Introduction

The martial art of Judo has been structured as a combative sport, making it possible for individuals to employ their fighting skills, one against the other, in either free practice or contest situations. Unlike some other martial art forms, Judo as a sport is confined by rules to the use of throws, hold downs, straggles and arm locks. All can be freely and fully applied by the Tori (attacker) upon the Uke (defender), who learns to nullify or counter them by correct break falling, escapes or, as a last resort, timely and safe blows with the hand, arm or fist, are not allowed in the interest of safety from injury.

However, many of the more injurious and deadly techniques that are applied with foot and fist, so flamboyantly portrayed in Karate and Kung Fu martial arts films, can be learned by the judoka (judo player) who chooses to study the Judo katas under the guidance of a senior instructor. Perhaps in today’s violent climate, Judo may have sold itself short (not that it needs to sell anything) in preferring to lay the emphasis of its art upon the manner in which it can be performed and enjoyed as a sport. But, make no mistake about it; an experienced judoka who is proficient in all aspects of his chosen martial art is a formidable and spectacular opponent for anyone.

Judo is practiced (or studied) by men and women, boys and girls; sometimes even whole families become involved in the sport. To whatever association or governing body any particular Judo club belongs, there is generally a trading syllabus and progressive grading examinations set down for males and females at both junior and senior levels. This enables the successful students to progress upwards through the Kyu (student) grades of white, yellow, orange, green, blue and brown belts up to the coveted black belt of a 1^st Dan and beyond.

Provided that any aspiring Judo player is reasonably fit and healthy there is little to prevent him or her from taking up the sport. Naturally, it is advisable for a beginner taking up strenuous pastimes of any sort to get a clean bill of health from their doctor beforehand. This applies particularly to people who have not been active in a sport of any kind for some time, and who are perhaps not quite as young as they once were.

Age in itself, however, presents no barriers to the healthy person wishing to play Judo. Many beginners come into the sport when they are already in their vintage years as far a competitive sport is concerned. Such judoka may not be potential gold medalists, but many prove capable of working diligently through their syllabus to emerge eventually as high Kyu or even Dan grades. Whatever they achieve, they bring a welcome element of maturity into the clubs. They become capable of providing hard practice sessions for up and coming youngsters and are eligible to serve the sport in general as administers, instructors, referees and officials of one sort of another.

For all these reasons, a Judo career can be long and enjoyable; particularly for those who remain fit enough to continue with even a small amount of randori after their contest days are over. Such mat veterans often prove that their mature patience and skill can overcome the exuberance of younger players – running out of good old fashioned breath is usually the main handicap of the older player.

On the subject of handicaps, I have known blind students who have progressed reasonably well through the Kyu grades to probe themselves worthy opponents, especially when grappling on the ground, where stability and balance are not so crucial. Deaf players, too, does as well as anyone else, provided that those responsible for the mat upon which they appear are always first made aware of their handicap. Both judoka and official must recognize the need for the deaf player’s immediate response to firm body slaps which have to replace vocal commands to freeze or stop and withdraw from any action. At what age can youngsters take up Judo? Junior’s players are usually accepted into clubs from the age of six years upwards. They become seniors around the age of sixteen. Players usually peak around their mid twenties and might then retain that standard of performance for the next ten years. Between about thirty five and forty five years of age players acquire technical maturity. After that age a natural decline in speed, suppleness and stamina follows, but not necessarily of pure skill. With continued practice, the latter should always remain. Such then, are the sort of people who practice Judo and who are always welcome to the ranks of our beginners from all walks of life. It is probably true to say that in no other fiercely competitive sport do those who are already experienced or accomplished display such endless patience and perseverance in helping and teaching those of lower grades. Perhaps it is because the longer you are in Judo, the more you realize just how much can still be learned and not only from grades senior to your own. A sensei (teacher) may have no prouder or more fulfilling moment than when a student reaches or even surpasses his or her own level of qualification.

Nevertheless, students themselves must also display determination and discipline in order to bring this about. Not everyone taking up Judo is, or need to be, contest minded. Provided that a judoka takes the sporty itself seriously, he or she will be coached and encouraged with equal enthusiasm whether they want to complete or do no more than make progress through the grading. What a student cannot do is to take Judo too casually. It’s to a sport which you can turn to only spasmodically because you feel that there’s no real teamwork involved and therefore you won’t be letting anyone down by your absence. You will: you will be letting yourself down. Progress in Judo is slow and hard. To slip back is quick and easy, and then no one derives and benefit from your unfit, unskilled appearances on the mat. Assuming that you have decided to take up the sport of Judo, the first thing is to enquire about tutorial and training facilities in your area. There is nothing wrong with evening classes run by local authorities if you want a ‘sampler’ before going in for the real thing. However, if you wish to savor the real atmosphere of the sport, to experience competitive bite, and to be able to meet and talk Judo with other judoka at all levels as well as benefiting from their varied experience, there is no substitute for a club.

This book explains all the techniques needed to progress through all the grades from beginner to black belt. Whilst there may be differences of technique and particular syllabus requirements between different clubs and associations, what is common is the Japanese language of Judo which, like it or not, must be learned. One benefit of this is that you can walk into any Judo club anywhere in the world and communicate successfully, for the sport’s language is universal.

Individual techniques are also common, but there always have been and always will be slight differences in the exact manner in which their application is taught regardless of the teacher’s governing body. So, please don’t argue too much with your club’s sensei or with this book if someone else’s method of applying a particular technique differs from mine I have attempted in this book to present each technique as I would to students in a class. Photographs demonstrate the key movements in a technique, each with a descriptive caption. Some general information is given about the technique itself and then special coaching points to which you should pay particular attention.

No book can ever replace personal tuition from a sensei in the dojo (practice hall), though it obis my hope that the effort that has gone into the preparation of this volume will provide both an armchair manual of revision for students and a mat side reference for those working on the development of particular techniques. A word of warning to beginners – never attempt the dangerous practice of trying things out on your own with a partner but minus a mat and a qualified instructor. It may be all right later o when you are experienced perhaps, but it should certainly not be tried to begin with. Finally, I wish you all a long and enjoyable career in Judo. Work hard and the rewards will come.

 Written by                                                   Brian Caffary (4th  ... Dan)