Reasons to choose Judo (Much like my Aikido thread)

[-=|§ØÛ£|=-]

Once again, just to let you know, this isn't one of those "Which Martial Art is better, blah, blah, blah" kind of thread. I want to know some insider's opinions on what makes their art great and not so great. If you can reccomend me a thread that's already covered this topic, like aikiMac (Thanks again) on the Aikido topic, it'd be much appreciated.

[saikyou]

if you like grappling more than striking then judo is for you. Judo is also good for self-defense purposes.

[DeepFreeze]

- Every single move you are taught, you can execute with maximum power and safely. Unlike many combat arts where you have to just keep hitting and kicking the air.

- In Judo, you can execute all the moves to Uke, and see the results for yourself.

- Judo is also very physical, since you have to do everything with a partner. Meaning that your muscles are exposed to more practise. In other words, you get in good shape.

- Due to the constant combatting you have to do in every practise, your reflexes and muscle-memory keeps improving.

- The way of thinking you learn from judo, helps in every day life.

- Self control. I used to be quite hotheaded before starting Judo. The fact that I could battle on the tatami nearly every day, took away my aggressions.

- Health. Through Judo you learn healthier ways of living, aswell as getting good exercise.

- Self defence. On the first glance, it might be hard to believe. "But you cant even hit or kick the guy!". Correct, but Judo teaches a less violent way, and a way to end the fight without having to beat the other guy into bloody pulp. It is much safer to lock, choke or controlledly trip or throw the guy to the ground, and hold him there until help arrives, or he calms down. (This is a good way to avoid getting jailed aswell ;) )
as I already mentioned that all the moves you are taught can be executed with maximum power, thus meaning you will learn how they work for real.

- Fits for all. Everyone can practise judo. From 4-year old to the grave. Only the pace of the practise changes in between.

Oh well, I will come up with more but here are few I could think of in 5 mins.

[Adam]

- Judo is great fun! :D

but as far as self defence is concerned, I believe there are better arts out there based on my experience with judoka. It's a mentality thing.

[DeepFreeze]

Better? How?
Self defence is all about the person. The martial art itself doesnt really matter that much, but HOW you use it. And how well you can use it. On other hand, completely untrained people can beat up martial artists.
Like I said, it's not about WHAT you use, but HOW :)

And I never really said judo is the greatest form of self defence. I merely stated that it is one form of it. Form which I like. It has helped me to prevent numerous flammable situations when people have behaved aggressively, maybe attacked a bit, and I have ended it quickly by armlocking them and waiting them to cool off. (Ok ok, twice :p )
And with that, no harm was done. Unlike what would have happened if I would have started all-around fight with them.

[saikyou]

I agree with DeepFreeze. :) in a self-defense situation, you dont need to start those big fights like in the movies. your first goal is to finish the fight as early as possible to stop the occurence of a brawl.

[judojedi]

i've found that judo teaches you respect for people.
when i first started i got beat by a girl who was younger than me. it happened more than once. now as a 21yo, there is a 16yo girl who i cant beat. true she is national team but in the street i wouldn't of given her any credit as a fighter if i didn't know her.

people always say 'leave your ego at the door' when entering grappling clubs. its good advice.

you hear alot about street fighters beating karate black belts in a street fight (well i hear it alot) but i never hear of a judoka or sambo player or wrester being beat in a street fight. i think its because we don't get involved in these things to often.

judo IMO, is one of the better arts because you have to control your partner/foe to win, where as hard style arts, you only have to control yourself. our club has an affiliated shotokan club and we go down there and they come up here for a bit of cross training from time to time. even their finest fighters, when grappling, cannot help but have their body be controled by the judoka. when we are fighting their rules however, although it looks like we are keeping up, with the kicking and punching and blocking, they are only playing with us. but, fighting against karate, you could run to safety, fighting against judo though you can't run once we've got hold of you.

besides all that, as adam said, its just great fun.

[saikyou]

Originally posted by judojedi
fighting against judo though you can't run once we've got hold of you. I sparred with a friend and that is what he exactly told me. :)(I was flattered)

yeah, I was also defeated by a relatively small opponent. about a half of my size in randori. :)

[judojedi]

saikyou,
dont you just hate it when smaller people beat you? i love to watch my little neice get the better of boys bigger and stronger that her, but i cannot stand it when someone smaller catches me. we live and learn.

[-=|§ØÛ£|=-]

Thanks for all the great info. Doesn't Judo also help you with balance? I have a coupe more questions. Should I take Judo then some for of Karate or Boxing to learn how to punch a bit (I find it hard to believe I'll always be able to throw someone)?

[saikyou]

Originally posted by -=|§ØÛ£|=-
(I find it hard to believe I'll always be able to throw someone)?

why?

[-=|§ØÛ£|=-]

You mean to say they'll always be open? No matter what? maybe that is possble, but I can't believe it because of my lack of experience, but still.

[saikyou]

Originally posted by judojedi
saikyou,
dont you just hate it when smaller people beat you? i love to watch my little neice get the better of boys bigger and stronger that her, but i cannot stand it when someone smaller catches me. we live and learn.

yeah. but its ok to be defeated. I always reflect on the stuffs that I did then find the faults.

