Just when I thought we had seen the end to the political games being played by members of the USJA Board of Directors, reality quickly reared its ugly head again. In a last minute gambit to protect her presidency, AnnMaria DeMars nominated Jim Pedro as vice-president and forced him to accept being nominated in spite of declining three times to accept it! More surprisingly, and shamefully in my opinion, a majority of board members voted for Pedro rather than Gary Goltz, the former USJA COO. Goltz remains a board member and yields as much influence as he would have as vice-president. So the shenanigans to unseat him as an officer of the corporation may come back to bite DeMars in the butt, which won’t help USJA’s image or reassure marginal members like me.
Speaking of Jim Pedro, at present he remains the chairman of the Coach Education Committee (CEC). When he was given this position four years ago, I predicted that he would not move the program forward. So far, I’m right. We have no manual, no syllabus, and no standards. What we do have is a series of clinics that according to many has little relevance to teaching beginning and intermediate Judo. Teaching our coaches how to grip better and do a rolling juji gatame will not make a big dent in our coaches’ abilities to teach Judo. They need pedagogy and methodology more than they need to learn more Judo techniques although that is obviously very important.
Pedro is one of our most successful international coaches, but he is sadly miscast not only as a vice-president but also as the chairman of the CEC. Pedro should be working with our elite players and coaches as chairman of the Development Committee. Unfortunately for the USJA, AnnMaria DeMars has made the Development Committee her personal possession, which leaves Pedro stuck with the CEC.
CEC member Bill Montgomery presented an outline of plans he and I have developed for the coaching program. I had recommended to him that we adopt Successful Coaching as our manual, and that we develop an Internet-based testing and informational site to make it easy to provide our coaches with the teaching tools they need. Pedro and DeMars seem happy with the program we currently have, so we’re not sure what will happen to our vision. Clearly, the USJA doesn’t have a comprehensive coaching program today. Will the new HGH board recognize this and act accordingly? I hope so.
Bill Montgomery presenting Successful Coaching
USJA promotions to high dan rank have been out of whack for close to twenty years. In spite of statements in the last four months that the USJA was going to make it more difficult to attain high dan ranks, the promotion committee keeps spitting them out. Montgomery, who is also a USJA board member, has called for a moratorium on high dan promotions for a few months until we can come up with performance standards that go along with the technical requirements we already have. I think it’s a good idea, but so far it’s been ignored. The promotion crisis is akin to a government entitlement program. Once unmerited high dan promotions are handed out like candy, it becomes hard to reel them in. New standards of promotion will be fought tooth and nail, but we must come to our senses and right this wrong.
Montgomery and I believe we need some honesty in the promotion system. Terminal rank should be determined by your level of performance (i.e. local, national, international) as a player, competitor or coach. We need to start accepting the fact that most of us should end our Judo careers as 5th dan, not 7th or 8th dan. All technical testing should stop at 5th dan. If you don’t know it by that rank, you’ll never know it. And frankly, how many people actually get tested or are physically capable of being tested for those high dan ranks? Promotions to sixth dan and above should be based on the level at which you operate or operated as a player, competitor or coach.
I thought the National Coaches Conference had a good variety of information both in the classroom and on the mat. The only negative was that it was poorly attended, especially for the on-the-mat presentations. I was disappointed to see that many who had been around for the board meeting and the morning classroom sessions had better things to do than get on the mat for the practical on-the-mat stuff in the afternoon. Some caught early flights out, but several little rascals were enjoying the casino or watching the football playoffs instead. Shame on you guys! One recommendation for future clinics and conferences is to have a standard survey to evaluate the presentations and the information provided.
I read your comments and have some of my own. I agree with what you are saying concerning the coaching program. It is very difficult for a lot of people to attend coaching clinics on opposite coasts of the USA. Some type of internet setup and testing would be a lot better. ANd that’s just me and my opinion. Why not? You can get a Phd online without ever setting foot in a classroom and it’s just as valid as any other Phd as long as the online school is accrediated. Concerning promotion; I disagree with you. I know for a fact that ALL Judo orgs including the Kodokan hand out ranks based on politics. The only way we can change the giving away ranks is eliminating any rank after 6th Dan. But that will never happen. The Kodokan promotes undeserving people and passes over deserving people everytime there is a promotion announcement for high dans. I know 2 Japanese men who deserve 7th Dan and have been passed over repeatedly, their crime? They don’t set at the same Sake table with Daigo Sensei, this is a true story. And it goes back to this, I got my rank, to hell with you. The old promo board members would say, I don’t like that person because they don’t do this or that to my liking. And why are you stirring the pot again by saying things about the new leadership already. If you are so fired up about fixing things, why don’t you take the lead and fix them yourself. I read your blogs and it seems to me you have a one sided mind and something against women, what is it? Do you feel threatened. What’s wrong with women having their own tournament? Did you lose money? Why should you care, this is America not the Middle East where women have no say in anything. I think you need to reassess your values and comments. Again these are my opinions and mine alone.
