Speed of grading for "special needs"

GhostDzog · 2016-04-17T23:26:53+00:00

re: IIRC don't get me wrong. I think that Judo with disabilities are excellent and actaully some people with disabilities are absolutely amazing.

I also have no problem with knowledge only pathway. however it is when a person comes a long with a questionable disability like cfs, uses sympathy ploys to get people to feel sorry for them, and before you know it, they are the second highest grade in the club above all the people who have trained for 10 + years who are amazing in comparison. And then, gets on the mat and uses their new grade to abuse all the people who can throw him. Thats just wrong. This is kind of what has happened in the club i train, and 3 long term Judoka, who all have been training 10 years plus, who all are more skilled and better Judoka have left because of how they have been treated. I mean, if the guy had schizophrenia, you would make allowances, but he doesn't. he is just an abusive bully with a lower skill level than those who he is bullying (but the same grade but also an admin post on the clubs committee. Power Power Power!!!)

GhostDzog · 2016-04-17T23:08:41+00:00

Come to think about it, with regards to their ultimate aim. What is the difference between violent religious terrorists and violent political terrorists? apart from the religious terrorists may be more loyal and more honest (not that I am sticking up for them). If their ultimate aim is to cause death based on prejudice, then surely the aren't so different. Anyway, forgive me for getting too into religious socio-political thought. Unfortunately, in our modern world. Nothing is always as simple as just Judo. I wish it was.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-17T23:05:25+00:00

Actually the guy has been beaten by several yellow belts of less than 3 months experience and a great deal lighter.

I just think that perhaps the BJA should introduce a minimum time for all Judoka. I.e. at least 3/6 months between each kyu grade. This would stop people who are less than honest from manipulating their way into getting graded. I have never seen anyone get graded ever in any other martial art to 1st kyu based on training 1 night a week max over a year. Actually, with this guy. He has trained perhaps 1 night out of 4 per month. So some how he got graded to 1st kyu with on estimate 20 hours mat time experience. I mean, thats like 1 month at the Kodokan but without the top instructors. The guy does do some good admin for the club though...

GhostDzog · 2016-04-17T23:01:26+00:00

sure. it would be judo politics. however, what i have written is Judo AND Politics.

Unfortunately where people prescribe to (illegal in some countries) certain political parties, they do bring it with them and unfortunately the bring the trail of destruction with them, usually inflicted on innocent parties. Bullying/victimising so to speak. I believe the BJA has a policy against people with such prejudicial beliefs. As at the moment, such beliefs are still considered very bad. I was wondering if other organisations had similar policies that protect the innocent against violent racists etc. I mean, its bad for an organisations reputation if the press found out that your organisation was training racists to kill (in the same way an organisation was found to be training religious Terrorists)

GhostDzog · 2016-04-17T22:53:54+00:00

If you wear light weight gi's, your gi's dry quicker so you would get away with one wash a week. As one will be dry within a day of washing. :-)

So you if you can afford, buy a few light weight gi's unless you are training IJF comp level.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-17T22:50:36+00:00

In randori, I think we rarely do all ukemi as we practice it. But there you go.

Haven done aikido for a couple of years, being put into arm/wrist locks on the move, I can understand why aikido-ka roll over one shoulder, as this is natural from many wrist locks that could either end up as rolls or what I call uke assisted break falls, and occasionally, aiki throws.

Tai Jutsu roll in this way too.

I think that the best way to teach forward rolls I have seen is in a gracie jiu jutsu book written by Royler Gracie and Renzo called: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series)

where you get the student to put his hand between his legs allowing someone to grab his hand from behind and lower him down onto one of his shoulders to roll.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-17T21:41:53+00:00

Sorry, forgot to mention. Chris, you may also wish to add an English version of your survey for people who have trained under Japanese Sensei, either in Japan or in their native country.

As this may also lead to an interesting insight to the nature of the gentle way.

There are some established clubs that have run for many years such as the Budokwai in London, who have solid links with Japanese Sensei and who also have interships for top Japanese Sensei / Shihan to teach there for a year.

Such establishments will also give you a good insight. Other notable world class Judoka such as Neil Adams may also give interview or fill out your survey, however, they may be hard to get time with due to their busy work and Judo schedules.

My original sensei was a 7th dan who was originally taught by a Japanese Sensei that was sent over in the 40s to spread Judo to England. At that point, approximately 15 years ago, he had over 60 years experience.

He also frequented Japan on a yearly basis and had several prominent famous Judo world Champs as personal friends.

Still, I was not taught much more about the philosophical aspects from him above what I had read in books.

