I want to be a championI will be in the class room this week with the first year students seting them an assignment with regards to the Technical, Tactical, Physical and psychological skills that elite performers have, a player profile if you like. As I was preparing for this assignment I came across an excellent article “

Coach, I Want To Be A Champion!

by Gerald Lafon 

Coach, I Want To Be A Champion!

by Gerald Lafon

Well we have been back for 2 weeks now, we have 4 additions to the group and now have 9 full time students. The Judo clubs now supporting the program are, The University of Wolverhampton Judo Club (Walsall), 3K’s Judo Club (Smethwick), Wolverhampton Judo club (Wolverhampton) and Halesowen Judo Club (Halesowen). We also now have a young girl U48 Kg player. I am really pleased to have a new female player on board and hopefully we will get more females joining us in the future.

The first week was Induction, the usual Health and Safety stuff, nothing too interesting but still important.

The second week has been all about fitness testing and technical evaluation. We need to get a profile of where the players are in regards to their range of techniques and their all-round conditioning. As coaches we will assess the information and work with each individual to set some short term goals for improving technique, fitness etc. I have posted a couple of videos with regards to evaluating technical range, and also some of the basic stabilisation exercises Nico our S&C coach introduced the team of players to.

The technical evaluation video highlights that there is room for improvement with regards to movement. I also believe that the players need to be ready to go/move immediately as the test starts, you will notice that it all looks a bit static, players need to build on their ability to throw in different directions. The different coloured mats (chess board style) gives a big clue as to the directions that the throws can be completed. After taking a quick look at some of the results it is noticeable that players at this level are happy in their comfort zone, throwing to their stronger side mostly. Development in technique can lead to being competent at throwing in more than one direction, which involves moving UKE more.

There is also a newaza evaluation with scenarios with Uke in different starting positions.

Take a look !

I was watching the Wimbledon Mens final last week and at the end of a great match I noticed something about the eventual runner up that impresses me and struck a chord in my head. I watched the facial expressions of Andy Roddick – How gutted was he? After losing an epic match to probably the best tennis player in history i could see that passion in his eyes that told me he had desire. Although taking defeat graciously you could see deep down inside he wanted to win that title so much he was almost grieving over losing out.  I would relate this to a judoka in that there must be a desire to win above all that burns deep inside to win. If you lose to someone better than you in randori who should be your next practice? is it another person who you feel you can handle or maybe beat? I think it should be the person who has just given you the beating of the night. If you have that desire to win or be the best its no good looking for easy practice or taking it easy in training. Having the desire to win is what will bring you through eventually. I listened to Kosei Inoue not so long ago at Bath University where he was giving us a Keynote lecture. Most of his conversation was around wanting to be Shinohara. He was the person who drove him on to practice hard and set a goal of beating him, it instilled him with that desire to win.  I wonder if any of our Judo Apprentice students have that desire deep down? we will see ? – I notice it occasionally in some of the students and it then gives me desire as a coach – you can see how the coach – athlete relationship can spur each other on. What are your thoughts?

A quick video of a drill designed to build stamina. Adapt it to the techniques you may be working on.

We had a bit of fun yesterday which worked on reacting quickly in Newaza situations. As you dont get long to work in newaza now its important that reactions are quick. The video of this exercise involves the person attacking his partner to instructions from the coach. He rests his chest on the person who is covering up in a ball and moves in a circular motion around their body, the coach will shout “left hand” the attacking person must then use his left hand to grab Uke’s judogi or grab an arm or grip sleeve/lapel, then continue moving. The coach will shout a scenario of different limbs to use e.g. left leg, right hand, two hands, two feet.

Just thought I would post a video of Adam one of the students working hard as usual. He has been out for a while now with a severe injury (dislocated shoulder) and after his operation he was told by the surgeon to refrain from training until September. He has however used his time very productively and kept working hard. If anyone else suffers from a shoulder injury like Adams, heres a few examples of really basic stuff that can help keep up your fitness levels and improve your injury.

Just a bit of fun, thought I would compile a short video of the students losing.

Take a look  - if it works?

How many Judoka actually make it as an elite athlete? not too many! My message here to the students is the importance of their education.  We made a no compromise agreement with the students that if course work at college is not up to date then they dont train. A very simple rule which is key to their individual education but also something that lays important foundations as an athelete. Sometimes we have to do things we dont like in order to improve.  Please dont forget this  – you may not thank your lecturers now but you may wish you had of done in 10 years time.

After a lengthy discussion today with Nico the S&C coach it is apparant that the players all now have all round basic strength. What we need to do now is look to tailor the training now to a more individual approach. One thing I have also discussed with many performers is that there is a definate need to build muscle around the parts of the body that absorb the impact of throws, i.e. shoulders, ankles, knees, wrists etc. We will be looking at this also.

PS a reminder for the students – you forgot to put a piece of equipment away after todays session – “SHIDO” for you all.