How long before first competition?

[MMAfighter]

Well thing is the first judo competition is january 29, and i'm just wondering should i go to that one? I want to but i only got a little over a month to train. One of my friends tell me sinc eit's my first time i should just go for it anyways....but i wanna win hehe, doesn;t even have to be the whole competition just at least one win. but if i could win the tourney it wold be sweet :D

[jwinch2]

Talk with your instructor. Since you just had your first lesson last week he or she will have a much better idea if the competition you are referring to is a good one for beginners to compete or if you would be better off observing and trying to learn...

Later,

Jason

[Webmaster]

Jason is correct, talk with your instructor. He might decline to send you for if anything, safety. Your ukemi might not be up to par yet, or if they don't make some division for rank, you might end up fighting some salty brown belt in your first match. Oh, and it is at your age that the fighters start to get really good and know their stuff. So don't get in a hurry just yet and let your sensei decide when you are ready.

[MMAfighter]

ok, I'll do that

[starkjudo]

Go watch, pay attention to the rules. Actually seeing a few competition matches first helps a lot in having some idea of what is going on.

[Rich]

Justin. You need to find out what kind of competition it is. Is it age banded? Weight banded? Grade banded? You don't want to step into an open weight competition. As others have said, check it out with your coach.

If it is banded by weight and grade (usually two groups, 2nd kyu and below and then 1st kyu and above split into weight classes) then maybe just go as a spectator. If it's a grading tournament, banded by grade (and sizing-up by eye) then go for it because you'll be up againt other beginners.

In terms of wanting to win/fear of losing that's a different matter. In order to win, you must have no fear or concern of losing. If you're worried about losing and how to defend then I guarantee you'll lose. Your only thought should be attack - and attack with full committment. Don't half enter for fear of being countered. When you attack do so with total committment and in your mind know you're going to throw him.

More tournament advice is try to make sure you go with someone from your club so you can warm up together before your fight.

Lastly, if you do go, have fun and good luck!

Richard

[Webmaster]

As others have said, check it out with your coach.

Oh, I hate that word when referring to a Judo sensei.

[Abbax8]

I agree with the "Ask your sensei" advice. I remember when I was 16. We did not have matches, we had wars on the mat that lasted for about 4 to 5 minutes. A new judoka needs self preservation skills at the least, and only your instructor knows if your ready.

Peace

Dennis

[Abbax8]

1) Have FUN!
2) Do your Best!
3) Learn Something!

Peace

Dennis

[Rich]

Oh, I hate that word when referring to a Judo sensei.

I understand you're a traditionalist Robert but it sounds like the guy is interested in competition which means "Sport Judo".

I think that when you prepare someone for competition you're coaching and have your "coach" hat on. You're going to teach them how to work the corner/red zone, wind your opponant up through penalties and all the rules. You're also going to emphasise "competition techniques" such as hopping O soto gari etc. Advising about making weight, strength training and good nutrition etc is pure coaching.

Come to think of it, I only used the term "sensei" when I was in Japan. All the time I trained in the UK I always called my instructor by his first name.

Richard

[WhiteBeltJones]

Oh, I hate that word when referring to a Judo sensei.

I thought "coach" and "sensei" were two different things in Judo. Isn't there a distinction made between coaching and teaching?

[starkjudo]

I thought "coach" and "sensei" were two different things in Judo. Isn't there a distinction made between coaching and teaching?

Yes and No. The word "Coach" is used more often in some clubs that are pure sport Judo. Sensei, of course, is used in more traditional dojos. One's mostly concerned with building a better athlete, where the Sensei is a little more with the whole of the art and self-defense, character, attitude, etc.

The one sad truth of Judo is that it is two separate ideas in bond to a common style. The strength of Judo is that it can be many different things to many different people. The weakness comes from the fact that, organizationally, national-level politics often tries to drive the local clubs, instead of the other way around. Most clubs you'll find either have a strong grounding in traditional or sport. It's a little harder to find one that is both.