judo advice

[nismophreek]

Hey, I have a question for all you judo players on here. I do BJJ (amongst other arts), but I am always searching for more techniques to add to my game. I would really love to learn more throws from Judo. Here is the problem, there are no judo schools around here. Is there anything that I could do on my own to pick up on how to do these throws. I would have willing uki at the school i just don't have an information source for these throws. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a great weekend.

[wildwills]

I know what you mean. I had trouble finding a Judo club to train at. I tried the phone book and the web but didn't find anything at first.

I eventually found a club at a YMCA by emailing the USJA and USJF. The USJA was able to point me towards YMCA Judo club I currently train at.

You can find the links for the USJA and USJF by going to www.judoinfo.com and going to their "Links" page.

Hope that helps and good luck.

[Abbax8]

There are video tapes of throws but learning from video is third rate at best. The safety factor can be huge (uke's as well as tori's).I know there are summer camps held Virginia, there are clinics in soutern Maryland and camps in North Carolina. One week at camp would equal 100's of hours of video. The USJA webite as well as the tournament trhead here will provide you a good place to start, look under judo, it's at the top as it's a sticky.

Peace

Dennis

[Jeff C.]

Chris, surely your BJJ instructor knows a number of "judo" throws?

Jeff Cook

[nismophreek]

our bjj curriculum has limited numbers of throws. I have discussed this with him. I want to learn more in depth judo throws not just the same stuff we cover. I'm always on a quest to learn more I guess.

[AndrewSimonsen]

Are you near Chesapeake?

[Jeff C.]

our bjj curriculum has limited numbers of throws. I have discussed this with him. I want to learn more in depth judo throws not just the same stuff we cover. I'm always on a quest to learn more I guess.

Good luck Chris. I wish I could help you out.

Jeff Cook

[Webmaster]

Chris:

First, learning the throws by means of a video tape or website is nonsense. You need to learn them first hand with a qualified instructor. Of course you know this, but I want to reiterate it for the benefit of others, and to emphasize the safety factor. Contacting the USJA would probably be your best bet, but also be sure to look at the USJF and USJI.

Second, why do you want to learn Judo throws? Are you planning on competing in Judo? If not, then what is the point? BJJ, unlike Judo does not reward a person (with points or victory) based on throws, but by submission. Judo's emphasis on throws is because the rules are such that you can win the match instantly by execution of a good throw. Not so with BJJ. If you are wanting to help your BJJ game, it would seem to me that wrestling type takedowns would be preferable.

[Jeff C.]

Robert, there are some excellent reasons for BJJ folks to learn judo skills.

1. You get two points for a take-down. Many BJJr's are quite vulnerable to many classic judo throws.

2. When you learn the throws, you learn how to avoid the throws. You also learn how to capitalize on the throw by positioning yourself while being thrown so as to lock in a submission at the end of the throw. I have been working with a top-notch BJJ competitor on this, and it is working great for his fight game.

3. If a BJJr wants to practice BJJ as it was originally taught, they will be doing a lot more judo-style throws than what is seen in a lot of current BJJ schools. Pick up any "story of the Gracies" book and you will see the old men practicing throws such as harai goshi, hane goshi, uchimata, tai otoshi, etc.

Jeff Cook

[starkjudo]

I can think of one more reason to learn judo throws..

3. You get addicted to how wonderful Judo really is :)

[nismophreek]

I want to learn Judo throws not for the sake of making me a better BJJ player but to make me a more well rounded martial artist period. Our school is based a lot on the competitive BJJ/MMA type training. I'm not knocking that, I just view myself as a martial ARTIST not just a fighter. That view is hard to get across to some of my fellow students. I value the entire martial arts experience, not just how fast I can knockout or submit someone.

Also. I did find a judo school in Charlottesville which is about an hour from here. I may see if he could do a private here and there. http://www.ssjjudo.com/

[Webmaster]

1. You get two points for a take-down.
I didn't know this. Thanks for the insight. You still cannot win the match outright with a throw, and thus the deemphasis on throwing. Maybe the rules need to be modified to reemphasis throwing as was the case with the original Gracie Jujitsu. Then again, that would just mean they are doing Judo. ;)

[Webmaster]

I want to learn Judo throws not for the sake of making me a better BJJ player but to make me a more well rounded martial artist period. Our school is based a lot on the competitive BJJ/MMA type training. I'm not knocking that, I just view myself as a martial ARTIST not just a fighter. That view is hard to get across to some of my fellow students. I value the entire martial arts experience, not just how fast I can knockout or submit someone.

