Re. Matside Coach Article.
I have read the remarks written in the coaches forum and would like to give my opinions with regards to the five points made by some unnamed; coaches.
It would have been better if the coaches had put their names to their points of view. We would then have an idea where they are coming from and on what level of practical achievement they have based their opinions.
The point made about age banding is, I believe, an excellent idea. I have many children in my Club that I am reluctant to enter into competitions. They are far too immature to handle children a great deal older than themselves. I have five and six year olds who can take on the World and older ones who can hardly wipe their noses unaided.
The only problem which may arise is the lack of members around the Country; it could make some groups short on numbers. However, hopefully, the numbers may improve; in time.
The rules would have to take this point into account and allow contest organisers some leeway, if numbers per group were low.
The drop out rate has not varied much over many years; at my Club. The only time I experienced a large drop in membership, was when the B.J.A. stopped under eight year old children from entering contests. This did cause a big drop in interest and, I think, it was general throughout the Country. I find it difficult to persuade children to train hard, when there is no chance for them to try out what they have learnt.
I have members close to fifty years old still training. Most of them I started as beginners at the about the time they started school; giving them an active Judo career of around forty years plus and still going strong.
This surely shows it is possible to keep people in Judo. Some of these older Judoka have been brilliant, fighting for Great Britain, and others have been just recreational Judoka. I have about a dozen fighting on the Veteran’s circuit and others that are still recreational; and enjoying their Judo.
I do believe, and have always believed, we need a very large base to the pyramid to produce a high peak.
I take anyone and everyone and push them through the system, this pushes the standard up at the peak; hopefully producing a champion or two.
I do lose a few beginners, mostly because it is not what they imagined the sport to be and just do not like it. A lot of people do not like ice skating; but it still flourishes without them.
The Intermediate class loses a few along the way as the demands get greater, or they decide they prefer another sport. We should remember this is the time in their life when children are trying everything on for size.
In fact the Intermediate class is always a puzzle and a pleasure for me. Some have loads of ability and it is easy for them to keep going and succeed. It is the large number of less able children who keep going, though even their doting parents can see they lack great talent, for whom I have a lot of time. I enjoy teaching them every bit as much as my top Judoka; perhaps because every step up is such an achievement.
I find there is a drop out period around fifteen to eighteen years of age, when they find that to progress higher will take a great deal of effort. In this case I have a slightly better record keeping girls than the boys; girls seem better able to apply themselves to that extra effort than the boys. This is general throughout the Country in all walks of life; or so I am led to believe.
British Judo does not help at this time either, often trials have been organised during the same period as school examinations. These examinations are important for their future, creating quite a lot of stress in their life.
Something has to give and it is usually the Judo; it is easy to get out of the habit of training.
Competition organisers could help at this time too. A youth finds it very trying to weigh in at 8 30am only to fight in the late afternoon; hanging about for hours is most off putting.
As regards to point five, I totally agree with the person who considers his responsibility to beginners; of any age.
The point made about under grading is a common misconception in our association; usually levelled at successful coaches. I believe the problem is over grading, by coaches who want to show the child is progressing; completely forgetting the safety aspect.
I only grade a Judoka to reward progress, never to encourage them hoping they will work hard later. You get your wages at the end of the week, not the beginning.
I often see children with orange and even green belts around their waist, with no idea of how to fall correctly. When thrown, they go over the top with their heads back and arms straight out in front; in the mistaken impression they can save themselves.
In my Club I will not consider a member of any age for competition until I am sure he or she can understand these dangers and handle falling correctly; from a large variety of throws.
I do not care how long it takes and I resist pressure from Judoka and Parents until I feel sure they are capable; even then I am nervous during their first outing.
I feel too many children are being entered into tournaments with little or no preparation for the job in hand.
At Pinewood my experience has been that very few do not want to compete; generally my problem is putting the less capable off competitions.
It is difficult to explain to a proud parent that their pride and joy is not as good as they think. It is difficult for them to grasp that they have a way to go before experiencing the joys of winning and that; the Olympics are even further away in the misty distance.
Checking the number of tournaments a child enters may have merit but would have to be aimed at the successful; maybe the gold medallist.
This could also have a detrimental affect though, if a child is forced up to a level they can not handle in a short time. If they suddenly cease to experience some success; then it is likely they would give up anyway.
I would also like to make the point that the formula for experience is gained by contact plus time. A great number of contests are good for their education but over a short period the impression is not lasting. It needs a greater length of time for it to be absorbed by their subconscious mind.
I do agree that recreational Judo is very important; I have some in my Club who do not wish to fight. They join in the training sessions, I have one on Wednesday evening to cater for adults; the children are accommodated on other classes.
However, we must not lose sight of the fact that Judo is a competitive sport and that most grant money coming into Judo is dependant upon medals won at high level tournaments.
To any Coaches:-
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future and you are always welcome to visit Pinewood; if you are passing this way. I would enjoy a talk with you about your philosophy of Judo.
As to the Coaches Forum, I am too old now but any younger coach would make a fortune collecting the unripe grapes. It could produce a very dry wine indeed, but beware; it may not be very palatable.
Don Werner 7thDan.
Coach of Pinewood Judo Club.