I believe that young competitive Judoka should have a main focus to their technical training. However which techniques should the focus be on? I have selected the techniques above for 1 reason only – They are the throws that work at elite level. Set yourself a simple task. Take a copy of any competition DVD, watch all the contests and make a note of how many different throws are used and which throws win contests. I have done this many times by just keeping a simple 5 bar gate record for each technique and these 5 core techniques are the ones that appear every time I do this. This may seem really simple to think – Yep, I will learn these 5 techniques and I will be able to win more matches. The harsh reality is though that it may take you easily 10 years to become proficient in these individual techniques. Consider what you will have to learn for each technique?

1. Kumi kata for each technique.

2. The basic mechanics of the throw Inc. Kuzushi, Tsukuri and Kake.

3. Uchi Komi – static and on the move

4. Kata variations

5. Nage Komi

6. Competitive scenarios i.e. Left v Left, Right v Right, Right v Left

7. Movement and entry into the throw to make it happen

8. Counters

9. Combinations

10. Executing the throw in Randori

11. Executing the throw in shiai (competition)

12. Transition into Ne-waza

13. Special “Tricks” to make the throw work, feinting, twitching, scenario’s

As you can see (I may have misses other examples) there is a lot to consider when learning individual techniques and this takes time to become proficient. This is why judoka must be patient and not expect to be shown the technique a few times and then expect it to work. Maybe we as coaches dilute the learning process by trying to teach too much? You may find that when you become proficient in just a few techniques, others will follow more naturally and not take so much time to learn. To finish I will describe a scenario that gives you a taste of what I am talking about (not real but just something to think about).

“John” a young Englishman who is taking his training a bit more serious has been doing judo for 3 years and has managed to reach his 1st Kyu (brown belt), training regularly at his club and learning a new technique every other week and maybe knows 20 – 30 judo throws. He can demonstrate all the techniques he needs for the purpose of gaining his grade and syllabus. He feels really confident in his ability and feels good about his Judo. A visiting Judoka ” Kano” on holiday from Japan arrives at his club to participate in the class. John and Kano get talking in the changing room and John discovers that Kano has ben doing judo for around 3 years the same as him. He tells Kano that he is 1st Kyu and asks Kano how many judo techniques he has learned. Kano’s answer was “Just 2 throws” Seoi-Nage and Tai-O-Toshi and that he is still a white belt.

John is feeling good about himself and his ability as he knows way more throws than Kano and is looking forward to the randori session. However on the mat its a different story, Kano throws John all round the mat, using only 2 techniques, everyone of Johns many techniques is countered or defended or blocked.

So the old question remains – Is it all about quality rather than quantity ??????????

QUALITY

He has now been selected for the European u23 Championships from 18-20 November in Tyumen, Russia so we all wish him good look for this event.:)

I thought I would post today about a really brilliant session at Judo today. We had a visitor “Kiddo” who was a member of Wolverhampton’s famous BBoy  breakdancing crew. He came a few weeks earlier to look at some ideas around incorporating breakdancing movement into Judo to see if anything could help improve the players ability on the mat. Thinking outside the box can sometimes throw up something new and also gives the players a break from the normal routine. During the session we looked at ways of transitioning in ne-waza from an all fours kneeling position facing the floor (which is a poor defence in Judo), to an upright defensive position facing your opponent. I reckon we cut down this movement by at  least 1 or 2 seconds, which could prove crucial in a contest scenario. We also picked up some fantastic wrist strength and balancing exercises which I had never seen before. I have posted a video – OLD SCHOOL ! of our breakdancing friend in action, I wont tell you which one he is though

I feel that you should always be willing to try new ideas and look at other sports and activities to find a new edge. One other interesting sport that I feel would help Judoka is Boxing. Their direction of movement and they way they move their feet is definately something I want to have a look at in the future, so if there are any Boxers out there willing to offer some free advice, post me a message

Stewart, who also took bronze at the German Junior European Cup, was dominant as he coolly dispatched his first four opponents by ippon.

The -73kg judoka from Birmingham opened his campaign with a win over Tigran Galstian of Lithuania before overcoming Fagan Eminoglu from Azerbaijan.

A win over Tomer Zakeim followed and Vladimir Zoloev was Stewart’s next victim as he marched to the finalimperious fashion, winning by the maximum score and avoiding a single point being scored against him.

The final was a close contest as the British starlet met Ukraine’s Rufat Magomedov. Stewart searched for an opening and after falling behind by a waza-ari continued to press. The Ukrainian judoka was able to defend his lead for a narrow win as Stewart once again showed why he’s one of the most exciting and talented junior judokas in Europe.

Stewart said: “I’m pleased to win my first European medal and the fact that all my wins come by ippon and to get to the final has really given me confidence. I am slightly disappointed as I think I could have won it but overall I’m pleased.”

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Once again the 17-year-old from Lordswood Budokan in Birmingham was at the top of the medal rostrum, adding to his titles earned this year at the Coimbra and Kaunas Junior European Cups.

Stewart won all six of his fights in the -73kg competition, seeing off Nimrod Pinhas (ISR), Dus Ratkovic (CRO), Gabor Karpati (HUN) and Yert Torenov (KAZ) in the early rounds.

In the semi-final, Stewart beat Sagi Muki of Isreael for a place in the final, where he beat Igor Potpaparic of Slovenia for a well deserved gold medal.