Judo as a self defense system

[Kempohands]

There's Judo, Nick Cerio's Kenpo, TKD, Shotokan Karate, Oyama Karate, and that's about it. More posts would be appreciated if anyone has something to say. Thanks.

 

Do Cerio's Kenpo (no I'm not biased, what are you talking about? )

 

Back on topic: from what I've heard and the limited things I've seen (I'm sorry to say i don't have a very wide range of martial arts I've had experiance with or even seen in action) Judo's great against most people on the street. 90% of street fights end up in a wrestling match, and if you're any good at Judo you'll be able to take out your opponent so they won't even remember what happened. Like Shorinryu Sensei said, I don't think it would be as effective against a good striker. However, you should just go with your gut and train in what you like, loving what you do is what's important (to me atleast).

[Gumbi]

Many miscomceptions going on about Judo......

 

1.""It's not designed for defense against a puncher or kicker, or someone carrying a weapon""

 

Incorrect- many basic techniques taught are in themselves basic defenses to punches. In my opinion its easier to grab hold of a kicker than a puncher. Weapons I dont touch, because practically all of the defenses of just about all ma's are impractical.

 

2.""Well, judo is good against somebody that wants to grab you and/or take you to the ground. As far as I've seen, judo doesn't do any defenses at all for in regards to someone that stands back and punches at you and tries to keep their distance from you. ""

 

Its all about closing the distance, which is much easier to do than keeping the distance. There have been many matches between Judokas and standup fighters/strikers and the Judokas have almost always been on the winning end of the fight.

 

3.""Oh I see. Perhaps Judo may be good against your average street fighter, but maybe not against a trained striker. Interesting."""

 

Dont buy into what you're being told- lets talk extremes here as far as Judo vs striking.

 

Hidehiko Yoshida (of whom I am NOT a fan of) was a 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist in Judo. Not too long ago, he fought Wanderlei Silva, who's an accomplished Muay Thai fighter whos the Pride Middleweight Champion and arguable defeated top notch K-1 Kickboxer Mirko Cro Cop- safe to say he knows his Muay Thai.

 

It took approximately 10 seconds for the fight to hit the ground with a takedown from Yoshida. The fight would see one or two more takedowns off of nice hips throws by Yoshida, before Silva eventually took charge of the fight. Bear in mind however that Silva is an experienced BJJ fighter and quite adept at grappling himself.

 

If you rent a few of the earlier UFC's, you can also see Remco Pardoel throw a few guys (who were strikers) with some nice throws.

 

4.""By the way...do you know that judo means "gentle way"? Trust me...I sure haven't figured out where they get that from the local judo I've seen. These people grab you and slam you to the mat so friggin' hard...how do they figure that's gentle? ""

 

Yeah, talk about given someone a misconception- Judo certainly isnt "gentle" or nice to the body. I think the whole idea behind that is that you dont oppose strength with strength, but rather give way to strength in favor of technique, reducing the need for strength.

 

5.""I heard many people injure themselves practicing Judo.""

 

Well, injuries happen, but they're bound too when you're sparring 100% against one of your teammates. By increasing the intensity with which you train, you make for a much better training environment for practical application, but you have to take some of the bad with it- injuries will natrually occur when competing at full speed, theres no way around it. As far as serious injuries, they're not common, but certainly not uncommon.

[ravenzoom]

Great post Gumbi, you really seem to know a lot about Judo and you have informed me a lot. I have just returned from my first Judo class and I can say I enjoyed it a lot -except for my broken toe nail ouch! - but like you said when you spar chances are you will get hurt sometimes. I really do think I will continue doing Judo especially since you guys in general seem to say it IS street effective even against strikers. I know you need to enjoy what you are learning, but It's much more fun to learn something you know might be useful in real life.

[superfighter]

id definetly recommend taking up a striking art with it, whilst judo is great for grappling, most schools ive seen arent too concerned with striking.

 

but hey, learning how to deflect- defend strikes so you can move in to grappling range is a huge benefit. Becasue once youve grabbed them, there gonna have an unpleasent landing

[ravenzoom]

Ok, well would Wing Chun be a good complement to Judo to fill in its weaknesses. I did a few months of Wing Chun before moving here and I liked it. My plans are to move back there in 2 years so perhaps I could do 2 years of Judo here, and take on Wing Chun when I move back. What do you guys think? Or should I only concentrate on Judo and get proficient at it since I'm starting it here? Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

[SevenStar]

Well, judo is good against somebody that wants to grab you and/or take you to the ground. As far as I've seen, judo doesn't do any defenses at all for in regards to someone that stands back and punches at you and tries to keep their distance from you.

 

yes, it does - but it is taught in the form of kata, and kata is not learned until black belt typically. If you keep in mind that your goal is to eat up his space so that he can't strike you, you will fine PLENTY of strike defenses you can work on. For example, someone throws a haymaker. You step into him, jamming his space, effectively weakening any power his strike would have. As you step in, have your arm and shoulder high to block the strike and grab the cloth on the fold of the arm. If there is no cloth, grab the tricep. with the other arm, either grab cloth in the shoulder region, or if none is available just slam your forearm into his shoulder. Throw him with o soto gari.

 

Last year, one of the judo clubs I belong to gave a demonstration. One of the segments I did involved self defense against strikes. As it was a demo, we rehearsed the strikes and responses, but to add more of a realism feel for all, I told him to throw then in any order he wished, and I would respond. The result was several people interested in the self defense aspect of judo.

 

 

By the way...do you know that judo means "gentle way"? Trust me...I sure haven't figured out where they get that from the local judo I've seen. These people grab you and slam you to the mat so friggin' hard...how do they figure that's gentle?

 

lol, true. My thinking is that the nature of the set up is gentle. Judo's main principle is "maximum efficiency with minimum effort". So, if you are pushing me, then the easiest way for me to throw you is to pull you and allow you to go the direction your body is already headed. That softness is "gentle".

 

I think it's also "dentle" in that it emphasizes throwing/restraining, which is gentle, when compared to striking. Considering that kano was a pacifist, this makes sense.

[1kickKO]

As for effectiveness I think judo throws are great, but not all of them work ALL of the time, but that goes for any martial art.

[SevenStar]

naturally. None of them will work all of the time. Some are easier to set up than others, giving them a higher chance of working. But none will work all of the time.

[1kickKO]

agreed.

[krzychicano]

Judo is very effective like any other martial art if used properly.