I was doing Ne Waza with my partner and she flipped me over while I was trying to obtain arm bar on her. I was so amazed I instinctively yelled at her for how good it was, she was startled and we had a good laugh about it.

Felt like sharing this as it was at a multi-dojo training session my sensei organised with other colleagues.

I lost a this exact belt that I won when I was younger I really like it and wanted to use it for making a proper belt but I can’t find a supplier that still sells them I’d pay 40€

Hello everyone,

Looking for advice on how to be more aggressive or suggestions on when to be aggressive during competition or Randori.

I catch myself being too reactive and not looking for what I want to set up and throw just reacting to their movement and going from there.

I am new to Judo and almost 40 years old.. Just got my orange belt. I have done two local competitions and want to compete more if possible.

Thank you for any advice.

Any one have good ko uchi makkomi demonstration video?

I really don’t understand how to perform this throw. Even nagekomis feels awkward and lack of power.

The first portrait I did of Kano was a bit too large to be practical at my judo club. It's in a community center and there weren't many good places to hang it. I made this smaller 9x12 pencil portrait that we can put away and pull out easier during class. The first was the iconic portrait and very stoic. I was glad to find a photo of him smiling.

Slowly looking into the 5 different place in and around my town and completely new to judo just wondering if there's any specific red flags or federation associations I should keep an eye out for.

I have a wrestling background but have also done a decent bit of no gi bjj. I was feeling like trying somthing different and since I enjoy the standing takedown aspects of grappling more then just the ground I've been considering judo since it's avaliable in the area based on my understanding of the sport

BJJ Blue Belt, 6ft, 250 lbs. Right Side Dominant.

I have a “short” list of Judo Throws that I’m always tinkering with/testing/trying to narrow down.

I’ve spent the past few months trying Kosoto Gari and found my balance to be off when attempting to reap Uke’s leg.

When I’m close range, I prefer Kosoto Gake, which is much easier to enter for me for a number of reasons.

When I’m long range due to Uke not wanting to engage (which is often the case due to my size disparity against smaller partners), I found much more success using Hiza Guruma—it instantly clicked for me.

So while I tried Kosoto Gari and definitely didn’t come close to “mastery”, I took it off of my short list and continued to keep Hiza Guruma.

I think ultimately I like throws that fit the following criteria:

1. They look cool
2. They are fun to attempt/execute
3. They feel natural
4. I don’t abandon them when I have a failed attempt
5. They fit one of my preferred engagement ranges
6. I can execute other throws from the same setups
7. They lead into follow up throws on my short list

How do you find your short list of throws?

What criteria do you have?

What types of throws do you prefer and why?

Do you ever pick up old throws again? How did that turn out?

My goal is to narrow my short list further and focus on mastering those techniques.

Please let me know—thanks!

Hello everyone,

for ten years I did Judo and wanted to start again after a break of 5 years where I practitioned fitness and running. About 2 months of Judo somewhere in between. Unfortunately I lost the certificate of my exams to 3. Kyu. I also participated in youth tournaments. No documentation after request from my old club in Germany. How would you proceed? Thanks!

My next comp will see me as one of seven 81kg players, with another one or more potentially on the way. This is about the most players in the adult divisions, and I think myself lucky for having a good pool of guys to test myself against.

But is that really unusual for local competitions? Or do you guys end up with more than that?

I’m new to Judo and am looking for good YouTube channels. I did a search and found a lot of good channels but I’m curious if anyone does for Judo what Earn Your Gold Medal does for Wrestling.

I like how he does in depth breakdowns on high level matches by analyzing and focusing in on one move from one high level wrestler at a time.

Maybe Travis Stevens might be the most similar? Anyways hope you guys can help, thanks!

I have no problem with people wearing T-shirts under their Gi and I think it’s even better for many reasons.

But certain people tend to wear loose T-shirts, I am having a hard time getting a grip on their collar without grabbing their under-Gi and during Ne Waza it’s not uncommon to hear “crrrak” sounds because of this phenomenon.

My questions are : Must all T-shirts worn under the Gi be tight like rash guards for grappling ? What do the Japanese think of men wearing under-Gi, do they see it as untraditional and bad or anything else ? Is wearing a T-Shirt a better option which can help with sweating/hygiene (less sweat on the Gis, less skin-to-skin contact with the partner, etc) ?

This is going to be more of a vent than anything else.

I've come to really dislike classes where it seems like we just do random shit at our sensei's discretion. Even random shit I can tolerate, but what really frustrates me is when the sequence of activities actively disrupts the flow.

