Judo some basic information regarding this sport. (Judo in General)

Member Name: mummyno4

Product:	Judo in General
Date:	22/11/05 (1221 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Is great excercise, Fun, Rewards.

Disadvantages: Can get injured, also can be tough when fighting in competitions.

Why take up Judo??
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Lots of people like judo for its competitive nature, thereare many occasions to win trophies and medals. Also to progress in the sport via different Grades, these are awarded with different coloured belts (obi)


Other people start to keep fit, make friends or even to build confidence. It is also good for cross training in martial arts as not all other arts include grappling.

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What does it involve??
Judo involves lots of throwing and grappling, utilising techniques such as throws, sweeps, hold downs and for seniors arm locks / strangles.

There are many ways to progress in judo through courses, competitions and gradings. These also a great way to increase your confidence and techniques.

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OBI Colour Coding

In order to progress through the different colours of belt students have to convince a grading panel that their knowledge of Judo is increasing. . Some organisations place greater emphasis on the ability to win whilst others require a greater degree of understanding and technical ability.

However in all organisations, even if the knowledge and ability needed to complete each class differs the sequence of belt colour is the same. At their first grading students progress from novice to:
White belt (6th Kyu)
Yellow (5th Kyu),
Orange (4th Kyu),
Green (3rd Kyu),
Blue (2nd Kyu)
Brown (1st Kyu).
The Black belt or 1st Dan is generally regarded as the ultimate colour but above this 5th Dans can wear a red and white striped belt and 9th Dans red.


Although most beginners start off wearing a white belt, it is sometimes suggested that prior to their first grading novices should wear a red belt. This would serve both to represent the circular nature of Judo, and also avoid the situation where a student who even though he may have had a successful first grading may still be perceived to be wearing the white belt of the novice. However since most new gi’s come with a white belt this is the colour of belt that most Judoka start from.

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Breakfalls
These are the 1st things you will be taught when attending Judo. As you need to be able to fall correctly to prevent injuries happening when being thrown.

Here are a few names of them.
Ushiro Ukemi - Backward Breakfall
Yoko Ukemi - Side Breakfall
Mae Ukemi - Forward Breakfall
Jigari Ukemi - Rolling Break fall

These will be continually practice even when you are a higher grade, some judoka's (pupils) find them boring and tiresome although I cannot stress how important they are.

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Holddowns
These are used to hold your opponent down to the mat, so you can either score points or an Ippon (Straight Win). For Juniors and Seniors this time varies accordingly.

Here are a few names of them.
Kazure keas gatame - Broken scarf hold
Hon Kesa Gatame - Scarf hold
Yoko Shiho Gatame - Side four quarters hold


This is just a little taster of Judo and what it is about, I hope that you may either have a look into the History or even take up the sport. This is one of the only Martial Arts that is a no contact sport. Most other martial arts are based on attack, not defence. I am not saying that you cannot get hurt within this sport. From my experience competitions are very competitive especially when the females are fighting.

Men/boys seem to take more time within their techniques although the Girls/women seem to have more aggression. It is always possible to get injured within any sport, so always be prepared for this.

Thank you for reading my review :0)

Summary: Judo is a great sport and is growing in popularity each year.