The new rules for under 12 year old children have been rather poorly thought out. In general they seem to suggest that if we teach a child less technique they will improve and win us loads more medals.
I have attended dozens of events since they were introduced and it is obvious that the physically stronger child has a distinct advantage.
At that young age if you take out most of the techniques available, the stronger child can easily stop their opponent’s techniques with a bit of muscle and a pair of stiff straight arms.
Sumi Gaeshi will certainly combat the stiff arms but I have never taught it to my younger children in the past. The reason is because it does not encourage the correct rotation required for the more skilful techniques.
The only Waza the under 12 year group are now allowed to do, end up in a neck grabbing and kicking match with much swinging and hacking of the legs.
This all tends to go against what I was taught and have believed for many years. I believe the weaker person should be able to overcome a stronger opponent; if you are clever and use skilful technique.
I have always used the drop Seoi Nage type of Waza to defeat strong arm tactics; mostly with great success. It is not a great secret, anyone can teach them and it encourages the correct rotational skills; for the big Waza.
The referees seem to be getting to grips with the rules so it is less confusing for the children. I reserve my judgement on this point until we see how well they cope with the enormous number of new rules, recently introduced. I noticed at the recent Youth Trials that the Judoka were already finding ways to take advantage of them; now the referees have got to keep up with them.
I have to say that my under 12 year olds are winning more medals than before. Unfortunately it is frequently because there are no other children to fight. If you divide our small numbers of children into more groups, this will be the inevitable result.
I do feel sorry for the little ones who are whipped high into the air, to be slammed hard onto their back, frequently bursting into tears. I fail to see how that is better for them than being rolled over from a drop Waza. One coach told me he did not teach his children how to cope with drop Waza because the new rules didn’t require it. When they are twelve years old, do we wave a magic wand over them?
Now, we have no contest grading! What do you think is going to be thought of next, football without a ball? I am sure that eventually I will see the wisdom of this move. But for the present I will make sure my Judoka can handle a contest situation. Certainly, long before I venture to put what they have learned to the ultimate test.
In time I think we may see two distinct groups emerge, a fighting grade and an egg head promotion. How do we tell them apart? Wait until they get on to the Tatami? Ouch!
My Pinewood parents, for the most part, will travel anywhere in Britain and on the Continent. However, even some of them are beginning to question the sense in travelling 400 miles for one fight; or to be moved up a weight to fight only our own members.
There are so many restrictions put on our junior championships now, it takes ages to work out entries. Conditions such as:
A. Beginners must have had a licence less than six months.
B. The children must have graded in the last six months.
C. They must not have won a medal at all sorts of events.
D. In fact if they work hard and are any good; don’t bring
them.
I find it hard to believe that there are people in our sport who think that all children progress at the same rate and are all worth a new grade every six months. I certainly can’t do it and envy those coaches that can achieve this happy state of affairs. I will still use my Judoka’s contest results to regulate their progress through the grades.
I suppose it is easy enough now they do not have to fight for a grade but the real world of contest Judo is still out there. The “Ostriches” are going to have a nasty wake up call.
I have just lost a good prospect because I dutifully graded him up to 1st Mon. He fought and won a bronze medal in his first event. Then he broke his arm in training and was out of Judo for most of that year. I decided to put him in an event to get his confidence back after his injury. There was quite a commotion at the tournament because he had had a licence for more than a year! The upshot was he had to fight in the higher section; not a great success. He has since left the club to try his hand at a less complicated sport. I don’t blame him; many will follow!
Restricting Ne Waza has always been a pretty stupid idea. It is part of Judo, and you must remember there are three ways to win on the ground; only one standing.
I was once told, by a highly ranked I.J.F. referee that if they cut down the time for Ne Waza the big throws would come back into the sport. Now the Koka score is to be dropped, for the same reason?
If this does work perhaps cricket’s governing body should consider stopping batsmen from running for runs, then loads of sixes and fours would be scored; very spectator friendly.
The Golden Score, which I have always considered a good idea because it favours the fittest fighter, has been reduced in time. I suspect this is to compact the overall contest time. If that is so, it is doomed to failure because seventy percent of golden scores are won by Koka. Now most of them end with a referee’s decision. I thought the idea in the first place was to reduce the number of fights decided by a decision.
Don’t the people who come up with these ideas know that every Judoka’s greatest desire is to throw for Ippon? When that fails they go for the next best score possible. There is nothing wrong with that.
I remember a well known Japanese fighter who won a world title almost entirely with groundwork and he is known as one of the great fighters of our time.
People tell me how much better judo was in the old days. You can not compare one generation with another. The training changes with each generation to keep abreast of new ideas and techniques that Coaches and Judoka experiment with continually.
I believe Judo must always evolve, changing the approach to a throw and absorbing techniques from other disciplines will improve its effectiveness. That is what makes Judo the finest and most flexible form of fighting in the world.
There are more rule changes coming. I am told they will improve our spectator numbers because of the new dynamic and exciting judo they will encourage the Judoka to do?
Judo is already one of the most wonderful spectator sports, have they not seen tournaments where the 60 Kgs fighter’s speed of movement is absolutely dynamic, so fast it is difficult to follow; most of the time.
People watch a sport because they have learnt about it and can follow the intricacy of the moves which the participant is using to open up their opponent’s defence.
If Judo was easy to understand, it would have a ball in there somewhere and we would all run after it.
I am concerned with the way the public is being trained by the media to watch so called Television Reality shows. It seems that the aim in many of them is it reduces the contestants to an emotional wreck, in floods of tears. I must be old fashioned because it leaves me with a slightly sick feeling in my stomach, to see people stripped of their dignity in this way. Surely we must guard against Judo going down that road?
Now let us get back to Judo, which still has a clean and healthy image. Have you ever tried to get tickets at some of the multi sport events, like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games? Then try the Worlds, European Championships and the Paris Tournament etc.? It is not easy and it will give you an idea how attractive it is to spectators.
I need some advice on how to get a grant, many clubs have received very large amounts; how do you do it?
With the Olympics coming to Britain soon, I was told “money will be pouring into sport”
My committee were fired up with enthusiasm and got the Club Mark Gold Award. “With that mate, there is no limit to what you can expect to get” I was told.
We only need £10,000 to repair our changing room roof. So once again we jumped through hoops etc. Not an easy thing to do with my waist line, I am sure your minds are already boggling at the thought. Surprise, surprise, we have been refused again. Mind you we have only been trying for five years.
You know I think I am clairvoyant because I told them when we started; we would get a great big fat zero; nothing. I was right too; it must be my long experience in these matters.
Mind you there is a certain satisfaction in knowing that everything we have; we have done it ourselves.
If you have struggled through this far I would like to wish you all a belated Happy and Prosperous 2009.
Don Werner.