Tonight we had a guest visit us from out of the past. Dave Derrick, I always called him Major Derrick as that was his rank at the military school where I went to school. He's a great guy and came in to observe, but, like all good judo players, got to the point where the watching was not enough, he had to get out and help!
It was really good for my two students to learn from someone other than myself and to hear many of the same things I already tell them from someone else. They worked solidly for the whole time and learned a lot of very little things. Unfortunately, it's the little things that are important and difficult to grasp in judo.
29 October 2008
27 September 2008
Judo Manuals and Concepts
This past week at work I have been in training. Not the world's most exciting training, but very valuable for what I do in the real world. That being said, I went through most of a legal pad making notes...on judo.
Currently I have a small problem in my judo program. Its not a dilemma that my students face. Its a dilemma that I face in that I was brought up in judo from outside the "normal" process. I still firmly believe that the way I brought up was most prudent for my area and I believe it to be a very correct concept for teaching judo. This is a question of one's philosophy of judo and its purpose.
In judo in the United States, there exist three major national governing bodies and a variety of outside organizations. My club is affiliated with the United States Judo Association and is a Yawara Judo Association club. There are major disparities between these two organizations' promotional guidelines. I believe both have significantly valid points to consider. This is at the core of my problem.
My solution is to merge these two organizations' guidelines into one. Perhaps the best way to look at this is to use the USJA's Junior Guidelines. USJA uses junior grades 1-10. Each level adds 2 throwing techniques per level. This is excellent for the development of juniors, especially taking things like motor skills development of young students. By the time a student reaches the level of Junior 10, assuming they've started at age 8, the student has aged around 5 to 7 years and has 20 throwing techniques. USJA guidelines suggest that the conversion from Junior to Senior at the level of Junior 10 should go to Nikyu (Second Brown Belt). Yawara's guidelines for Nikyu are the first four sections of the Go Kyo no Waza (the basic curriculum of throwing techniques) which equates to about 32 techniques.
What I plan on doing is, for my juniors, require them to progress from Junior 1 through Junior 10 and instead of converting from Junior 10 to Nikyu, they will meet Yawara standards for Sankyu (Third Brown Belt, the first earned brown belt) which requires 24 throwing techniques and the first three sections of the Nage no Kata.
What I plan on doing for my seniors, which is mildly different as seniors learn four techniques per grade and only has 6 non-black belt grades. Doing the math, this equates to 24 techniques that need to be learned prior to black belt. The Yawara standard requires 40 techniques for Ikkyu (First Brown Belt, the last earned brown belt). So the big difficulty is between the brown belt level and the less-than-brown belt levels. There are three less-than brown belt grades, which means that the student who gains the belt right before brown belt has 12 techniques and with the Yawara standard for Sankyu being 24 techniques, the senior student has to double his technical knowledge from green belt to brown belt. I think that's a bad deal, but that's the deal.
That is why the juniors have a better deal, instead of having to learn 12 techniques to become a brown belt, they only have to learn 4 techniques. So that's what I'm working on.
Currently I have a small problem in my judo program. Its not a dilemma that my students face. Its a dilemma that I face in that I was brought up in judo from outside the "normal" process. I still firmly believe that the way I brought up was most prudent for my area and I believe it to be a very correct concept for teaching judo. This is a question of one's philosophy of judo and its purpose.
In judo in the United States, there exist three major national governing bodies and a variety of outside organizations. My club is affiliated with the United States Judo Association and is a Yawara Judo Association club. There are major disparities between these two organizations' promotional guidelines. I believe both have significantly valid points to consider. This is at the core of my problem.
My solution is to merge these two organizations' guidelines into one. Perhaps the best way to look at this is to use the USJA's Junior Guidelines. USJA uses junior grades 1-10. Each level adds 2 throwing techniques per level. This is excellent for the development of juniors, especially taking things like motor skills development of young students. By the time a student reaches the level of Junior 10, assuming they've started at age 8, the student has aged around 5 to 7 years and has 20 throwing techniques. USJA guidelines suggest that the conversion from Junior to Senior at the level of Junior 10 should go to Nikyu (Second Brown Belt). Yawara's guidelines for Nikyu are the first four sections of the Go Kyo no Waza (the basic curriculum of throwing techniques) which equates to about 32 techniques.
What I plan on doing is, for my juniors, require them to progress from Junior 1 through Junior 10 and instead of converting from Junior 10 to Nikyu, they will meet Yawara standards for Sankyu (Third Brown Belt, the first earned brown belt) which requires 24 throwing techniques and the first three sections of the Nage no Kata.
What I plan on doing for my seniors, which is mildly different as seniors learn four techniques per grade and only has 6 non-black belt grades. Doing the math, this equates to 24 techniques that need to be learned prior to black belt. The Yawara standard requires 40 techniques for Ikkyu (First Brown Belt, the last earned brown belt). So the big difficulty is between the brown belt level and the less-than-brown belt levels. There are three less-than brown belt grades, which means that the student who gains the belt right before brown belt has 12 techniques and with the Yawara standard for Sankyu being 24 techniques, the senior student has to double his technical knowledge from green belt to brown belt. I think that's a bad deal, but that's the deal.
That is why the juniors have a better deal, instead of having to learn 12 techniques to become a brown belt, they only have to learn 4 techniques. So that's what I'm working on.
16 August 2008
Ronda Rousey, Olympic Judo, etc.
Ronda fought and fought very well. Her only loss was on one of her signature moves (sode tsuri komi goshi) that got countered very neatly by the fighter from Netherlands. The remaining two fights were decidedly Ronda's by virtue of being willing and able and really wanting to kick everybody's butt who was in the way of her and that medal.
I have recorded them and will post them eventually. I have to edit and convert them so that they're not 100+ MB each!
