Judo Classes

Judo is a combat martial art that originated in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Judo and Jiu-Jitsu share a common philosophy “maximum efficiency with minimum effort”. The objective is to either throw or takedown an opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue an opponent with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke.

Judo’s techniques can be grouped into three main categories:

  • nage waza (throwing techniques)
  • katame waza (grappling techniques)
  • atemi waza (vital-point striking techniques)

There are two main types of Nage waza (throwing techniques):

  • tachi waza (standing techniques)
  • sutemi waza (sacrifice techniques)

The tachi waza inlcudes “te waza” (hand techniques), “koshi waza” (hip techniques), and “ashi waza” (foot/leg techniques). The sutemi waza are further divided into the “ma sutemi waza” (front sacrifices) and the “yoko sutemi waza” (side sacrifices).

Tachi waza (Standing Techniques) – Koshi waza (hip techniques)

Harai goshi (Sweeping hip throw)
You will break your opponent’s balance by pulling forward and to the right. You will then spin so that your hips are against your opponents, and use your right leg to sweep your opponent’s weight-bearing right leg from the floor, and finally throw your opponent over your hip.

Tachi waza (Standing Techniques) – Ashi waza (foot and leg techniques)

Osoto-gari (Large outer reap)
You will break your opponent’s balance by pushing them back, then you will use your right leg to sweep your opponent’s weight-bearing right leg from the floor in a diagonal motion from behind.

Ouchi-gari (Large inner reap)
You will push your opponent straight back, or back and leftward, then place your right leg behind your opponent’s left leg (at knee level) and sweeps your opponent’s left leg off the floor to throw him down.

Uchi mata (Inner thigh wraparound throw)
You will break your opponent’s balance by pulling him straight forward, then insert your leg deep behind your opponent’s left inner thigh and sweep’s it off the floor with your right thigh.

Sutemi waza – Sacrifice techniques
Tomoe nage (Circular throw) – Ma sutemi waza (rear sacrifice techniques)
You will break your opponent’s balance by pulling him straight forward, then slides into a supine posture (facing upward) between the legs of your opponent, with the sole of one foot placed against your opponent’s stomach area. You will then carry your opponent’s body over his head with that leg, thus throwing your opponent to the floor.

Katame waza (Grappling techniques) – Osae waza (pinning/holding techniques)
Katame waza consist of holding, strangling, joint twisting, and counter bending techniques, etc., designed to restrict the opponent’s freedom of movement. These techniques are divided into three groups: “Osae waza” (hold-down techniques), “Shime waza” (strangling techniques), and “Kansetsu waza” (Joint lock techniques). The main “Katame waza” (Grappling techniques) are explained below.

Kesa Gatame (Gi hold)
You will lie on your side over the supine body of your opponent while holding your opponent’s arm in his armpit, with your other arm around your opponent’s neck. With your legs wide apart, you will hold your opponent’s down in this posture.

Kami shiho gatame (Top four corner hold)
You lie face down with your upper body over the supine your opponent’s chest or abdominal area. In this posture, you will pin both of your opponent’s arms to his sides, thus effectively holding your opponent down.

Katame waza (Grappling techniques) – Shime waza (choke techniques)

Nami-juji-jime (Normal cross choke)
With arms crossed, you will grip both sides of you opponent’s collar and choke him.

Katame waza (Grappling techniques) – Kansetsu waza (joint lock techniques)

Ude hishigi juji gatame (Cross lock)
You will lie on your back grasping one of your opponent’s wrists with both hands, and with both thighs scissoring the upper part of that trapped arm. The arm is pulled to hyperextend the elbow or the shoulder.

Ate waza (Striking techniques)
“Ate waza” (or “Atemi waza”) consist of striking maneuvers (by the hand, fingers, edge of the hand, elbow, knee, foot, and heel) aimed at vital points on the opponent. Due to their hazardous nature, Ate waza techniques are not excusted in normal practice sessions.

“Falling happens”, so learning how to break fall is an essential aspect of Judo.

Back break fall
Begin with both your arms extended forward at shoulder height. Go into a squatting position and fall backward onto your rounded back with both arms on the mat and tuck your chin.

Side break fall
Step forward with the left leg and extend the right arm outward from the side at shoulder height. Advance the right foot as if swept out by a foot sweep. Allow the foot to continue upward, following through with right arm while falling sideways. Bend the left leg at the knee, and strike the mat with the right arm to dissipate the impact, with the feet up and together.

Forward break fall
Fall forward with the body extended and strike with both forearms to minimize the impact.

Forward roll break fall
Bring both hands and the right foot forward simultaneously, push forward from both feet and tuck the right arm inward when entering the roll.

Judo has a strong moral code which includes:

  • principles of politeness
  • courage
  • sincerity
  • honor
  • modesty
  • respect
  • self-control
  • friendship