How to enjoy the judo (player's perspective)

I've seen many judo players get frustrated and quit judo even before they get their yellow belt. Usually this is due to frustration and their lack of progress. Most of the time it's not that they are not progressing but they are just too impatient and expect to be able to throw more experienced players after just a few lessons.

Then there are the ones who hold colored belts or perhaps are even black belts but who don't seem to enjoy judo very much. That's because they are stuck in a rut and don't know how to get out of it.

If you're a recreational judo player who has no competition ambitions -- you just want to enjoy judo -- what you need to do is approach every judo lesson as an opportunity to learn new things that your body can do that you never realized was even possible.

Whether it's executing a perfectly-timed throw or evading a throw, whether it's applying a slick groundwork move or escaping from a tough groundwork situation, your body will be doing things that non-judokas would never do. That sense of wonder at what's possible is deeply satisfying. It's what made me enjoy judo so much when I was starting out in judo.

These days whenever I see some new technique from an international competition, I get the same feeling I had when I was a white belt learning new and wondrous things at every session. Even after all these years, I still marvel at what judo players can do with their bodies.

If you're a competitor, your techniques are more or less fully formed, so it's less about learning new techniques as it is about continually perfecting your technique and learning new tactics and strategies for winning.

Competition judo always throws up new challenges to you. No matter how good you become there will always be someone new who comes along and defeats you. No one goes on undefeated. So, there will always be new skills you will have to develop. When you lose, don't treat it as a failure. Rather treat is as an opportunity and impetus to further improve yourself.

Whether you are a recreational player or a competitor, if you adopt the right mindset, you will find judo immensely fulfilling. If, however, you adopt the wrong mindset you will find judo frustrating and eventually want to give it up. So go into training with the right frame of mind and you will really get to enjoy the judo.