If we eliminate rank beyond 6th dan why not be bolder? Let’s eliminate all dans and just have one black belt. This will take care of the politics of Judo promotion.
I was at the board meeting of the USJA. Were you? Did you see the backstabbing that went on? I did. Promises made prior to the election have already been broken. So, it’s politics as usual and that’s disappointing.
As far as fixing things, my main concern is to save what can be a great coaching program. As a member of the Coach Education Committee, that’s precisely what I am working on now. You just don’t know what I am doing behind the scenes with other club leaders who care about making Judo better, not political power.
I have three daughters- one a 2x Olympian in Judo and another one ranked #2 in the U.S. at 52kg who will be competing in Paris this weekend. So please don’t suggest that I have something against women. I obviously was not clear about why I don’t support a stand-alone All Women’s Championships. The resources spent on such a small segment of our small Judo population makes no sense. Since I do believe in the concept behind the tournament, I would suggest that All Women’s Championships be held in conjunction with existing tournaments to use our already insufficient resources more effectively. And more importantly, I think the concept of the All Women’s Championships should be applied across the board for all Judoplayers.
Again I don’t understand why you have such negatisms towards certain events. Why does it matter to you if someone desires to hold a tournament and target a specific group. Do you have anything against the masters tournaments? And now the IJF is backing their version calling it veterans. So what if women want to hold their own. Men and women don’t compete against each other anyway so what harm does it do. Insufficient resources? If a group decides to hold the tourny what does it cost you personally? Aren’t they doing what Judo is all about instilling unity and goals towards self improvement? Martial Art rank is the most sought after goal of all martial artists, and the ones that say they aren’t looking for a higher rank is not telling the truth. Why have rank at all, why have high school diplomas or college degrees, because it is a goal someone strives to reach. You mentioned 3 areas that should be considered for high dan, what if a person teaches and trains in Judo for 40 years. And they follow the guidelines laid out by all 3 Judo orgs, after passing the written exam and practical test they pass everything. ANd now it’s up to a board to determine if they are worthy. They have all of the points, they run a club and have a decent membership and support Judo all around. And they are very proficient at Kata and meet all of the Kata requirements. But they are told you can’t go past 5th Dan anymore unless you have been a great competitor, great coach or just all around good old boy. And we don’t promote those people who haven’t produced champions. Why does Judo always have to be centered around competition? The promotion board was like that before Phil Porter and has been like that even before the USJA was the AFJA.
No I wasn’t at the meeting, I had other responsibilities to attend to. I do know this, if you are insistent that it takes an act of congress for a deserving long time Judo teacher who does everything by the book you will drive people away. Look at it this way and this may sound ridiculous but it’s the truth. The next time you are around a bunch of high Dan Judoka’s ask your self this, how many of them are truly the rank they hold. And how do you measure the quality of high Dans? You know as well as I do that there are certain 1st Dans that could drop 3rd and 4th Dans without working up a sweat. I was away from the Judo mainstream for a long time and focused on Jujutsu, not the ground fighting Brazilian stuff, but standup Jujutsu. I enjoyed myself as did my students and friends. We also had a Judo class and processed ranks and other things through the USJA & USJF. And for those who wanted Kodokan or other recognition like the Butokai or something along those lines we did it. It was a great time. ANd several years ago I came back online to see how things are going in the 3 Judo org movements. Some changes, the biggest is the kinship the JA&JF have, I thought it was about time. And then along comes the USJI, they have their own agenda. So I have come to the conclusion that if you don’t like the way things are going why don’t you go affiliate with the USJI? I am sure they would welcome you with open arms and the way you seek to stir up things. One thing I agree with you on, if at Godan you don’t know the techniques how did you make it all the way to Yondan? I think that emphasis should be placed on greater learning of Kata and combination of techniques starting at Sandan. That’s what Karate does, and their system works. They copied Kano’s rank style and it seems to be the one thing the higher Karate student strives for, perfection in Kata, not competition. I know because I am ranked in Okinawan Karate as well.
Correct me if I’m wrong, aren’t you a 7th Dan? Do you think that you are truthfully Shicihidan qualified? How do you calibrate your skill level?
Lastly, I know you didn’t get to where you are by sitting on your knees in the Dojo, and you deserve the respect you have earned by your accomplishments, your children are a prime example of your desires.