[saikyou]

Originally posted by -=|§ØÛ£|=-
You mean to say they'll always be open? No matter what? maybe that is possble, but I can't believe it because of my lack of experience, but still. You're talking about throws right? In judo, one of the stuffs that we focus on is the opportunity for the throw. Even if your opponent has a tight defense, you can still find the opportunity to throw him. opportunity is your way to throw an opponent.

[-=|§ØÛ£|=-]

I see. Sorry it took so long for me to respond, but I;m gonna have to go to bed soon. I guess to understand what you're talking about I'd have to take Judo and learn this stuff.

And yes, i was talking about throws.

[saikyou]

Originally posted by -=|§ØÛ£|=-
I see. Sorry it took so long for me to respond, but I;m gonna have to go to bed soon. I guess to understand what you're talking about I'd have to take Judo and learn this stuff.

And yes, i was talking about throws.

that's ok:)

To help you understand the meaning of opportunity in judo, here is an example:

Opportunity for Hiza Guruma(Knee Wheel)
As your opponent steps forward with his right leg, instead of stepping back with your left leg, you step out to the left, possibly even slightly toward them. Then, as their right leg comes forward, you block his knee with your right foot and pull to the right and down with your right arm and to the right and up with your left arm. The result is that he pivots over your foot to the ground.

The moment that he steps forward with his right leg is your opportunity. You will learn to catch that split-second moment in judo.:)
http://www.judoonline.de/bilder/wuerfe_hiza-guruma-2.jpg
here is a pic of this throw to help you more.
also, thanks for your interest in Judo.

[-=|§ØÛ£|=-]

Actually, I want to stick with kuk Sool Won, because it contains some Judo. But I don't know if I can. But if not, then Judo is going to be my first pick. I've never been more fascenated with any other aspect of any martial art than the throws and takedowns (Unless you count Jackie Chan doing flips and jumping right into a sweep under the guy's legs after he lands O_O).

[saikyou]

Originally posted by -=|§ØÛ£|=-
(Unless you count Jackie Chan doing flips and jumping right into a sweep under the guy's legs after he lands O_O).

have a pic of that? :)

[hkphooey]

Originally posted by -=|§ØÛ£|=-
Thanks for all the great info. Doesn't Judo also help you with balance? I have a coupe more questions. Should I take Judo then some for of Karate or Boxing to learn how to punch a bit (I find it hard to believe I'll always be able to throw someone)?
You should take up a striking art to make you a more well rounded fighter. If you have the access and the time to do both then why not. The only thing your going to do is improve your abilities.

[-=|§ØÛ£|=-]

No, I don't have a pic of that exact move -.-
But youve seen some of the high flying action stunts he does.

[binski20]

I have not studied judo yet, but am looking strongly towards it right now.
As some people have said, it is an art which you can practice at nearly full strength. How many other arts do so? There are some, but not all.
I will not give credit to the notion of "95%" of fights going to the ground or whatever it is that circulates around. Bottom line though, is that if it gets close enough to grapple, throw and/or fight on the ground, I hope you know what you are doing. If not, you are likely going to learn a quick lesson.

Anyway, I chose to respond to this because I am likely choosing judo and wanted to explain why. I feel it can be effective. Will I go into a bar and take on 3 guys? Lemme think about that.....ummm no. If a guy attacks, will I be able to do something?
Depends of course. If he cheapshots me, or jumps from behind, the cards are already against me. It is just like any other art. Learn what you can, and more importantly, learn how to use it on the street if you ever intend to do so.

[-=|§ØÛ£|=-]

True words my friend. I love to watch throws be done. To me there is just this whole hidden art to it.

[saikyou]

Originally posted by -=|§ØÛ£|=-
True words my friend. I love to watch throws be done. To me there is just this whole hidden art to it.

download this:
various throws (http://www.judoinfo.com/video/2003/DUBAISPORTS-VARIOS-PARIS2003.WMV)

[-=|§ØÛ£|=-]

Hey, thanks a lot man.

[cal_JJJ]

Thanks Saikyou, That was a great download!

I really like that Tomoa Nage towards the end. Thats the way I always pictured that it would go if you tried to pull it of in a SD situation, but he hung in there and pulled it off dispite his opponants efforts to get off.

[saikyou]

yeah its a nice video. its a quick download too.:D

[-=|§ØÛ£|=-]

Ude Gaeshi and Kami Basami are my favorites.

[saikyou]

too bad, kani basami is forbidden in competitions.

my favorite throws are Kata Guruma, Harai Goshi (Makikomi), and O Guruma. :D

[iron_mick]

saikyou, do you know any judo classes near the alabang area? where do you study judo?

[saikyou]

got this from www.lessons.ph

NAME: The Little Gym
LOCATION: (Alabang) Level 3,Festival Supermall,Filinvest Corporate City,Muntinlupa CONTACT NOS. Tel.850-40-60/850-40-61
SCHEDULES: call for information
PROGRAMS: Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, Gymnastics
RECOMMENDED AGE: all ages