Comments for Lafon's Judo Blog

Comment on A Dash of Color by admin

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:36:44 +0000

Who knows what the future will bring us.

Comment on A Dash of Color by Tim the science of judo guy

Tim the science of judo guy — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:49:37 +0000

I agree, the `white gi as a symbol of purity` is only known to those interested in the esoteric philosophy of judo,it does nothing to increase the popularity of the sport and actually may have the reverse effect!

Comment on Nail Them!!! by admin

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:03:41 +0000

Yes, we are ALL complicit in allowing our national and international organizations to make decisions that we don’t support. That’s why through my blog I have tried to empower coaches to voice they displeasure and act accordingly. I believe that local coaches, more than any other group in the Judo community, hold the future of Judo in their hands if only they would act.

Comment on Nail Them!!! by John Kucirek

John Kucirek — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:12:06 +0000

In regard to Richard’s question of “Why is it that a lot of old men who no longer do real Judo are allowed to dictate to those who actually get on the mat and do Judo?” ; I think the honest answer to that question is BECAUSE WE LET THEM.

By “we” I mean all judoka, from the Kodokan to the NGBs, to the national organizations, to the tournament hosts, to the tournament directors, referees, national coaches, club coaches and, yes, even the players from the Olympians all the way down to the once a year recreational competitor. We ALL “let them”; we are ALL complicit in this crime to some degree.

We let them dictate rules, we let them dictate technique, and we let them mandate style, et al. As a result we therefore, in some places, let them influence what we teach and what we train. Despite all this animosity toward what they are doing we still encourage them to continue this BS when our tournament hosts and directors CHOOSE to use their rules for our events and when we continue to financially support and participate in them.

At the “grassroots” level there are many clubs, coaches and judoka that are ignoring this crap. On a national level only the AAU, as far as I am aware, has stood up and said “Stick it, we don’t need you” to the IJF. As “Grassroots” Judo organizations it would be nice to see JA and JF continue along the AAU’s path.

I’m not sure who said it first but I’ll repeat it; “We have met the enemy and it is us”.

Comment on A Dash of Color by Lincoln

Lincoln — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:22:33 +0000

It will be a good idea to get the Italian fashion houses to design tasteful judo uniforms in various colors.

Comment on Olympics or Survival? by Eric

Eric — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:59:09 +0000

When did bear hugs become illegal? I guess I have the same questions about when they can or cannot be used. If it is to prevent Judo from looking like Greco Roman wrestling I am assuming they are trying to eliminate the belly to belly suplex? Are you allowed to bear hug on an O’Uchi attempt? What about off the Tani Otoshi and the Uki Goshi or Tsuri Goshi? I read somewhere that Uki Goshi was Kano’s favorite techniques, obviously I don’t know if that is true but Uki Goshi is certainly one of the classics. To me less restrictions is better for the sport. If you don’t know how to counter or react to a pickup you are vulnerable. The other grappling arts are laughing at us.

Comment on Nail Them!!! by richard riehle

richard riehle — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:11:12 +0000

Gerald,

I agree that the direction Judo is taking with Judogi measurements and a whole lot of other absurdities is not doing anything good for Judo. We focus so much on penalties that we seem to be forgetting about good Judo. Why is it that a lot of old men who no longer do real Judo are allowed to dictate to those who actually get on the mat and do Judo? And then, they get promoted to higher-dan ranks even though all they do is referee or stand around in the dojo gathering time-in-grade while others continue to train and/or compete. The final days of a dying organization is characterized by a need to increase the size of the rule book. The last act of that organization is add more and more penalties for violating the rules. Those who remain in that organization to the end are those who cannot move on to other options, paralyzed by their inability to reinvent themselves and find new opportunities. Contemporary Judo seems to be more and more about the rules, the correct paperwork, filling in the right forms, gathering points, and other non-Judo activities.

Comment on A Dash of Color by Jose Rodriguez

Jose Rodriguez — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:49:11 +0000

Good idea. Even though I am traditional when it comes to Judo gis (love white gi), it makes sense to think that judokas of all ages might get motivational when they start seeing more color on the mat. Back in 2001, I vividly remember myself watching Jimmy Pedro wearing the Abensberg gi in 101 Ippons. That definitely got me excited and immediately wanted to own one myself.

On the other point, I also think that the Judokas that make Judo their profession have to be able to “create multiple profit centers,” just like author Barbara Winter states in Making a Living Without a Job.

Comment on Promotions Run Amok by Ryoku Judo Club

Ryoku Judo Club — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:23:07 +0000

I totally agree with you. When I came from Cuba and I got involved in Judo, I was surprised to see so many white and red belts. Back in Cuba I only saw one: Andre Kolychkine, Father of Cuban Judo and most of the time he was wearing a black belt.
All of my Senseis when I was growing up and training in Cuba were 2nd and 3rd Dan, 4th Dan and up was for Olympic or World Champions.Being a Hachidan, Kudan or Judan was an impossible dream.
After a few months seeing the level of Judo in America, I realized than a high percentage of this high rank judokas did not deserve their ranks.Now that I compete against their clubs and see their results and students, I can tell that the belt does not make you a better teacher or judoka ( I always knew that) but in America is just a business and a show of red and white colors.You can tell the kind of Sensei by his students.
Still you find a few Senseis that deserve their ranks and my respect, but the rest are a joke to me , I am not saying names but many come to mind now.
They walk around telling everybody about their rank and showing off but at the end it is just a lie!I feel sorry for them, their students and people that believe them!
I never cared about promotions just results and teaching the best I can, you are remember by how you change lives, your influence in your students and the kind of judokas and persons they become.
By the way, you are in my list of respected Senseis.
Sorry for my English, I am just a simple judoka from CUBA.
Once again your blog is great!!

Comment on Olympics or Survival? by Gustavo Sanchez

Gustavo Sanchez — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:45:18 +0000

I started my judo competitions in 1976 since then i have been in and out of competition. In my observation of the last three decades i notice, feel, and believe that the continuous changes in the competition rules have caused more harm to judo than good. Sadly i have seen the slow degeneration of ne-waza untill it has almost completely been removed from competition, this occurrance has given overwhelming power to those who “create” their own style of fighting ne-waza and labeling it as a new form of fight. Now they are eliminating many of the counter and direct attacks and techniques that have always existed and been used in the real competition judo. If this trend continues the future of judo is unclear as a martial art.

My concern is: if we as players, coaches, and sensies, in the American continents and other parts of the world are made uneasy by the rythm of change in the sport. What part is the Kodokan playing in this ? why do they allow judo to be mutilated by rules and regulations made by people who have only their own gain to look out for ?