When you have too few people having to choose between too many events to attend, all-around poor attendance is the consequence. This is what happens when you have masters only or women only events in addition to all the all-encompassing events like senior nationals or the E level events. Who in the world benefits from that? Since you bring up masters only events, note that the masters attendance at the Senior Nationals has been going down over the last few years. It could be because more and more people are irritated with USA Judo, or it might be because we’ve had a plethora of masters only events that dilutes the pot of potential participants.
I’m a 6th dan, not a 7th dan. In fact, most people think I’m a higher rank than I am. That says something, although I am not yet sure what.
Please see latest on IJF rules:
http://www.acapela.tv/good-old-times-101184325_c0feee57a65a7.html
In every organization there is a level of corruption, a level of deceit and a level of lies. The USJA is no different. Power corrupts…
While I have no reason not to believe that this lastest coup was an attempt to push through an agenda, I wish the new board luck. Buracracy is what keeps things running. It’s the Katrina Davis’s of the organization that makes USJA what it is, not the Ann Marie’s or Gary Goltz’s.
With Hi Dan promotions: I agree with Mr Sato. In order to understand this, the USJF has promoted how many Black People to 6th Dan or Higher? You only need 1 hand. The USJA has 2 9th Dans of color. How many has USJI promoted? You get the picture.
The problem is that there is NO SET STANDARD across the board. I have forgotten more Judo than a lot of 7th and 8th Dans in this country.
Everyone of the USJA Board is guilty of this, so you do not have to look far to cast dispersions…
One of Gary Goltz’s Judokas (friend) went from Godan in Oct 2001 to Rokudan in 2008. Was he an Elite Player? No. How did he get promoted? Because Gary was the COO. Look at his website and you’ll see a ton of Rokudan Promotions for several of his people. Do you really think they went to the entire promotion process? Please…
Charlie Robinson wrote an article in the lastest USJA publication. He talked about promoting the long forgotten members.
The one thing I agree with is that Mr. Gerald Lafon needs to become a Board Member of the USJA and USJI. I’ll vote for you!!!
I think your idea about stopping promotions past shodan is a great one.
Let’s have the USJA establish a relationship with the USJF and the Kodokan whereby they would establish the upper Dan requirements and administer the testing.
Remove all possibility that the USJA itself is handing out rank to the undeserving.
All this said, you seem to have a real problem with the fact your side lost the BOD election.
Much of what you are complaining about sound like nothing but sour grapes.
Your comments about stand alone tournaments have valid points. But when a certain group of people who share the same interests want to hold an event for themselves there is nothing wrong with that. Everyone wants to be an individual, thats what makes this country so great. If the USJA decided not to sanction certain events such as women only or masters, the event would be held regardless.
For that matter why even have age and weight categories? Have only 3 divisions for men and women. White, Brown & Black Belt. Just like the old Japanese schools use to teach. As long as there are people who create turmoil and dissent there will be problems in Judo, not just USJA. And will you seek higher rank? If not why even have that rank? Just like a person who goes to college and wants to seek higher degrees, why? For self improvement and a better way of life. The same with any martial art rank, self improvement and a desire to give back to the community.
My comments have nothing to do with sour grapes or because my side lost the BOD elections. In fact, my side won the elections. What I dislike, what we all dislike, is the dishonesty and unethical behavior exhibited at the first BOD meeting.
I stand corrected.
Is there a meeting scheduled to deal with your complaints?
If not you should organize one.
I would take it easy on the hyperbole though.
Even if you’re correct, it doesn’t look good to be slamming the new board so heavily in public.
They do deserve the benefit of a private scolding at a board meeting first.
I just like to say this, we are in problems.
In 2007 I had the lucky to be part of the organization team in a National Judo Tournament back in my country, Chile.
As everybody knows, all the different competitors has pretty much the same kind of people who want to come and “see” the match…so, I ask why we don´t make “the” tournament, and invite to participate everybody…master, teams, women… Guess what, it was the best Judo weekend of the season…every single one won, the players…all of them, the sponsors, and even the Federation.
It wasn´t easy, yes, but since then, that is the format for the big tournaments…and everybody is happy!!!
So, as far as I can see, the problems are pretty much the same in our sport even in different countries…and when I read about the High Ranks “issues”…well, the problem is the same.
I´ve seen a very good Judokas in that problem…not drinking sake in the same table…the sadness thing is the Federation can´t realize how much damage they produce to the Judo.
Is very sad see that the problems are the same…that should have to gives us, the ones who love Judo, some kind of “light” about the way to follow…and then we start to ask “WHY!?” they are so many Judokas switching to other sports…like Jujitsu.
Cheers to all, Saludos Sensei Lafon.
I have a little club in st louis mo. I would like to get some of your drills, so I could help my students more.
Thank You
Why don’t you contact me at your leisure so we can discuss this further. My number is 858 578-7748. I’m in California.