Etiquette and Discipline

The term dojo (practice hall) is reputedly derived from an old Buddhist phrase meaning ‘hall of enlightenment’. It is a place in which Judo is taught and practiced and in which contests, training sessions and demonstrations (kata) take place. Wherever it is situated, however modestly or richly it is equipped, it is the place around which your Judo life will revolve throughout your connection with the sport. A club dojo can be sited in any type of premises. Some are in a modest church hall, others in a modern sports complex. The location is immaterial so long as the area is large enough to accommodate the required numbers of members, and they can practice and break fall in safety. Every Judo dojo has its tatami (mat) spread over the floor to absorb the impact of falling bodies. The dojo is swept clean and should have an atmosphere of respect in order to stimulate the dedication and discipline demanded of the players. Initially this respect is shown by all judoka performing ritsurei (standing bow) towards the dojo when entering or leaving it or towards the sensei when stepping on to or off the mat.

Stand relaxed, feet together, arms by your sides with hands on thighs

At no time must a juduka (or anyone else) walk upon the mat unless his or her feet are bare. Health and climate reasons for waiving this rule have already been referred to and of course, officials are permitted to wear socks at competitions and grading. Once upon the mat, a judoka is expected to perform ritsu-rei when requesting the sensei’s permission to leave or come back on to it, and before and after addressing the sensei for any other reason. Similarly, partners perform ritsu-rei to each other before and after a practice or working together or during the performance of kata (demonstration).

Form this posture perform ritsu-rei (standing bow) by dipping the top your body slightly forwarded from the waist without from the waist without removing your eyes from the subject of salutation, and then return immediately to a normal upright posture. Don’t dip too deeply and don’t look down at the mat

These rules apply unless, of course, players are involved in ground work, In which case they perform za-rei (kneeing bow). It is customary and respectful apart from reasons of basic hygiene, for all judoka to present them on the mat wearing a clean judogi, to be bodily clean and to have both fingernails and toenails neatly trimmed short. Long or jagged nails can be the cause of self injury as well as harming an opponent. For similar reasons of safety, players must remove all types of jewelry before stepping on to the mat – rings, necklaces, bracelets, wrist watches, hair clips and slides, and any other type of adornment that could scratch or tear skin or be the cause of any sort of injury. Long hair, on male or female, is usually tied back and held in place by any sort of elasticized grip.

The sensei kneels opposite his students to exchange za-rei (kneeling bow). they all lean forward to place their left hand flat on the mat just to the right of the left knee, fingers pointing inwards. The right hand is similarly placed to the left of the right knees as the students simultaneously bend forward to full za-rei. The sensei’s feet are correctly placed, one overlapping the other. All return to the upright position.

Satisfied that you are properly presented, your sensei will then direct you through the bowing on ceremony which precedes any gathering on the mat. (It is repeated at the end of the gathering when it is referred to as bowing off.) This brief ceremonial is an exchange of respect between the sensei and his students. Students (Kyu grades) are ranged in order of grade seniority from their left, beginning with the highest, as they face the sensei (and any other Dan grade or guest) on the opposite side of the mat. The side of the dojo on which the students stand along the mat is called shimoza and the side upon which the sensei and others appear is called kamiza. On the sensei’s command, ‘sei-za’, both he and his students will kneel. On a command from the senior Kyu grade on the extreme left of the line as it faces the sensei, all the students will perform za-rei (kneeling bow) towards the sensei who simultaneously reciprocates. From then on, students must continue to show respect for the sensei by responding to is tutoring and disciplined. It goes without saying that fooling around on a Judo mat is dangerous and is not allowed. Practice only that which you have been taught. Maintain as much silence as possible. Silence is not only an aid to concentration, but it also enables everyone to hear and react instantly to the sensei’s commands and instructions.

Dropping first on to his left knee, his left hand by his left side and his right hand on his right knee. Next, the right knee is dropped and the right and dropped and the right hand drop to the right side. Finally, he sits back on the heels of his crossed feet, hands on top of his thighs. Note how the top part of his body remains upright throughout the movement. The whole movement will be performed in exact reverse order when rising.

Concerning the latter, it is important to learn two Japanese words you will hear often and which you must understand – hajime (begin) and matte (stop). To either command students must show immediate response regardless of what or where they are practicing on the mat. When it comes to practice, any judoka should regard it as an honor to be invited to work with a player of higher grade. Higher grades are almost without exception well versed in the etiquette of teaching lower grades without taking advantage of their comparative inexperience. All the above points provide a basis for good Judo etiquette and self discipline in the dojo.