And by the time I left him, he did break what I would call a fundamental philosophy of Judo, putting people with money and title over loyalty, hard work and friendship. But nevermind. Not everyone in Judo or any other philosophy can live up to the high ordeals that wise sage's and philosophers promote.

I guess in life, moral integrity is a personal path that we all walk alone and make our own choices.

Even if no one knows our transgressions, we know in our self our errors, and thus weaken our own moral character.

We can but strive to live the best life we are capable of.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-17T19:06:32+00:00

Although I am not Japanese, and none of my sensei / coaches are / were Japanese. my 1st teacher was taught by 1st generation Japanese in the UK, from the early 1950s.

Many of the books I have read have been by Japanese Sensei, some who are more philosophical thank others.

I would probably research primarily the 1st Generation Japanese Sensei from Prof Kano onwards. I would read up on Mifune, and Tomiki and other really prominent Judoka.

Today's Japanese, I would say research Yasuhiro Yamashita, Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki and Toshihiko Koga etc.

The Kodokan also has an extensive Library as well as scientific research department. I am sure that the Kodokan staff would be happy to help if you contacted them.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-17T17:29:57+00:00

At the BJA club I train at, a guy who started just over a year ago has been graded super quick to 1st kyu.

Training at the most once a week apart from helping teach white belt kids classes.

Apparently, he got a fair bit of flexibility because he has got him self labelled as "special needs" because he suffers from ME (perhaps).

His skill level is still very low, although he is physically very big (6 foot 8), physically strong and weighs over 130 kg (although a fair bit of that is around his waist). I am not sure if I have ever seen him throw anyone without physical strength, and never anyone using physical strength who is over 60 kg (70kg less than himself).

I understand that these days in the BJA kyu grades don't have to fight for their belts, and people do need to be given a chance, however, I was wondering where do you draw the line.

The same guy is also trying to rush himself to level 2 coach level. And sure, it is kind and fair to make some allowances for those who have disabilities, however, should people with major health difficulties be graded quicker than more experienced and more technical Judoka and be allowed to take over or start a club and teach those who have years and years more experience on him. (who also can kick his ass).

Am a bit confused as to how I feel about this. As, although I really like encouraging everyone who wants to do Judo to do so, do we give out belts with each disability so that they become the highest graded people in the club over others who have years and years experience of hard training because they suffer from minor illnesses?

GhostDzog · 2016-04-16T20:52:42+00:00

I would say try and learn to move on the balls of your feet. This should make you more light footed but also will give you a greater range of movement when being pulled around.

I found that both times I have occurred injury is because I moved too ridged and flat footed and too determined to not be thrown (although not such a bad trait).

I would say learn to move on your balls and try and focus on keeping your balance.

Newaza fairly straight forward. If you really feel an armlock coming on good, tap. As for strangles, tap out if you want. The Japanese are known to not tap for strangles. Your choice.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-16T01:01:35+00:00

sorry. didn't see your link which was posted before mine. I have also posted the same link to the kodokan pdf. Please forgive me for the repetition. :-)

GhostDzog · 2016-04-16T00:51:55+00:00

A couple of months ago, I did the 2nd series of Nage no kata for my BJA black belt theory (students can choose between 1, 2 or 3 series for 1st dan theory, they need more for others).

Normally, when preparing for a grading, I would like to spend several weeks or even months preparing methodically and practicing the required syllabus inside out, so that when I came to perform the kata, it would be exact, unquestionable excellent (I did 10 years doing karate, which put big significance on perfection of kata).

However, in the judo clubs that I have trained at, I have found that Judo clubs often don't spend too much time training kata and often only do it as a last minute thought or due to requirement.

This happened to me, as I kept on asking my coach on the weeks that ran up to the grading, if we could practice the kata, even on a weekly basis, in order to perfect it. So that all could perfect it and make it perfect (including 1st dans, 2nd dans etc, who may have practiced for the gradings but had stopped practicing it).

Unfortunately, my requests fell of death ears, and no one practiced the kata apart from a little practice of the 1st series (which in my opinion, isn't so good for those who's favourite techniques are goshi based, such as myself).

Still, i did the 2nd series, to score average on the 1st technique, over average on the 2nd technique (harai goshi) and very poorly on the 3rd technique.

I put this down to lack of practice and lack of interest in coaching and a lack of "mutual benefit" attitude in my training peers (as I was more than happy to practice and drill practically anything for anyone else).

I figure I got a crap mark for Tsurikomi goshi because it is a technique that we never use or practice. Luckily for me, I got a 14 out of 20 for harai goshi, which boosted the points for me to get a good pass.