To give an example, let's say we do rigorous warm up with lots of mat crawl work stuff and zero stand up drills. Ok I'm expecting this to follow up into newaza. Nope, it's technique of the day to study something like uchimata where we all gather around and watch and listen while we cool down from the hard warm up. We practice the technique, with stop and go style to review and discuss. Then newaza randori. Then right into tachiwaza randori. Then technique demo again for a turn over or escape. And then static uchikomi to finish class. And then next class it's a another random assortment of stuff again.

The worst is when we do newaza warm ups, newaza technique and drills, everything on the ground and then boom, let's do tachiwaza randori. I cannot get my movements and anything going because my body hasn't been primed for stand up and I do not feel safe just going into randori like that.

Again, more of a vent, but I've been frustrated by this more and more lately.

Thought this sub might like this coin I found in my drawer.

omg i am so close to brazilian famous judokas, i really want to ask for a photo, but i am ashamed lol

Hey everyone,

So tomorrow is my 2nd comp, and I really don’t want to miss it since comps are rare in my country. But last night I got slammed with about 6 hours of vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. I’ve been resting a lot today, drinking electrolytes, and so far managed to eat some Greek yogurt and apples. Planning to try some solid food later and eat a lot by tomorrow since I’m in the +100kg, so weight’s not an issue.

It’s 5pm now where I am. I still have some diarrhea but not as bad or frequent as earlier.

Any tips or tricks to help speed up recovery for tomorrow? I really want to be in decent shape by comp time. Thanks!

Sup guys, I just wanna know what y’all personally accomplished this week, could be something in randori, or getting the hang of new techniques…genuinely curious here.

My personal one is that in nogi BJJ yesterday, I hit an osoto gari for the first time in months.

I just joined the USJA. I paid my 75$ and I can't login. Is this normal or do I need to email them?

Exactly as the title says. I'm just trying to develop an understanding all the standing turn throws for fun and development.

No drop attacks, no makikomis. Sasae and Hiza do not count.

Which of these throws will work better against a taller opponent? I am much better at morote seoi nage but I am wondering if I should start practicing ippon seoi nage more

Sorry if this is the wrong place, but I have a pressing question. And yes, the pun in intended. The rules say that the face is that area boundaried by the forehead (and jawline). Germany is boundaried by France. Does that mean the forehead is outside the area of the face? In the olden days I was allowed to press the forehead with the palm of my hand as part of an escape from e.g. kesagatame. Is that still allowed now?

Hi,

Te gatame, usually has only wrist control so it's illegal.

Is the first technique in the video IJF legal?

Thanks!

Does a pin require you to be on top of your opponent or just immobilizing him for 20 seconds is good enough?

The following was found on the following site: https://alpo-astronomy.org/jbeish/USJA_HISTORY.html

For those who were on the old Judo Forum Jeff Beish was DustyMars. I am posting this article here for posterity since Jeff is very old and once he passes away who knows how long his site will remain up.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JUDO IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
By: Jeff Beish, USJA Member

To my knowledge the history of organized Judo in the United States has never been officially published in a single volume.  Any article of this history would necessarily be based on personal memories and articles scattered about the Martial Arts world.  I will attempt to record the history of the United States Judo Association from my personal memories and papers.  Bear in mind first and foremost this is based on my personal knowledge and is subject to human error. This is a work in progress.

My first contact with organized Judo came in 1960 when attending basic training in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). I had been practicing Judo on and off since 1952; however, had no knowledge of organized Judo except for the local dojo I attended. Our drill instructor at Lackland AFB, Texas was SSGT Linan, who was black belt in Kodokan Judo.  Also I met a new friend, Masato Yamashita, another black belt in Judo. He and I were allowed to workout with the base Judo club.

After our basic training ended Yamashita and I were transferred to Chanute AFB, Illinois to attend technical school.  We found that the Chanute Judo Club had 20 or 30 students and we had plenty of Judo activity for off duty times.  Once an older Judoka came to visit our class and was introduced as SSgt. Rick Mertens who was active in the Air Force Judo Association (AFJA), so he recruited club members into the organization.   We both joined the AFJA and I would remain a regular member until 1969 when I became a life member. 

I remained in the USAF until early 1968 and participated in the Judo activities at each base within the JBBF and AFJA.  After that I was unattached and remained with the JBBF until the AFJA split from them and formed the United States Judo Association (USJA).  Except for just having fun practicing Judo I avoided Judo politics and have been a much happier camper for that.  Here is an outline of the history as I remember it. This is a work in progress and suggestions are welcome.