Also. I did find a judo school in Charlottesville which is about an hour from here. I may see if he could do a private here and there. http://www.ssjjudo.com/
Good answer and glad to see that you are willing to expand your knowledge for all of the right reasons!

Good luck with your training. Who knows, maybe you will get hooked on Judo now!

[starkjudo]

Akari Judo (http://www.akarijudo.com) in Richmond might be able to help you.

[Jeff C.]

Robert, I like to think that when I do BJJ I AM doing judo. ;) Chris, that is a great attitude to have!

Jeff Cook

[Webmaster]

Robert, I like to think that when I do BJJ I AM doing judo. ;)
Except that your judogi has more patches and decorations than what the NASCAR guys wear. Got cha!

[nismophreek]

*clears throat* note avatar. The only thing on my dogi is one logo embroidered on each shoulder. I hate advertising gis.

[Webmaster]

*clears throat* note avatar. The only thing on my dogi is one logo embroidered on each shoulder. I hate advertising gis.
So you are one with a little taste. ;)

I'm just teasing! :D

[nismophreek]

I know you are just teasing. It cracks me up reading the badgering between the Judoka and BJJ guys about their gis. I really enjoy this forum. I had a rough experience in the beginning but I have learned to lighten up and take everything for what it is. Thank you everyone for being so accepting of me.

[TonyU]

I know you are just teasing. It cracks me up reading the badgering between the Judoka and BJJ guys about their gis. I really enjoy this forum. I had a rough experience in the beginning but I have learned to lighten up and take everything for what it is. Thank you everyone for being so accepting of me.
Many of us are just trying give the appropriate advice on things that we have seen through the years that fail or make a mockery of the arts. May of us here including the moderators have over 20 years of training and we take it seriously. Sometime we come across as harsh, but believe me not with malice.
And then there are time we're just having fun. :)
Good luck.

[Jeff C.]

Chris, Robert just can't stand the fact that I am a judoka, a BJJ player, and a classical jujitsu guy too. :D

Robert, the last time you saw me in person on the mat I was wearing a judogi, remember? When in Rome.... I think I did wear a BJJ gi to the last seminar/class Bruce gave us down here in Florida last year - just to annoy him of course. ;)

Jeff Cook

[nismophreek]

I almost forgot about another Judo school around here. It is about an hour away in Roanoke. The Judo instructor is Gus Garper, 7th dan, student of Ishikawa. I would love to train under him but I talked to him a few months ago and he said that he would not do privates and I don't have the time to go there during the week due to my other training. I guess I'll figure something out.

[starkjudo]

Gus is good. Where in VA are you?

[Abbax8]

I have worked with Gus at clinics, he is fun, informative and good at what he does.

Peace

Dennis

[nismophreek]

I'm in Lynchburg.

[AndrewSimonsen]

I think Liberty has a Judo club that meets in the old wrestling room at 8:00 on Saturdays, it should be possible for someone outside the university to join though I can't say for sure.

[nismophreek]

Andrew, Liberty has a bjj club but I don't think they have a judo club. I would love to get a judoka in to do a seminar but my instructor hasn't seemed to do anything about it. So which one of you budoseek judoka wants to teach me.......for free. :D

[wildwills]

[QUOTE=wildwills]You can find the links for the USJA and USJF by going to www.judoinfo.com and going to their "Links" page.
QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Chris McLean]Here is a great source of information on the subject.
http://www.judoinfo.com/ QUOTE]

See Chris....great minds think alike....:laugh:

[wildwills]

Hey Chris...If you can't find a Judo club/dojo nearby, how about a Danzan Ryu dojo or club? I'm not 100% sure, but I think DZR has the original 40 Kodokan Judo throws (Gokyo no Waza) in its syllabus. So, maybe you could try and find a DZR place.

http://www.danzan.com/

[nismophreek]

The website that you linked me to says that the closest Danzan Ryu school is also about an hour away. I really want to train under Gus Carper, he just refuses to do privates and I can't go during the week. I'm probably going to give that school in Charlottesville a call and talk to their instructor because they have a class on Saturdays. I would like to work with someone maybe a couple of saturdays a month.

