Judo Distance Learning

At KL Judo, we try to make full use of technology, both to promote judo and also to help our players learn.

We are probably unique among judo clubs in this region in using judo videos as training aids and every technical session involves the use of videos where we show competition footage of techniques that we will be working on. We think it's important players get to see how the techniques they are learning can be applied in a real contest or randori situation.

For the past two months, we've been experimenting with video for our Facebook Page too. We weren't sure whether anyone would be interested in a livestream of our judo sessions but we tried it anyway. Who knows, maybe a handful of people might be interested to see what we do during our trainings. Turns out, our livestreams typically get over 100 views each. This is shocking (although pleasantly so) to us but it shows that people are hungry for judo information.

We have also been making very short highlight videos of some of our technical sessions and randoris. These are highly condensed. A technical session, whether for standing or groundwork, typically lasts 1 hour each but we cut it down to mere minutes for the videos. They are just a sampler of what we do. Yet they are really popular. Some of our technical videos have over 1000 views, with audiences from throughout Malaysia and many parts of the world. We even have judo clubs in the US and UK sharing these videos.

We will continue to do all these things but there's something new we plan to do in the very near future, which is to enable online distance learning of judo skills through the use of video.

We have one member who lives in Kemaman (that's right, he's based in Terengganu) who travels to KL a few times a month just to train with us. Given that he lives so far away, it's inevitable that he will miss some live classes.

There are also players I used to train who currently live elsewhere (I have one in Penang and one in Perak). They watch our sessions online but livestreams are not the best way to learn new stuff. Livestreams are great for giving you a broad overview of what's going on but not-so-great for serious learning. Purpose-made lessons would be far more effective and useful for those who wish to learn judo online.

I also have contacts in Canada, USA and UK who sometimes chat with me about technical stuff. Having some technical material available online will make it easier for me to share my knowledge about judo.

Right now, I'm still undecided on whether to make this online channel public or private. At the moment, I'm inclined towards the latter as my central aim is to provide distance coaching to specific people. Perhaps some portions of it might be made public. Let's see.