JUDO IN THE STRATIGIC AIR COMMAND

It all began back in 1951 when USAF General Curtiss LeMay authorized a most innovative program to teach his Strategic Air Command (SAC) aircrews the art of "hand-to-hand combat." For a more officially sounding name, "combative measures" was coined by the Air Force. To accomplish this task, General LeMay directed the SAC Physical Conditioning units and Air Police units to select candidates for Martial Arts training at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Japan.  The training sessions at the Kodokan would include Judo, jujitsu, karate, aikido, and other related forms that would eventually lead to certifying them to become “combative measures” instructors.   As commander-in-chief of the USAF Strategic Air Command (SAC), General Curtis E. LeMay came to realize that in the time of the Cold War there was a great need to train his combat crews in survival techniques.

Gen. LeMay also recognized that a well organized Judo programs would not only help his airmen to increase physical fitness it would also teach aircrews to defend themselves if they were shot down into enemy territory.  LeMay's first problem was finding enough qualified Judo instructors to carry out his program. He found the answer when he hired a former National wrestling champion and ranking Judo person Mr. Emilio ("Mel") Bruno (6th degree black belt) to organize and head up theSAC Judo and Physical Conditioning unit. So, in 1952 theSAC - ARDC Combatives Measures Program was born at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska .

Since there were only a hand full of qualified Judo instructors, SAC then decided to train its own instructors by sending airmen with prior Judo experience to Japan's Kodokan Judo Institute for advanced training by the world's foremost experts.  These airmen returned to instruct SAC airmen at the various bases.  SAC also secured the services of ten of the highest ranking Judo experts from the Kodokan to visit the United States and tour SAC bases to give advanced training to airmen in Judo, karate, and police methods.

Judo in Omaha began during the early 1950s. Mike Meriweather taught at the YMCA and Dr. Ashida (at 22 one of the youngest 5th-degree black belts) taught at the University in Lincoln.  Also, a number of black belts practiced judo at Offutt Air Force Base. Among the better known military judoka were Sgt. Mann, Augie Hauso, Phil Porter, Carl Flood, and La Verne Raab.  The first commercial judo school, the Omaha Judo Academy, was opened by La Verne Raab and Carl Flood after they left the military. Mel Bruno, who later became head of judo for SAC, taught judo at the Omaha YWCA and at the Omaha Athletic Club. In the Governance of U.S. Judo the development of a national governing body for U.S. judo started in 1952 through the efforts of Dr. Henry A. Stone, Major Draeger, and others. At that time there was no national authority to give guidance to local judo communities and insure the logical and orderly development of judo as a sport. Additional information on the Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences . [ EJMAS, 2010].  

SAC JUDO SOCIETY AND THE AMERICAN JUDO ASSOCIATION

In 1953 the U.S. Air Force invited judo, karate, and aikido experts from Japan to give demonstrations at many Air Force Bases over the United States .  One purpose of this tour was to train judo instructors and combat crews to give exhibitions on and off base. A demonstration was also setup at the White House marking a millstone in Judo development in America . The SAC Judo Society was created and became a chartered black belt organization under the Kodokan. The Amateur Judo Association (AJA) was also created for the purpose of bringing together the various judo organizations in the US under one roof.  Also, during 1953, the first National AAU Judo tournament was held at San Jose State College and the SAC team was invited to participate.

The Amateur Judo Association was a first attempt at establishing a national governing structure. Dr. Stone served as the first president. Authority to grant the most coveted Kodokan judo rank was assumed by the national organization. High ranking individuals were no longer permitted to grant promotions independently. The growth of local judo organizations was encouraged, promotion privileges were granted to yudanshakai, and a national communications avenue was opened.

SAC JUDO SOCIETY AND THE JUDO BLACK BELT FEDERATION

In 1954, the first SAC Judo Tournament was held at Offutt AFB. The Grand Champion was Airman Morris Curtis.  Two SAC judoists advanced to the last few rounds in the 1954 AAU National Championships at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco . The 12-man, SAC team won 29 rounds and lost 19 but was unable to place a man. Staff Sgt. Ed Maley, SAC, a member of the 1955 SAC Judo Team, placed in the 1955 AAU National championships-third in the 150-lb division. The Air Research and Development Command, USAD (ARDC), also entered a team in 1955, after only a year of competition, and A/1 C Vern Raab won an unofficial fourth place in the heavyweight division.

SAC sent 26 Air Police went to the Kodokan to study judo fourteen weeks. The curriculum consisted of police tactics, aikido, karate and judo. Also, that same years SAC brought S. Kotani and T. Otaki to the US to help conduct the first SAC tournament and to coach the SAC judo team.  A 10-man, AAU-Air Force team visited six Japanese cities to compete in 16 contests. Five members of the team were Air Force, and the most successful member of the team was to be heard from many times in the future. This man, Staff Sgt. George Harris, won all of his 16 contests.

