FAQ

Q. What should I wear?

A. For your first few lessons you will need to wear loose fitting track suit bottoms, a sweat shirt or similar, No hard or metal objects i.e.: jewellery or hair bands.

There is no need to wear a Judo suit (Gi) to your first few lessons,
Whilst relatively cheap (club can purchase cheaper) it is best to find out if your child likes the sport before going to the expense of buying a Judo Gi.

Q. What are the main principles of learning Judo?

A. Using the least amount of effort to achieve the greatest results.

Q. Where did Judo come from?

A. Modern Judo is based on the traditional Jujutsu fighting and self-defence techniques of Japan.

Q. What is the purpose in learning Judo?

A. The development of character, mind, and body so that one can contribute something of value to the world.

Q. What are some of the working principles of Judo?

A. The use of balance and off-balancing. The use of leverage to achieve greater power. Taking advantage of the opponent's strength. Taking advantage of the opponent's weaknesses. The value of yielding and giving way. The proper application of timing, momentum and force.

Q. When and where did Judo begin?

A. Judo was first officially taught at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, Japan in 1882.

Q. Who created Judo?

A. Professor Jigoro Kano (1860-1938).

Q. What must every beginner learn about Judo?

A. How to fall (ukemi) and the rules of safety and courtesy.

Q. What is kuzushi?

A. Breaking the balance of an opponent.

Q. What are some of the ways kuzushi can be achieved?

A. Hands: pushing and pulling.
Feet: for example, blocking the opponent from stepping forward.
Body: bending, pivoting, twisting or bumping the opponent to unbalance.

Q. What types of Judo techniques are there?

A. Nage waza (throwing techniques), Katame waza (grappling techniques).

Q. What are the types of Judo throws?

A. Te waza - hand and arm techniques
   Koshi waza - hip techniques
   Ashi waza - foot and leg techniques
   Ma sutemi waza - rear sacrifice techniques
   Yoko sutemi waza - side sacrifice techniques

Q. What is a combination throw (renraku waza)?

A. A series of attempted throws in which the last one is successful.

Q. What is a counter throw (kaeshi waza)?

A. A throw that is executed in answer to a throw attempted by the opponent, taking advantage of the opponent's movements or the loss of balance involved in his throw.

Q. What are the types of grappling techniques (katame waza)?

A. Osae waza - hold downs
Shime waza - choking and strangling techniques
Kansetsu waza - arm bars and joint locking techniques

Q. Who are tori and uke and what do they do?

A. Tori is the person executing a technique such as a throw, while uke is the person receiving the technique.

Q. What are the main methods of Judo training or practice?

A. Kata - formal exercise.
   Uchi komi - repetitive throwing practice.
   Randori - free practice.
   Shiai - contest

Q. What is kata?

A. Formal techniques. Nage no kata (throwing techniques), Katame no kata (grappling techniques).

Q. When did Judo become an Olympic sport?

A. 1964 for men and 1992 for women.

Terminology

Some of the words you are liable to hear in judo (don't worry you don't have to learn them all)

Ai-yotsu	-	Same grip used by both persons, either right or left	Migi	-	Right
Ashi	-	Foot, leg	Mune	-	Chest
Ashi Waza	-	Foot techniques	Nage	-	Throw
Atemi Waza	-	Striking techniques	Nage no Kata	-	Forms of throwing
Ayumi Ashi	-	Ordinary pattern of walking	Nagekomi	-	Repetitive throwing practice
Budo	-	Martial arts	Nage Waza	-	Throwing techniques
Chui	-	Penalty (Caution)	Ne Waza	-	Techniques on the ground
Dan	-	Black belt rank	Obi	-	Judo belt
Dojo	-	Training hall	Osaekomi	-	Hold down
Eri	-	Collar, lapel	Osaekomi Waza	-	Holding techniques
Fusen Gachi	-	Win by default	Osaekomi Toketa	-	Escape from hold
Goshin Jutsu Waza	-	Self defense techniques	Randori	-	Free practice
Hajime	-	Begin	Rei	-	Bow
Hansokumake	-	Penalty (Disqualification)	Renraku Waza	-	Combination techniques
Hantei	-	Referee / judge's decision	Ritsurei	-	Standing bow
Hidari	-	Left	Seiza	-	Formal kneeling posture
Hiji	-	Elbow	Sensei	-	Teacher, instructor
Hiki-wake	-	Draw	Shiai	-	Contest
Hiza	-	Knee	Shido	-	Penalty (Note)
Ippon	-	Full point	Shime Waza	-	Choking techniques
Jigotai	-	Defensive posture	Shintai	-	Moving
Jikan	-	Referee call to stop the clock	Shisei	-	Posture
Jime	-	Strangle or choke	Shizentai	-	Natural posture
Joseki	-	Place of honour, upper seat	Sode	-	Sleeve
Judo	-	Gentle way	Sono Mama	-	Freeze – DO NOT move
Judogi	-	Judo suit	Sore Made	-	Finished
Judoka	-	One who practices Judo	Sutemi Waza	-	Sacrifice techniques
Ju no Kata	-	Forms of gentleness	Tachi Waza	-	Standing techniques
Jujutsu	-	Gentle art	Tatami	-	Mat
Kaeshi Waza	-	Counter techniques	Te	-	Hand, arm
Kansetsu Waza	-	Joint locking techniques	Te Waza	-	Hand techniques
Katsu	-	Resuscitation techniques	Tori	-	Attacker or person initiating a technique
Kata	-	Forms	Tsugi Ashi	-	Walking by bringing one foot up to another
Kata	-	Shoulder	Tsukuri	-	Entry into a technique, positioning
Katame no kata	-	Hold down techniques	Uchikomi	-	Repeated practice to the point of throw
Keikoku	-	Penalty (Warning)	Ude	-	Arm
Kime no Kata	-	Form of attack and defence	Uke	-	Person receiving the technique
Kinshi Waza	-	Techniques prohibited in competition	Ukemi	-	Break fall
Kodansha	-	High ranking judoka -- 5th dan and above	Ushiro	-	Backward, rear
Kodokan	-	Judo institute in Tokyo where Judo was founded	Ushiro Ukemi	-	Backward break fall
Kogeki-Seyo	-	Request for judoka to be more active	Waki	-	Armpit
Koka	-	Quarter point (3 points)	Waza	-	Technique
Koshi	-	Hip	Waza Ari	-	Near ippon or near point (7 points)
Koshi Waza	-	Hip techniques	Waza ari Awasete Ippon	-	Two waza-ari equals an ippon (10 points)
Kubi	-	Neck	Yoko	-	Side
Kumikata	-	Gripping methods	Yoko Ukemi	-	Sideways break fall
Kuzure	-	Reverse hold	Yoko Sutemi Waza	-	Side sacrifice throws
Kuzushi	-	Unbalancing the opponent	Yoko Ukemi	-	Side break fall
Kyu	-	Student rank	Yoshi	-	Resume action, continue
Mae	-	Forward, front	Yudansha	-	Person who earned the black belt
Mae Ukemi	-	Forward break fall	Yuko	-	Score half point (5 points)
Masutemi Waza	-	Rear sacrifice throws	Yusei Gachi	-	Win by judge's decision
Matte	-	Stop	Zarei	-	Kneeling bow