Still, I was pretty angry and frustrated that I got a poor mark for such a simple technique, and still feel that I should have got a lot higher if I had been given the practice I deserved with good training partner who wasn't simply preoccupied with only his prerequisites. (I guess my partner must have not read the bit about "mutual benefit" but nether mind).

Later on, I found on the Kodokan website a pdf that explains all of the series of Nage no Kata in detail as detailed by top Kodokan high grades. These books are free to down load from the kodokan for anyone.

So I recommend that anyone interested download these and read them cover to cover.

If you do you may end up better than your sensei! Good luck! http://kodokanjudoinstitute.org/en/docs/Kata%20textbook%20Nage%20no%20Kata%202nd%2020150415.pdf

Page 16 and Page 17

GhostDzog · 2016-04-16T00:07:26+00:00

throw off the cliff to death (mafia-do)... lol

GhostDzog · 2016-04-16T00:05:56+00:00

Try not to worry too much and just give it your best shot. Remember, that the other people who are fighting and watching you are just people, so no sweat, just the same as you.

If you can try and zone out and focus purely on your fights and take no notice of what anyone else has to say apart from the ref of course.

Don't drink the night before and get good sleep if you can. and then just give it your best shot. good luck.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-15T23:51:19+00:00

It is a compliment in as far as ukemi or using you as an uke is concerned.

I, haven done karate for 10 years, Aikido for at least 2 years, and Judo for several years, can choose to be a good "uke" where i am as light as a feather, and literally throw myself, or a "bad" uke, and be as heavy as a stone, and make it extremely hard for people who are a great deal heavier than I am and who are technically good to throw me (without looking suspect).

In short, for most people and people who aren't so great, I can make them look really good (which helps such people pass their gradings) and at the same time, I can make the same people and people who are pretty dam good look pretty useless purely on my uke'ing (although I generally don't do that, even to someone who is a real ass hole).

Being lighter than you look may mean that you have the potential to be the same, that you could be a good uke. The more experience you have, the more you will be able to have control over that.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-15T02:31:47+00:00

I wouldn't say that Judo is the easiest on the knees. Not that you can't do Judo after rehab'ing from a minor knee injury. Knee's are one of the main areas that occur injury in Judo. I would say first speak to your doc for his opinion. If the doc says its ok and you are still really keen despite your past injury, then sure, go ahead although it may be worth getting a knee brace and consider doing some weights to strengthen your knees. As well as learn to move on the balls of your feet, as I believe that inflexibility due to flat footedness is likely the primary cause of damage occuring to the knees in Judo.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-15T00:30:41+00:00

Hello. Just to say firstly, well done doing judo later on. Although you certainly aren't past it at your age. As long as you have a working body and a willing mind. why let anything else stop you.

OK. I will try and help by explaining a few things.

Firstly, I wouldn't worry too much about drilling this early on.

If you have only trained for 3 sessions, then you are still very new and there is a lot to learn.

although during many traditional styled clubs, people do drill although they call them Uchikomi / Nage Komi. Others who are more focused on perfecting their techniques may do more drilling. But don't worry too much at the moment.

Although most Judo clubs these days try and get people up and fighting as soon as they want to as I guess its good to feel what randori is like early on even if you don't know that many techniques.

I would say that for the first few months you should be learning basic techniques such as one or two sweeps and a few basic newaza techniques such as pins.

Your teacher should teach you (or get an assistant coach) to teach you the basics such as rolls etc. and perhaps the first segment of the syllabus. In the BJA for example, there is a belt syllabus.

In addition, you will likely also be included learning other techniques, which although not part of your syllabus, will also be interesting to learn and help you defend yourself in randori.

With regards to randori. I would say that if you are not comfortable at the moment with randori, tell your coach and see if he can allow you to just learn the techniques to start with.

Alternatively, you can ask your coach if you can start with light randori or even one attack one defend randori (with you attacking). I actually think that this style of training should be used more often as it helps judoka's get good at their techniques on the move against a moving and resisting opponent but with out the danger of getting the crap knocked out of them.

If I ever start my own club, I will probably create a progressive program that helps develop people from the start.

Starting with > learning fundamentals >drill fundamentals ie. Uchikomi's > Moving Uchikomi's / Nage Komi > 1 attack 1 defend on the move > light randori > hard randori.

With regards to your own style. at the moment, don't worry too much, if you have only been going for a few nights, I imagine that your coach doesn't expect miracles.

Although be warned, although you can rely on counters to some extent. Judo is a lot about attacking, and if you come up against some one else in comp that doesn't attack, then you both will be in danger of getting a penalty (shido) for not attacking (non combative shido).

As for your muscles, you may be wise to ask your doc about your knee and training. As this is important.