In 1955 the AJA changed its name to Judo Black Belt Federation (JBBF) to recognize its role as a national federation of local yudanshakai (black belt associations). During this time the JBBF controlled judo ranking and the Amateur Athletics Union (AAU) oversaw the amateur aspects of the sport.  Then in 1963 the JBBF began using the name US Judo Federation for its business purposes.

Under the guidance of Gen. Power (ARDC Commander) the SAC Judo Society received recognition from the Kodokan in 1956. Emilio Bruno was elected president and the association was permitted to grant judo rank. This was the first and only Armed Forces judo association to be so recognized by the Kodokan. SAC and ARDC sent 280 Air Policemen for four-week classes at the Kodokan during 1956. 

In 1957, after only five years in judo, Staff Sgt. George Harris won the Grand Championship in the National AAU Judo Championships in Hawaii . Harris was first in the heavyweight division; sweeping the division with him were A/1 C Lenwood Williams in second place and A/2C Ed Mede, third. The Air Force also took the National 5-Man Team Championship for the first time.  Winners of the SAC and ARDC tournaments represented the Air Force in the AAU tournaments on April 13 and 14 in Chicago . Twelve Air Force judoists participated, with George Harris successfully defending his Grand Championship, and the Air Force team captured the National 5-Man Team Championship for the second year in a row. Due to the great power of southern California in the lower weight divisions, the Air Force was unable to win the overall team championship.  

In 1957 the Second Air Force held its championship tournament in Austin, Texas and invited Roy H. (“Pop”) Moore to officiate the tournament. Pop decided to stay and the Austin Judo Club opened its doors; with the help of Col. Walthrop, Beverly Sheffieid, from the Austin Recreation Department and a young competitor, Jerry Reid, from Bergstrom Air Force Base.

Meanwhile the SAC Judo Society was also changing and developing. In 1958 the society became the Subsequently it was renamed the Strategic Air Command Judo Association (SACJA), then SAC-ARDC Judo Society and shortly there after to the SAC-ARDC Judo Society. Originally SACJA was created for service active-duty military personnel and their dependents. This also included civilian personnel who worked for the Air Force and eventually members who left the Air Force would remain as members.

The SAC Judo Team, consisting of L. Williams, E. Mede, G. Harris, J. Reid, R. Moxley, and M. O'Connor (trainer) was designated as the U.S. Pan-American Judo Team in 1958. Team members won first and fourth in the 3rd dan category (Harris and Williams), third in the 2nd dan (Reid), and second in the 1st dan (Mede). In the fall of 1958, George Harris and Ed Mede represented the U.S. in the 2nd World Tournament, held in Tokyo. Harris's three wins before losing to Sone, a Japanese 5th degree, placed him in a tie for fifth place along with the four other defeated quarter finalists. As a result of this fine record, George Harris was promoted to 4th degree in judo, the first Armed Forces man to be so honored.  By then Judo was only loosely organized into groups within Air Force Commands. Soon these groups formed a larger body to encompass the entire U.S  Air Force and looked for someone to command the associations.

With the addition of members such as Bill Nagase and Sam Numahiri in Fort Worth, Karl Geis and Rick Landers in Houston, and Rick Mertens in Shreveport , the Southwestern U.S. Judo Association came into being. The association annexed small areas out of several yudanshakais and covered the states of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico . In 1959 the Southwestern U.S. Championships were held in Austin, TX with over 300 competitors attending. In the late 1950s Bill Nagase and Gail Stolzenburg competed in the National AAU Senior Judo Championships.

In 1958 the name was again changed to the Air Force Judo Association (AFJA). The growth of judo and the AFJA was so rapid in the services that in 1961 the AFJA became the Armed Forces Judo Association (AFJA). This organization governed judo in all branches of the US military. However as the AFJA grew, problems between it and the JBBF developed when the JBBF would not give the association equal representation in the federation, even though at one time its membership was larger than the JBBF.

The military people did not get involved in civilian judo until about 1958. Around 1960, Darrell Darling, Phil Porter, Paul Own, Wally Barber, who was director of the local YMCA, and Mike Manly met at Dr. Ashida's house and decided to form a yudanshakai. They framed a constitution and made contacts with the yudanshakai officers in Chicago and Denver to implement the project. In the autumn of 1961 the yudanshakai, which covered the greater part of six states, was formed and became Armed Forces Judo Association (AFJA).

