Tag: Judo

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.

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!

The importance of crash mats

After hardening my arteries with the likes of goose, chocolate and whisky (I pretty much only ever have the latter two at Christmas, I am good most of the time, just don’t mention the pizza!), I was extremely glad that there was a Judo session session last night.

The majority of it was spent on pure technique on the crash mats. It has been a long time since I can remember doing as much as this, and I feel so much better for it. Continously taking turns to work on throws, but with the ability to do it with full commitment (including “going to ground”) without hurting someone.

You see, one problem I have is not completing forward throws: Making the entry, then pretty much forgetting kuzushi and wondering why nothing happens! Back in the day I could never complete Ippon Seoinage for just this reason: I’d have Uke loaded onto my back, but would be forgetting to turn to complete the throw.

Full-commitment crash mat work helps get over this mental barrier of only doing half of the throw.

Thinking about it, this is partly why I have such success with sacrifice techniques: The sacrifice element is the full commitment! And I am very comfortable with doing that. It will be golden when I get to the same place with forward techniques.

Two techniques were highlighted. One being to take a cross-sleeve grip, then just use that to attempt a forward throw (such as Tai Otoshi. For Uke, it doesn’t necessarily feel threatening so could be successful.

It reminds me a little of a version of Sasae Tsuri Komi Ashi that I do: Just take the sleeve grip and go for it! Again, very much works on the element of surprise, but even if Uke is only shocked into imbalance it is a good set-up for another throw.

The second technique was taking a dominant back grip, then as Uke attempts to rise, let them, and at the same time use your free hand to grab their leg and commit to taking them to the ground. Because of my height, I don’t tend to go for leg grabs much, but this one felt very natural so I will give it a spin. I do Sumi Gaeshi from the same grip, so it is nice to have both directions covered…

A final thing to mention is an element of the Randori afterwards. I am impressed at this club at the sheer determination of the Juniors when sparring with me (I.e. someone who is 2-3 times their weight!). They just don’t give up and try technique after technique. I need to strongly try and develop that attitude when paired with those heavier than me, or a higher grade, or both!

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!

The World of Judo Magazine folds

The BJA have announced that The World of Judo Magazine has ceased publication.

The BJA handle some of the logistics of the maagzine, such as subscriptions, and there is no official reason given on the magazine’s website itself.

However, Bob Willingham (Editor) did put the reasons in the final issue. Some choice quotes follow:

… since the start of Matside [BJA’s own magazine] I have not been volunteered a single news item from the BJA HQ. I actually feel it is a case of HQ ‘working to rule’ and waiting for me to run out of steam. I strongly feel that you are no longer going to get a quality judo magazine of international standard as the support for me is no longer there from the BJA…..despite my considerabke support for Densign White through TWOJ he has done nothing to support or promote the magazine in the last few years

The second major problem in publishing is that I am no longer the Official Photographer for the IJF.

The second quote was accompanied by a very snippy email snippet (“..I consider that our common work in the future is finished..”) from the President of the International Judo Federation.

This is a great shame. I had only just subscribed to the magazine so the final issue is the only one I have seen, but it had a lot of good content and fantastic pictures. I can see why subscriber numbers dropped (Why would BJA members pay extra for it when they get a freebie magazine with their membership?) and I had done just this for the first few years.

There is some further discussion on the BJA forums as well as on The Judo Forum.

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!

Winding up for Christmas

It’s that time of year when Judo winds down a bit. People stop training due to the temptation of mince pies, and clubs close until the New Year.

It was hard to leave the house now that the heating is back, but I went along last night to a club I rarely get the chance to visit.

It was a great session. Constant activity throughout, and a good combination of static and moving Uchikomi, fitness and Randori. I think it was the energising sort of session that I needed. There wasn’t any technique training, but you pick up a LOT by working with higher grades, and there were a fair number present.

It was very cool for there to be a genuine cage fighter present – Gary Turner. And he is probably one of the nicest, down to earth and helpful people I have met in the sport. I have recently switched to more Judo-oriented fitness training (such as Interval training and weight movements which mimic those of Judo), and he has a lot of experience and recommendations in this area.

In particular, I should be looking a little into Tabata.

My current aim is to focus on conditioning as opposed to strength (I am carrying too much useless weight right now). A loss of 10kg should fix it, nothing major. I rarely think to myself, “I did badly because I’m not strong enough”. It’s getting tired and technique that lets me down.

Working on these should also increase my speed, as I am too static sometimes.