Preparing for Judo

In comparison with many other sports and pastimes, Judo requires only a relatively low budget investment on the part of the beginner. Basic requirements are a judogi (suit), club or evening class environment and through that, registration with one of the organizing authorities for the sport. If insurance is not automatically available through your club membership or national body association, it is advisable to ensure that you are insured against personal injury. This should not be taken as alarming advice, but should 

Hold the belt at its center point in front of your waist

Be regarded in the same way as insuring your house: it is simply common sense. Thankfully, though very much as a result of the all concerned with the organization and practice of the sport, serious injury in Judo is not a frequent occurrence. On the subject of medical matters, it is advisable to have a check up with your doctor before taking up Judo, especially if you have not under taken any strenuous physical exercise for a long while.

Pass the ends around your back and forward again to the front,
 ensuring that both ends are of equal length

Most instructors will allow beginners to practice for the first few weeks wearing only a tracksuit or any strong, loose clothing without buttons before investing in a judogi. Judogi is the collective term for the jacket, trousers and belt. The trousers are held up by tie string drawn through the back of the waistband and bow tied at the front. Both male and female players wear jackets in the same manner: first push the right side of the jacket firmly across to the left hip, then draw the left side over the top towards the right hip. The midpoint of the belt is held against the center abdomen at waist height and drawn twice around the body to be tied at the front in a flat reef knot with ends of equal length. Female players wear a standard white T-shirt beneath jacket.

Pass one end under both bands of the belt and pull tight

Males are also some times allowed for either health or climatic conditions to do this, with the special permission must be sought by both sexes for the wearing of socks on the mat, which also might be necessary for reasons of health or climate. Most players wear ordinary trainers or slip on shoes when away from the mat area itself, while others invest in the traditional flat sandal. Whatever footwear you choose, you must be able to slip it off easily; this is best performed by standing with your back to the mat, heels almost touching its edge, so that you step backwards out your shoes, one foot at a time, directly onto the mat. Coming off the mat, you simply step straight into your shoes again.

Finish off the tie with right over left to form a reef knot, making sure that it is flat