Tag Archives: uchi komi

Where’s the Skepticism within our Judo Culture?

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Gerald Lafon

Whether you call it Judo culture, or mentality, or mindset, one thing that’s clearly MIA- missing in action- in our sport is skepticism.  In other words, most of us are meek sheep following some leader who is often misguided, ill-informed, … Continue reading →

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Breaking Out Of Our Comfort Zone

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Gerald Lafon

Comfort zone: [definition] a behavioral state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk. One of the reasons progress has … Continue reading →

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If Defense Wins Games…

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Gerald Lafon

There’s an old saying in team sports that good defense wins games. I’ve never heard any similar statement applied to Judo but I think it should. If good defense does win games, why shouldn’t it also apply to winning matches … Continue reading →

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Good For The Goose, But Not So Good For The Gander

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Gerald Lafon

“It is true in sport you should have respect for any opponent. You need to take him into consideration, but only if in the right amount. You must not be afraid of your opponent. And what’s more, you must not … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a Coaching Course

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Gerald Lafon

“Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” Oliver Wendell Holmes The problem with stretching man’s mind, especially in a highly traditional sport like Judo, is that it’s fraught with opposition. Recently, I had the … Continue reading →

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Coach Education: Reinventing the Wheel?

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Gerald Lafon

Although most U.S. Judo Association members don’t yet know it, we are working on yet another revamping of the coach education system. It’s unfortunate that we have to address this so soon after the last fix, but four years ago … Continue reading →

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Delay Formal Instruction!

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Gerald Lafon

A few days ago, I stumbled upon a BBC News article that piqued my interest. According to a new review of primary education in England, it was recommended that children should not start formal learning until they are six. Instead, … Continue reading →

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Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Gerald Lafon

One of my pet peeves when it comes to Judo is how much time is wasted on irrelevant training: practicing skills that in the best of cases will do nothing to improve our game, and in the worst of cases … Continue reading →

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