I just had my first Judo lesson...

[Grei]

And I'm very impressed... I think I'm going to stick with it...

I like how the training at this place I found goes for instance, over the striking arts I've looked into (though it wasn't as awesomely intense as my kung fu lessons were)... sticking me right into the rough of fight off the bat without an oppurtunity to stand off to the side, but guiding me along the way. Which makes it kinda frusterating for me... haven't done much (ie: Any) grappling before now... there's a lot to absorb. I think the other members of the class/instructors must think I'm a moron... But I already learned a lot.

For instance how much fun being thrown is.

(I know that's not where I'm supposed to end up... but what can I say?)

Another part I really liked was a section where we were supposed to do anything we could to pin the opponent. I actually didn't do horrible against most of guys... which really surprised me... (all though I really had to work to figure my way out of that guard thing where they wrapped their legs around me.)

Surprisingly I'm not as tired as I would have expected myself to be when all was said and done... thighs are a bit sore but...

I have a question though... aren't there strikes in Judo? I thought I read something that there were before... but there didn't seem to be any here. Maybe they're just not practiced much. which would make sense, really.

It was cool, they were all really laid back... it fits my own personality fairly well.


Anyways... as my schedule doesn't let me go more than once a week... does anyone know any advice for some excercises I can do on my own?

[WhiteBeltJones]

Judo has a school of strikes called atemi-waza. However, they are not legal in competition, nor allowed in randori. They are retained in some of the katas.

If your school teaches them at all, don't expect to learn 'em before blackbelt.

[James O'Neill]

Glad you liked it dude - and welcome to the grappling arts!

As far as excercizes go, the better your overall conditioning the better off you will be. However, their are certain excercizes that will specifically aid you in grappling that I would work on: Squats - body weight type, using free weights or even doing them with a buddy on your back - whichever way(s) you do them they will help you allot. Abdominal work - don't forget to work the back when you do these too - gotta work both sides - so crunches & bridging excercizes are another winner for enhancing your grappling. Last but not least, I would highly recomend some form of intense stretching excercizes. Your Judo class has probably got a set routine but if not, Yoga or even Pillates (sp?) would help you IMO.

So in other words, powerful legs & core strength are mucho important as is excellent flexibility. Anything you can do to improve in these areas will help your grappling.

Train hard & good luck!

[Grei]

I actually did pilates a couple of semesters ago... it was pretty cool, albeit now I get annoyed at a lot of the commercialized stuff out there that gets it wrong... (not that all of it does, but there are minor details that they tend to miss... but maybe I'm just being crotchety/cantankerous..)

Thanks for the info everyone.

One more question... what are bridging excercizes? I think I get the idea, but I want to be sure.

[Rich]

Hi David

I agree with everything James said. I have found doing yoga really helps. Flexibility and suppleness are very important to performing a technique properly AND for avoiding injury.

In terms of other exercises you can do at home, I like to do judo specific exercises. Practice your kuzushi by doing lots of uchikomi with dumbells. It really builds up the specific muscle groups needed for the particular technique you're practicing. *Tip: start off slow and get the form right, then speed up.

Hope that helps! :D

[Budoka34]

David,

Congrats!

Judo can be wonderful.

I like to work entries (tsukuri) with an obi or even stretch band around our focus masters.
Working throws, Ogoshi, HanOtoshi, koshiguruma, etc. with a heavy bag will help with proper entry, speed and strength. If it feels like your using your arms to much, then slow down and work the entries.

Grip work can be great fun. I have a big wooden handel from a log hook I use to build wrist strength and flexabilty.

Twisting a towel or doing towel pull ups helps as well.

As was said before core strength is a must.

Have fun with it I know I do..... :D