In the course of teaching techniques to our players I have introduced elements of gripping and there are passing references to combinations and counters. But so far we have not really done any structured training of these things. Now that the players know the fundamentals of the most commonly used techniques, perhaps it's a good time to teach these things in a very structured way.
Kumi-Kata (Gripping)
Gripping is critical to successful judo. Yet, gripping is often not taught. Players with experience pick up gripping tactics and techniques through trial and error and osmosis (when fighting more skillful players). But they are usually not taught.
I was taught gripping when I was starting out as a competitor. My coach taught me some gripping fundamentals and some gripping strategies too. Later on I did a more systematic study of judo gripping, analyzing the techniques used by top players. Eventually I developed my own gripping style and have formulated gripping methodologies that can be applied to any gripping situation. I think it's time I start teaching these to my players.
Renraku-Waza (Combination Techniques)
It's not easy to throw a person or catch them on the ground when you just do one direct attack. Sometimes it works, especially if your technique is strong and your opponent is not very skilled. But if you are up against a tough player, direct attacks (whether standing or on the ground) will not work so well. This calls for combination attacks. You start with one and follow up with another. Sometimes it's three attacks in a row, one after another.
Combinations are sometimes taught in dojos but usually it's just a passing mention. Not that much time is devoted to it. More time is usually spent on working on a specific technique rather than a combination of techniques. I think we need to start working on combinations. When it comes to combinations, there are two approaches: combinations from a core technique and combinations into a core technique. Let's say your core technique is uchimata. A combination from uchimata could be uchimata into kouchi-gari. A combination into uchimata could be ouchi-gari into uchimata. Players who like uchimata must learn both approach (from and into).
Combinations can be applied to newaza too although this is less common. Generally speaking, players can only defend against so many techniques. If they defend against a strangle, perhaps their arms are vulnerable. If they defend against an armlock, their necks might be vulnerable. And if they defend against armlocks and strangles, perhaps they are susceptible to pins. You get the idea. Players must be able to switch from one groundwork technique to another. This need to be drilled so that muscle memory seeps in.
There is a special category of combinations that involve transitions. The new IJF rules allow transition from ground to standing as long as there is no break in the action and grips. This definitely needs to be drilled as judo players are not used to doing transitions from ground to standing. Ground-to-standing transitions can come in various forms. It could be tori attacking uke with uke landing on the ground and tori following up with a throw. It could also be tori attacking uke with tori landing on the ground, getting up and following up with a throw. It could be uke attacking tori and tori falls down but gets up and follows up with a throw. It could be uke attacking tori and uke falls down and tori follows up with a throw. So there are four core variations that need to be drilled.
Kaeshi-Waza (Counter Techniques)
Like combination techniques, counters are also usually taught in passing only. Not much attention or focus is paid to it. So, again, this is something we need to work on in a more systematic and structured way. For almost every technique there is a counter. Some are more obvious than others.
Kumi-Kata (Gripping)
Gripping is critical to successful judo. Yet, gripping is often not taught. Players with experience pick up gripping tactics and techniques through trial and error and osmosis (when fighting more skillful players). But they are usually not taught.
I was taught gripping when I was starting out as a competitor. My coach taught me some gripping fundamentals and some gripping strategies too. Later on I did a more systematic study of judo gripping, analyzing the techniques used by top players. Eventually I developed my own gripping style and have formulated gripping methodologies that can be applied to any gripping situation. I think it's time I start teaching these to my players.
Renraku-Waza (Combination Techniques)
It's not easy to throw a person or catch them on the ground when you just do one direct attack. Sometimes it works, especially if your technique is strong and your opponent is not very skilled. But if you are up against a tough player, direct attacks (whether standing or on the ground) will not work so well. This calls for combination attacks. You start with one and follow up with another. Sometimes it's three attacks in a row, one after another.
Combinations are sometimes taught in dojos but usually it's just a passing mention. Not that much time is devoted to it. More time is usually spent on working on a specific technique rather than a combination of techniques. I think we need to start working on combinations. When it comes to combinations, there are two approaches: combinations from a core technique and combinations into a core technique. Let's say your core technique is uchimata. A combination from uchimata could be uchimata into kouchi-gari. A combination into uchimata could be ouchi-gari into uchimata. Players who like uchimata must learn both approach (from and into).
Combinations can be applied to newaza too although this is less common. Generally speaking, players can only defend against so many techniques. If they defend against a strangle, perhaps their arms are vulnerable. If they defend against an armlock, their necks might be vulnerable. And if they defend against armlocks and strangles, perhaps they are susceptible to pins. You get the idea. Players must be able to switch from one groundwork technique to another. This need to be drilled so that muscle memory seeps in.
There is a special category of combinations that involve transitions. The new IJF rules allow transition from ground to standing as long as there is no break in the action and grips. This definitely needs to be drilled as judo players are not used to doing transitions from ground to standing. Ground-to-standing transitions can come in various forms. It could be tori attacking uke with uke landing on the ground and tori following up with a throw. It could also be tori attacking uke with tori landing on the ground, getting up and following up with a throw. It could be uke attacking tori and tori falls down but gets up and follows up with a throw. It could be uke attacking tori and uke falls down and tori follows up with a throw. So there are four core variations that need to be drilled.
Kaeshi-Waza (Counter Techniques)
Like combination techniques, counters are also usually taught in passing only. Not much attention or focus is paid to it. So, again, this is something we need to work on in a more systematic and structured way. For almost every technique there is a counter. Some are more obvious than others.
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