In 1962 the International Judo Federation was formed and became the governing body for judo internationally.   The Air Forces Association, as the JBBF referred to the AFJA, in April 1962 expanded to include all branches of the services, i.e., the Navy/Marine Judo Association and the Army Judo Association and the name was changed to the Armed Forces Judo Association (AJFA).   An eight-man Armed Forces Judo team from Kanto Base Command Tokyo won third place in the Tama Games inFuchuCityearlier in 1965. 

THE UNITED STATES JUDO ASSOCIATION

The founding of the USJA was in 1968 by a group of experienced Judoists who met is a Chicago hotel room.  Attending that meeting were George Bass, Robey Reed,  Jim Bregman, Phil Porter, George Harris, Rick Mertens, and Karl Geis. In 1969 the differences and positions that had been fought out at the meetings finally culminated in one of the yudanshakai (the Armed Forces Judo Association) withdrawing from the U.S. Judo Federation to start a rival national organization. The Armed Forces Judo Association adopted a name similar to that of the parent organization, the United States Judo Association (USJA) . The association closely aligned itself with the philosophy and position of the Amateur Athletic Union.   Eventually, as a result of a court case, the USJA was granted the same rights as USJF to award Judo ranks. The AAU was later replaced by the United States Judo Incorporated (USJI) as the governing body for Judo in the US, and both the USJF and USJA are equal organizational members.

Since its inception the USJA has become the leader for American judo. Phil Porter developed a ranking system that has become a model for American Judo. Jim Bregman and Ben Campbell [both 1964 US Olympians] pioneered the summer camp movement. During the early 70s, Camp Olympus was the technical center for American Judo.

In the United States, the USJI along with USJA and USJF are the governing bodies for judo. There are other organizations such as the Dai-Nippon Seibu-kan Budol Bugei-Kai, the American Society of Classical Judoka (ASCJ), and the Eastern Collegiate Judo Association.

Additional History:  Some words of wisdom from the late Rick Mertens, former USJA Executive Secretary.

Reference

Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences (EJMAS),http://ejmas.com/

How much time passed for you before it became tolerable? I can do 3 rounds of boxing just fine or 1 full standing judo randori(although need 4-5 minutes to recover to have another one). However, when we have newaza sparrings, after 1-1.5 minutes with another 90kg guy it feels like all life forces are leaving my body and I’m going to die on that mat, which was terrifying first couple of times. The more I do it the more I hate it because of that feeling in the end. Other beginner belts trying to do crazy stuff like “block your neck arteries with gi” after watching YouTube although session topic was armbars and leg triangles or throw a stray elbow in my face doesn’t help either. I’m loving stand ups though

When drilling Seoi Nage (I believe Ippon Seoi Nage), I pull my Uke's arm toward's me, which causes them to rotate and makes it harder to line my back up with their chest (which I hear is good form for this technique.)

Any tips? I am a white belt.

Any recommendations of places to start training in Denver Colorado?

Hi all,

Got a couple of questions, and I'd appreciate any advice. I've started practicing judo 3 months ago. I generally attend 2-3x a week; I'm up for yellow belt promotion in few weeks.

I basically have two moves, osotogari and ippon/morote seoinage. Obviously I only can perform them at white/yellow belt level. pretty bad

When doing randori sessions, and if I wish to attack, do I just... consecutively try to do these two moves? Just try and pray? I do like to spend time on the drive back home about how well I did, and to my limited knowledge, my problem happens due to distance - I can't get enough kuzushi, far to run/jump in for osoto, and not tight enough for seoi.

Also, the most problematic habit/issue that my partners tell me is that I'm too stiff and tense, using too much force without proper technique. I've searched around reddit and understand that it's dangerous for myself and the partners, but not sure how it's like... possible to not be tense. When a move is coming into me, do I just let it happen and be thrown? When they're pulling and pushing, do I let it happen? unfortunately just doesn't make sense in my head. Then soon I'm just completely out of breath. I power through the entire session but I'm obviously that guy that's huffing and puffing all throughout, while others are chilling lol

tldr;

1. i have two moves. do i just mix and commit to it and try try?
2. how do i stop being so tense without just being pulled/pushed around?

thanks all

Hello! I am a Korean training Judo in Korea and only 2 months in now. Does anyone know why each country has different requirements in terms of grading system?

In Korea, if the practitioner train 2 to 3 times per week regularly, they will get the shodan about an year or year and half. And apparently google says it takes up to 4 to 5 years in England. Why is the time gap so big between these two countries?

I got a different martial arts background which does not require wearing coloured belt. So, I don’t mind about whatever I wear, but it intrigues me.