[Sensei Tom O'Bri]

Hello everyone,

My main style is Vee-Jitsu. We do a lot of things besides judo but I love the judo part of our training. When a good judoka gets his hands on you they will turn you every which way but loose. A lot of people don't realize how rough the 'gentle way' is. Just try doing some ronduri for a few minutes. Anyway, we all know there is no substitute for a good sensei but there are 2 good books I would reccomend: 'The Sport of Judo' by Kobayashi & Sharp and 'The Techniques of Judo' by Takagaki & Sharp. They are not expensive, good illustrations and easy reading.
Thanks,
Sensei Tom

[nismophreek]

Quick question. Do you think it would be advisable to try and teach myself. Now hear me out. I have jigoro kano's Kodokan judo, which in my opinion is like the Judo Bible. I was wondering if one could use the information in that text and learn from it. I'm not new to the martial arts, and am pretty good at interepreting directions. I was thinking of isolating just 1 throw at a time. Studying it in both in written and video form, and isolating the mechanics of the technique with a partner until that throw is flowing. After about 3 or 4 throws I would like to get a check up of my progress by a Judo instructor or black belt. Feasible or scrap the idea?? Please give me your opinion. I'm really trying to supplement my Martial arts here guys the best way I can.

[TonyU]

Quick question. Do you think it would be advisable to try and teach myself. Now hear me out. I have jigoro kano's Kodokan judo, which in my opinion is like the Judo Bible. I was wondering if one could use the information in that text and learn from it. I'm not new to the martial arts, and am pretty good at interepreting directions. I was thinking of isolating just 1 throw at a time. Studying it in both in written and video form, and isolating the mechanics of the technique with a partner until that throw is flowing. After about 3 or 4 throws I would like to get a check up of my progress by a Judo instructor or black belt. Feasible or scrap the idea?? Please give me your opinion. I'm really trying to supplement my Martial arts here guys the best way I can.
In one word, NO!

[starkjudo]

Quick question. Do you think it would be advisable to try and teach myself. Now hear me out. I have jigoro kano's Kodokan judo, which in my opinion is like the Judo Bible. I was wondering if one could use the information in that text and learn from it. I'm not new to the martial arts, and am pretty good at interepreting directions. I was thinking of isolating just 1 throw at a time. Studying it in both in written and video form, and isolating the mechanics of the technique with a partner until that throw is flowing. After about 3 or 4 throws I would like to get a check up of my progress by a Judo instructor or black belt. Feasible or scrap the idea?? Please give me your opinion. I'm really trying to supplement my Martial arts here guys the best way I can.

I think you will have a lot better luck and more return on your time if you can find a sensei who will give you at least one or two hours a month, to take some throws back with you and practice.

[JiuJitsuRabbit]

I've found that most BJJ instructors at least know or are familiar with the 67 throws. I simply find out what thier favorite combos are and work those. I also just happen to be lucky enough to have 3 or 4 shodans in my BJJ class. Ask around your current gym find out if there is anyone with the skill set local to you and take some mat time after class to practice.

I also focus on 2 or 3 different combinations and have been working on those to perfection. Not that I am anywhere near even proficient yet :laugh:

[Matthew Jones]

The problem with teaching throws to yourself, even if you have a partner to practice your throws on, is that there is a massive divide between the ability to do a throw in a drill and doing it in randori.

A student can "learn" O-goshi in a couple weeks if it is taught by a qualified instructor, but it will be years of very regular randori practice before the student can pull it off on a consistant basis.

For the time being I suggest that you avoid trying to learn throws as you are likely to just develop bad habits and little to none actual ability.

[nismophreek]

thanks for the input guys. I'll just put it on the back burner until I can find a qualified Judoka to train with. The last thing I want to do is to have to unbreak bad habits.

[Abbax8]

If regular access to a judo teacher is the problem, take advantage of the various camps and clinics that happen during the summer months.

Peace

Dennis

[Rich]

Travel to the nearest judo club, attend a judo camp or move to Japan and train at the Kodokan for a year or two. If you really want to learn, you'll find a way.:D

[nismophreek]

I have located an instructor somewhat close to me (1 hour) that is instructing on Saturdays. I spoke with him and he said that he is interested in meeting me and seeing if we can work something out with training. His name is Gene Shin, 5th dan, and he is located in Charlottesville, VA. His website is ssjjudo.com. He is also a previous Senior Nationals champ. I am excited about the possibility of getting to learn and train judo. Hopefully this will work out.

[Rich]

It sounds like you've found a very accomplished instructor. Good luck with your training.