this MANY a time (I strongly need to work on control in this area). Anyway, simple: Reach outside of Uke’s legs to close them, then you push your own weight on them and pass at leisure. Obviously not going to work once they have closed their guard in some form – it’s one to go for when your opponent is trying to draw you in.

Minor point on making Kami Shiho Gatame more effective: Ensure weight is bearing down on Uke’s chest/head area to immobilise. I tend to drop my hips and concentrate the weight there which is just not as good.

Some great learning in there!