Category Archives: Judo Coaching

Gaijin Teaches Judo in Japan

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During my trip to Japan in December 2010, I had the pleasure of visiting the Yamagata University Medical School Judo Club, coached by Dr. Hiroshi Takei, a former student of mine. In spite of the name, the club has a large children’s program in addition to the university players. I attended two practices.  Dr. Takei invited me to teach the last hour of the second practice. When I asked him what he would like me to cover, he half laughingly said, “Transitions,” an obvious choice.

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Where’s the Tai Sabaki?

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I’ve known this for many years, but it really hit me hard during the Winter Nationals Coach Education Course as I watched coaches running through Kelly’s Capers: we lack a basic understanding of tai sabaki (body movement) and the ability to perform it fluidly. When I say we, I mean coaches. Since coaches are supposed to be role models for their students, this presents a problem that needs to be addressed. If coaches can’t do proper tai sabaki or have no knowledge of it, how are their students supposed to learn these skills?

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Cold Feet, Booties, and Socks

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As I write this, I’m travelling in Japan. I’ve already taken in three days of the Tokyo Slam. Yesterday, I received a chiropractic massage from a traditional practitioner of Muso Taijutsu. And today, I climbed 1373 steps to reach the last shrine of Kotohiragu  in Kagawa Prefecture. I hope there is no Judo club nearby as I fear a crazy Judo coach might consider the ascent a great daily conditioning regimen for his high school Judo students.

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Getting Sensei to Change

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The 2010 USJA/USJF Winter Nationals Coach Certification Clinic is now history. According to our host, USJA President Gary Goltz, this was the best attended Winter Nationals coaching clinic. Since I was one of three clinicians, I can attest that our group was highly motivated, engaged, and eager to learn “new stuff.” Usually there is at least one naysayer present at all coaching clinics. That’s the guy who, no matter how much evidence is given to him, openly fights you tooth and nail when it comes to alternative methods of instruction. This time around, we had no naysayer, at least not an overt one. That’s progress.

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Connecting the Dots

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Recently, as part of a continuing education program I run for my assistant coaches as well as for outside coaches I mentor, I sent out an article entitled Preparing for the Attack: Hardening the Target, You. I asked the coaches to read the article and be prepared to talk about it the following week. I thought the article was relevant since it addressed among other things the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), combat, psychological control, and reality based training.

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