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It's important to get the fundamentals.
Single words (techniques) are good to learn a language at the beginning but you have to understand the grammar (principles) to become profound and fluent. Judo has a lot to do with learning by doing and is about the best use of Mind and Body and Energy in general.
Some advice for Judoka at the beginning and in general:
**Basics**
- good Judo is not about single techniques or tricks - it's about (using) principles
- learn all kind of break falls very well
- Judo is not about throwing - it's about moving centered and balanced
- prefer an upright natural posture (from where you can attack and defend easily)
- use your feet, legs and hips and not upper body strength
- in every technique you learn, try to apply it with the least strength as possible (minimum effort - maximum efficiency)
- move always balanced with your core, head over shoulders, shoulders over hips, hips (COG) within your feet (support of COG)
- breathe deep into your belly and not high and fast with your shoulders
- learn Judo first with a standard lapel and sleeve grip - grip fighting strategies are for later
- Judo throws are a lot about proper posture, proper moving, proper space and proper timing
- Kuzushi (unbalancing your opponent) should not be forced but created by moving (and posture/gripping)
- if you throw, do it fully hearted and decisive and control the throw to the very end
- if you are pushed - turn; if you are pulled - go to a diagonal
- know the transitions of your throwing techniques into groundwork
- Groundwork is an important part of Judo:, you can win contests by pins, locks, strangles and chokes
- go to contests (shiai) after you have learned the basics and the rules - it will test and sharpen your Judo
- if you (in some years) want to have success in higher level competition, you have to learn great defence
- to be physically in shape is important but most important is the best use of your mind (and heart)
- Progress in Judo is slow. Don't get discouraged after a few months. There are also periods, when you wont progress even if you try hard.
- *Learn from continuous practice* and from observing others
- Randori is not for your Ego - it's a possibility to experiment and learn good Judo for you and your partner
- be a good Uke for your training partners. Helps you also to have good Ukemi
- take care of your body, listen to it, dont cripple it, don't do silly things - Judo can be a lifelong activity
- if you are injured, don't stop to practice completely. Do what you can but also don't rush it.
- don't underestimate Kata - it is a tool to learn the principles and well rounded Judo
- respect your instructors and training partners, your opponents and the referees - you cant do Judo alone
- listen to your instructors, study good books on Judo (and try to write down your thoughts about Judo)
- watch out for great training partners (and instructors) and visit other clubs
- find your own style and way (don't try to be like x or y)
.
Single words (techniques) are good to learn a language at the beginning but you have to understand the grammar (principles) to become profound and fluent. Judo has a lot to do with learning by doing and is about the best use of Mind and Body and Energy in general.
Some advice for Judoka at the beginning and in general:
**Basics**
- good Judo is not about single techniques or tricks - it's about (using) principles
- learn all kind of break falls very well
- Judo is not about throwing - it's about moving centered and balanced
- prefer an upright natural posture (from where you can attack and defend easily)
- use your feet, legs and hips and not upper body strength
- in every technique you learn, try to apply it with the least strength as possible (minimum effort - maximum efficiency)
- move always balanced with your core, head over shoulders, shoulders over hips, hips (COG) within your feet (support of COG)
- breathe deep into your belly and not high and fast with your shoulders
- learn Judo first with a standard lapel and sleeve grip - grip fighting strategies are for later
- Judo throws are a lot about proper posture, proper moving, proper space and proper timing
- Kuzushi (unbalancing your opponent) should not be forced but created by moving (and posture/gripping)
- if you throw, do it fully hearted and decisive and control the throw to the very end
- if you are pushed - turn; if you are pulled - go to a diagonal
- know the transitions of your throwing techniques into groundwork
- Groundwork is an important part of Judo:, you can win contests by pins, locks, strangles and chokes
- go to contests (shiai) after you have learned the basics and the rules - it will test and sharpen your Judo
- if you (in some years) want to have success in higher level competition, you have to learn great defence
- to be physically in shape is important but most important is the best use of your mind (and heart)
- Progress in Judo is slow. Don't get discouraged after a few months. There are also periods, when you wont progress even if you try hard.
- *Learn from continuous practice* and from observing others
- Randori is not for your Ego - it's a possibility to experiment and learn good Judo for you and your partner
- be a good Uke for your training partners. Helps you also to have good Ukemi
- take care of your body, listen to it, dont cripple it, don't do silly things - Judo can be a lifelong activity
- if you are injured, don't stop to practice completely. Do what you can but also don't rush it.
- don't underestimate Kata - it is a tool to learn the principles and well rounded Judo
- respect your instructors and training partners, your opponents and the referees - you cant do Judo alone
- listen to your instructors, study good books on Judo (and try to write down your thoughts about Judo)
- watch out for great training partners (and instructors) and visit other clubs
- find your own style and way (don't try to be like x or y)
.
