From time to time, I have fathers with little or no Judo background who insert themselves into their child’s Judo training. They’re well-meaning, perhaps a bit overly-involved in their child’s sport experience, and usually create problems for the coaching staff and by extension the child they seek to help. This problem is not unique to Judo. It’s pervasive anytime sports and fathers come together.
I just finished my cardio workout, which as usual consisted of riding my mountain bike around my neighborhood, and in particular through one of our community sports parks with baseball fields. Observing baseball kids in inactivity for 95% of the time they’re on the field has encouraged me to say that we in Judo are missing the boat on the powers of our sport, especially when it comes to physical education benefits.
I’ve been absent for the last three weeks for a good reason. Last weekend, I celebrated my club’s 40th anniversary, and by extension my 40 years as a Judo coach. We held a bash at our club for the occasion. Past and present members showed up for a great reunion that featured a nostalgic slideshow, empowering speeches, renewed friendships, and lots of food.
One of the last questions I posed my daughter Valerie when I interviewed her for the Outgrowing the Garage post I wrote two weeks ago was, “What words of wisdom would you have for anyone who wanted to start teaching Judo?” Her response surprised me a little, but it made sense.
Over the years, I’ve had many inquiries about starting a Judo club from scratch. My first impulse is to encourage coaches to start in a garage and then move into bigger facilities once membership can sustain the overhead. And that’s what SoCal Judo did in Temecula, California.
I’ve been working on developing a character development and leadership program for my juniors. As a U.S. Marine, I remember the core values that made me a Marine- honor, courage, commitment. Since I don’t really have time to reinvent the wheel, I am liberally borrowing from Marine Corps character and leadership principles.