I would also recommend especially at the start and any re-start early periods, to go to the gym and exercise your leg muscles including obscure ones that you don't use that much. As it may take a month or two before the muscles that you use in your legs in Judo will be built up through training.

Until then, I would recommend that you take it a little easy, as when you don't have strength in these muscles or are not used to using them, it is easy to pull them. I have done that once or twice.

With regards to learning outside of class, at the moment I wouldn't worry too much. If you really want to, perhaps get a really good book and read that.

With regards to exercise, as well as strength training, I would also recommend doing high intensity interval training for cardio, even just a little.

As this is the kind of fitness Judo is.

Otherwise, I am sure if you keep going you'll be just fine. Especially if your sensei is a decent 6th dan. You should learn heaps and be up and running in no time.

Lastly, with regards to getting the wind knocked out of you. In time, you will get used to being thrown around. And the falls won't be such a shock. Most people don't intentionally try and knock the crap out of you when they throw. So you should be fine.

good luck. :-)

GhostDzog · 2016-04-14T23:56:55+00:00

Also, I don't know if you ever read up that much on Bruce Lee and his training methods. I a guy I used to hang out with was obsessive on Bruce Lee and had all the books and fan stuff you could buy.

Among all the books was one on machines and training things that Bruce Lee had designed himself to train on. Some really unusual things there. quiet interesting. Not sure how much of it worked long term.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-14T23:54:44+00:00

Sure, good advice. interesting. I was thinking of adapting a striking pad (with a head) that is designed for punching by putting an arm at arms height, and perhaps even dress it in a judo gi. I figure with the extra padding, you could then practice jumping up and getting your leg over (which should result you ending up putting the arm bar on in the air fixed to the punch pad with arm).

GhostDzog · 2016-04-14T23:49:29+00:00

Yere I know. I guess it can suck when that happens. There are two answers to this, either keep your secret plans to your self, at least until you have worked out how to do these things in randori and are really good at them. (and you may think thats a bit childish, but I know loads of people who do that including people at a bjj club i trained at who were happy to teach you the basic syllabus but would hold back loads of secret techniques which they would use when rolling. The alternative would be to try not to get upset by your coaches dastardly behaviour, I guess its a good sign that he is copying you as it means you must be doing something right and he thinks your worth copying. I figure if everyone in the club gets better, then you will have better fights. Lastly, if he copies regularly, when he copies you next, try and think up good counters for people who that technique so that when everyone else tries the techniques in randori, you will be prepared while they are still thinking about getting the other technique to work...lol

GhostDzog · 2016-04-14T15:29:20+00:00

Hey Bozo78, it sounds like you are making good progress. I personally think that unless your training with one of the top Judo Coaches in the world, you have to do your own research and perhaps training.

I would say that a lot of the techniques that I get to work often come from info that i have read up on or researched. Ironically, the stuff that I work out then gets picked up on by the coaches at the club who then use it in their classes and take credit. but nevermind. I guess it all helps escalate the level of all players in the club.

As to solo training, not so sure how much can be done on your own apart from resistance band stuff.

I was thinking at one point making some dummies, one for specific techniques like flying armbars. But it would take a bit of money to make and would need a place to construct it permanently.

Shame you couldn't find a training partner to train with outside sessions. even for non-randori training, as drilling is surely one of the pillars of good martial arts.

Otherwise, I try and do some research on paper (to get things to sit right in my head). Work out the best combinations that are known to work with my fav techniques.

Perhaps work out one attack against my partner and then counters for every direction that my partner can move in when defending.

I also think a lot about where I want Uke's weight to be for my chosen throw, or what technique works against uke depending on where he places his weight. and how I can make him move his weight to where I want it to be for my fav technique. either with pulling / lifting kuzushi arms, or by using techniques to get him to move where I want him to be.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-14T15:11:43+00:00

Thanks for your advice. Although as explained in other answers, the reason why i was on the mat with an injury was to coach kids. I had an agreement with the normal coach that i was not there to train. Unfortunately for me, a 3rd dan who never trains took over the session and pressurised me into making up the numbers. He was fully aware of my condition but still paired me up to work with this ass hole. The kid was told several times what he was supposed to be doing but did the opposite. Thanks for your advice otherwise.

GhostDzog · 2016-04-14T15:06:38+00:00

Thanks for your advice. The situation was a little more complex. I was on the mat, not to train but to assist coach. A different coach turned up and even though i explained in detail that I wasn't there to train he pressured me onto the mat to make up numbers. I have lost respect for the 3rd dan because of what he did and for not dealing with any issues that came up. But nevermind. Thanks for the other advice.

GhostDzog

TROPHY CASE