A
Tremendous and Dynamic Sport
Judo is a tremendous and
dynamic combat sport that demands both physical prowess and great
mental discipline. From a standing position, it involves techniques
that allow you to lift and throw your opponents onto their backs. On
the ground, it includes techniques that allow you to pin your
opponents down to the ground, control them, and apply various choke
holds or joint locks until submission.
Judo
is Simple and Basic
Judo originated in Japan as
a derivative of the various martial arts developed and used by the
samurai and feudal warrior class over hundreds of years. Although
many of the techniques of judo originated from arts that were
designed to hurt, maim, or kill opponents in actual field battle, the
techniques of judo were modified so that judo students can practice
and apply these techniques safely and without hurting opponents:
Judo does not involve
kicking, punching, or striking techniques of any kind.
Judo does not involve
the application of pressure against the joints to throw an opponent.
Judo involves no
equipment or weapons of any sort.
Instead, judo simply
involves two individuals who, by gripping the judo uniform or judogi,
use the forces of balance, power, and movement to attempt to subdue
each other. Thus, it is simple and basic. In its simplicity, however,
lies its complexity, and mastery of even the most basic of judo
techniques that often take considerable time, effort, and energy,
involving rigorous physical and mental training.
The
Principle of Gentleness
The word judo consists of
two Japanese characters, ju, which means "gentle", and do,
which means "the way". Judo, therefore, literally means the
way of gentleness. Although the gentleness may not be immediately
apparent to newcomers who see bodies flying through the air and
people pinned to the ground, it is this principle of gentleness, or
yawara (which is the same character as the ju in judo), on which all
judo techniques are based.
Rigorous
and Physical Activity
Judo
is a rigorous and demanding physical activity. The practice of judo
techniques helps people develop basic and fundamental physical
fitness in a number of ways, such as the development of strength,
flexibility, agility, speed, dynamic and static balance, explosive
power, and endurance. The practice of active attack and defense helps
develop reaction time, coordination, and overall physical
self-confidence. Judo students become physically bigger, stronger,
and faster through their practice of judo.
Not
only does judo produce tremendous gains in overall physical and
athletic ability; judo students learn the specific skills and
techniques of judo. They learn a variety of techniques in order to
throw their opponents to the ground with force, speed, and control.
While judo students are often exposed to many of these types of
throwing techniques in their judo careers, they usually master only a
handful, and a handful is generally all that is needed to be
successful in contemporary judo competitions.
Judo students also learn the fundamental principles and the
dynamics of subduing their opponents on the ground through the
application of pinning and submission techniques. Their prowess both
on the ground and on their feet, combined with the considerable basic
physical fitness gained from daily judo practice, affords judo
students with a considerable repertoire of techniques, skills,
knowledge, and abilities. These, in turn, allow them to be excellent
athletes, with a sound physical base of fundamental skills, and
formidable and imposing opponents in competition.
Much
More to Learn
But beyond the development
of physical prowess and athletic ability, judo students learn much
more. They learn how to control their feelings, emotions, and
impulses. They learn about values of perseverance, respect, loyalty,
and discipline. Judo students develop an outstanding work ethic, as
well as important social manners and etiquette. They learn to
overcome their fears, and to show courage under pressure. Through
competition and the rigors of daily practice, they learn about
justice and fairness. Through their experience, they learn about
politeness, modesty, and many other wonderful values that contribute
to their development as successful citizens of society. As such, judo
facilitates the development of important moral knowledge and values,
those that are important to help people to become active and
contributing members of their communities, nations, and the world. In
this way, judo students play an important role in developing
societies, and creating new and better communities for the future.