Category Archives: Judo Development

2010 World Championships, Part III

Posted on by
1

This is my final report on the 2010 World Championships. I was fortunate to speak with many foreign coaches, officials, and athletes in the stands. They provided me a non-American perspective on our sport, which not surprisingly mirrors how I feel about Judo’s new direction.

Most of the Europeans I talked with are not in favor of the new rules. The paradox is that it appears that an EJU clique of “reformers,” consisting of Marius Vizer, Vladimir Barta, and Juan Carlos Barcos, has hijacked the IJF, and is most responsible for the remaking of Judo along the lines of professional tennis.

Continue reading →

If You Can’t Beat Them, Change The Darn Rules!

Posted on by
11

While the IJF marches forward with its effort to create a Judo that looks more “classical”, there are stories trickling out from several sources that the IJF is messing with the rules to prevent some countries from winning Judo tournaments. In the past, these countries were lumped together under the generic “East European” label. Now, it appears that Georgians (leg grabs) and Mongolians (bear hugs) are specifically being singled out. So what’s at work here? Chauvinism, aesthetics, or both?

Continue reading →

Summer Camp Anyone?

Posted on by
Reply

Although I’ve been coaching for over 38 years, this year was the first time I decided to run a week-long summer day camp. We ran not one, but two week-long day camps from 9am-3pm within our own facility. I came away physically drained, but feeling good about our decision to run these camps- so good, in fact, that I’d like to share our experience with you.

Continue reading →

Our Entitlement Culture

Posted on by
7

When the 2010 USJA Board of Directors was elected, I had high hopes that my two passions in national affairs- coach education and high dan promotions- would be addressed, and glaring problems within the two programs would be resolved. I say “high hopes” because prior to the elections several of the current officers lead me to believe that they agreed that both programs were in need of a serious reappraisal and restructuring. Although it’s only been seven months since the administrative change, it’s still evident, and not surprising, that an entitlement culture still persists at all levels of the Judo community , especially when it comes to high dan promotions. This entitlement culture makes any effort at restructuring a very difficult task, yet we must slay the beast.

Continue reading →

Nail Them!!!

Posted on by
4

Nail them!!!  That seems to be the new mantra of a large group of ‘A’ referees and their acolytes, who care more about punishing players than they do seeing Judo survive as a sport. Two San Diego County national referees, one of whom is my student, tell me that’s the atmosphere they work in, at least in California.

Continue reading →

A Dash of Color

Posted on by
7

As part of the opening ceremonies to the 2000 European Championships held in Wroclaw, Poland, dozens of young children wearing blue, black, red, yellow and green gis ran onto the floor and quickly formed the five Olympic rings. Into each ring stepped one of great Polish European, World, or Olympic champions. Each then proceeded to randori with the children in his group. It was an unforgettable, colorful ceremony that to this day still resonates in me.

Continue reading →