Starting First Judo Class

[NightOwl]

Finally got it! The trick was that I wasn't getting the footing down right. I'll try to explain it:

Beforehand I was stepping forward with my right/turning and stepping in/ and then trying to get the throw. However when I turned into the guy my left foot was always either in front of my right or parallel (which was supposed to be ok but it wasn't working for me). Yesterday I was shown it again, except this time he mentioned that it was alright if your left foot was slightly behind your right. Anyhow, instead of focusing on getting my feet lined up perfectly, I just let my left foot slide back (which also helped get my hips in better). For some reason or another, this made a world of difference and I could pull it off- granted, on a fully compliant partner but I am accepting any victories that come.

[ps1]

All Right!! Glad to hear you figured it out! Keep us posted on your progress.

[bushido_man96]

That's great, NightOwl. I tried to hoist a taller class mate in a throw like that, and had a heck of a time. Now granted, I am not a Judo thrower, so that could be part of it. However, if I used my left leg, and kicked it back, it helped me to throw him. Much like one of the throws that they demonstrated on the Judo episode of The Human Weapon.

[NightOwl]

Hey- can anyone help a brother out with tips on sweeps? I'm thinking stuff of the hizaguruma variety, etc. Also I was wondering what in people's experiences has been the learning curve for judo?

Oh- also some late news- awhile back they had a ton of international trainees left over from the international Judo cup (I think that it is the name...it's the biggest judo competition). It was pretty interesting- literally the best in the world although I could have done with out the extra crowding (I even got to see the whole Jamaican Women's Judo team!). Frankly it was a bit intimidating. Since most of the guys are up for the Olympics, either they were in the best shape I've ever seen or were so big that nobody would ever even think of telling them about the new south beach diet. There was also an almost palatable sense of dislike and rivalry in the air, but that's sportsmanship.

The Kodoan also had a special free training camp for about a week or so this month- starting at 6:30 am. I went to the first class which meant catching the 4:20am train and getting about 4 hours of sleep in the process. What followed was probably the best class I have yet taken, and I even ran into a red belt as well as a high ranking American who happened to be from my home state. Got my first randori as well...I'd rather not talk about that though. Unfortuately I had a final to take at school right afterwards and the whole affair ended with me getting VERY sick. Would I go through it again? You bet. At 3:00 pm.

[bushido_man96]

Man, that sounds cool, NightOwl. Lots of experience to pull from on that day, for sure.

[ps1]

Wow! That's such an awesome training experience! Very cool. I have a friend who's about to test for green belt in Judo. He prefers not to talk about his randori sessions also (most of his partners have been doing it much longer than him)

As far as hiza guruma goes. I always had trouble with that throw. I've found the others to be great for combinations, but generally not good as throws themselves. I will admit, however, my judo training is very limited. I always had to use the stuff in the context of Aiki Jujitsu. So I had the benefit of striking to assist me in kazushi.

[NightOwl]

Right- the times I have seen hiza guruma used effectively have usually been when it is used in a combination. The problem though (IMO), is that it is taught as one of the beginner techniques, yet takes a bit more strategy and timing to set up then a lot of the throws. Another thing I was shown briefly on request by the guy I was sparring was morote gari (double leg). However the way the guy talked about it it seemed that it was sort of a 'forbidden' technique. He said that I shouldn't really use it in practice because the sensei might get mad. Have you ever heard of this being 'taboo' before? I really want to learn it...