Strategies for Improving the Nage-Waza Aspect of Randori?

[Fu Man]

As a newbie Judoka, the hardest aspect of Judo for me are the throwing techniques, or Nage-waza. To improve in this area, I am thinking of working on 5 hand picked throws that are suitable for my body type until I become very proficient at performing them. The other throws I will learn during of course of regular training at some point.

Is this strategy a good idea?

I do want to learn as much grappling techniques, Katame-waza, and striking techiques, Atemi-waza, as possible. However, when it comes to throws, I just cannot see myself being able to perform all 67 throws with confidence in Randori anytime soon. Hopefully, with years of practice and hard work, this will be possible, but not in the foreseeable future.

Ted

[superfighter]

Basically if i was you i wouldnt rush it, as you learn more and more throws and test them in randori you tend to get a feel for what throws are more suitable for you and what throws arent.

I wouldnt worry about using every 1 of the 67 throws in randori. at the end of the day, you want to win. so why bother trying to use throws that dont suit you. even all the top judoka have about 4 or 5 favourite throws that they reguarly use in competition and this is why they have been so sucessful

Sure in gradings they like to see you perform certain techniques against non resisting partners, to prove you actually know the technique. But it might be a technique you wouldnt even dream of using whilst fighting.

in my opinion, the spirit of judo is through competition, and the object is to win

[Fu Man]

even all the top judoka have about 4 or 5 favourite throws that they reguarly use in competition and this is why they have been so sucessful

Therefore, the strategy outlined in my initial post in sound?

Thanks,

Ted

[rb]

You will eventually develop a core of strong techniques after much practice. Something you should focus on more when starting out is getting the concepts down like breaking balance and mutual benefit.

[BDelich]

Hi Fu Man,

I mainly do Jujitsu, but I have practiced a great deal with Judoka. Most of them will pick one throw to work on for about 6 months to a year. When they can hit that throw whenever they like, they pick a new throw that they can use if they miss their first throw. The reason it boils down to 4/5 throws is because it is either a Te-waza, ashi-waza, koshi-waza, or sutemi waza.

happy falls!

Ben

[Fu Man]

Thanks for the feedback, Ben and RB.