All of our Olympic judo players fought well and fought hard. Not a one gave up when things were tight. Some of their losses came from pressing the attack, but, better to go do fighting than quit while losing.
NBCOlympics.com coverage for judo was good, although I really wish they would make it possible for the next Olympics (whomever is doing the broadcasting online) to view all the mats simultaneously.
I have recorded them and will post them eventually. I have to edit and convert them so that they're not 100+ MB each!
All of our Olympic judo players fought well and fought hard. Not a one gave up when things were tight. Some of their losses came from pressing the attack, but, better to go do fighting than quit while losing.
NBCOlympics.com coverage for judo was good, although I really wish they would make it possible for the next Olympics (whomever is doing the broadcasting online) to view all the mats simultaneously.
11 August 2008
Border Classic Tournament
Well, I went to my first tournament in 5 years. I placed second. My first medal ever. It only took me five tournaments to get there.
It was good fun and quite a learnig experience. I got to meet the President of NM Judo, Inc. Who is a pretty decent guy. I will probably be sticking around in USJI just to try to bring NM Judo to a larger audience.
I haven't had an opportunity to dissect my matches, but I will post them on YouTube when I get the opportunity to put them up.
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The Olympics
I have to say I am moderately pleased with NBC and their coverage of judo. While it isn't on any of the regular channels, they do have it live and online. Unfortunately it runs from 10pm (MST) until 2:30am, and the finals of each from 4:00am to 6:00am. Fortunately for me and my waking up, US judo has not been doing so hot. That's not to disparage any of the massive amounts of hard work these wonderful ladies and gentlemen have put into it at all...I just have to wake up early and I'm not going to miss any of their matches if I can avoid it.
I do think there have been some flat miserable calls, especially in Ryan's match, but once they've made the call and reviewed it, what can you do?
Tonight, Travis Stevns fights Franklin Cisneros (ESA) in his first match. I can't wait to watch!
And for those of you who really want to watch these matches again, get CamStudio (I've posted about it before) and record those matches!
The live commentary by David Williams can be absolutely hilarious.
Don't forget Ronda Rousey fights on TUESDAY! GO RONDA!
It was good fun and quite a learnig experience. I got to meet the President of NM Judo, Inc. Who is a pretty decent guy. I will probably be sticking around in USJI just to try to bring NM Judo to a larger audience.
I haven't had an opportunity to dissect my matches, but I will post them on YouTube when I get the opportunity to put them up.
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The Olympics
I have to say I am moderately pleased with NBC and their coverage of judo. While it isn't on any of the regular channels, they do have it live and online. Unfortunately it runs from 10pm (MST) until 2:30am, and the finals of each from 4:00am to 6:00am. Fortunately for me and my waking up, US judo has not been doing so hot. That's not to disparage any of the massive amounts of hard work these wonderful ladies and gentlemen have put into it at all...I just have to wake up early and I'm not going to miss any of their matches if I can avoid it.
I do think there have been some flat miserable calls, especially in Ryan's match, but once they've made the call and reviewed it, what can you do?
Tonight, Travis Stevns fights Franklin Cisneros (ESA) in his first match. I can't wait to watch!
And for those of you who really want to watch these matches again, get CamStudio (I've posted about it before) and record those matches!
The live commentary by David Williams can be absolutely hilarious.
Don't forget Ronda Rousey fights on TUESDAY! GO RONDA!
04 August 2008
One of the greatest things ever
For those who know, and those who may not, I teach judo at the local Job Corps Center. This is some of the most fun I have at Job Corps. But that's not the greatest thing I'm talking about.
Recently Job Corps students who had good conduct for a certain period of time went to Colorado to have a few days of fun. One of the stops they made was to the Olympic Training Center. One of my judo students just happened to go. Here's one of the greatest things ever...she brought me back a shot glass for the judo at Beijing! It has two of the mascots doing judo and on the back it has the symboly for the Beijing Olympics.
As soon as I can get the pictures transferred from my phone to the computer, I will post the pictures.
Recently Job Corps students who had good conduct for a certain period of time went to Colorado to have a few days of fun. One of the stops they made was to the Olympic Training Center. One of my judo students just happened to go. Here's one of the greatest things ever...she brought me back a shot glass for the judo at Beijing! It has two of the mascots doing judo and on the back it has the symboly for the Beijing Olympics.
As soon as I can get the pictures transferred from my phone to the computer, I will post the pictures.
01 August 2008
National Governing Bodies and Others
To preface this whole thing, let me state that I am a diehard fan of Yawara Judo Association as founded by my father. I am a true believer with all that entails. What follows may or may not be to anyone else's liking but its not their blog.
I don't like organizations who believe that whole point of judo is sport. I don't like organizations who believe that the whole point of judo is esoteric. It is neither. It is both. Personally I believe that everyone should experience all the aspects availible in judo.
What does that mean exactly? Simply put, the beginner in judo, by the time they reach black belt level, should have competed, done kata, done research, know the basic five kyo of the go kyo no waza, know six basic chokes, know 6 basic holds, know 4 basic armbars (plus a variety of variations of each). A student should know how judo applies to life outside the dojo and self-defense. These are basic knowledge that a black belt level individual should know.
There are things going on in the US National Governing Body for Olympic Sport Judo (USJI) with which I thoroughly disagree and am disgusted in the way they have conducted themselves and the way they are currently conducting things. That being said, one of the other NGB's (USJA) is remarkable in that when such as occured in USJI and was reported to them, they dealt with the problem post haste. My largest problem with both of these organizations as judo training entities is that their curriculum map for progression to black belt does not give the new black belt a breadth of knowledge that will enable them to effectively learn and teach the basic syllabus of judo (go kyo no waza). I haven't seen any national level organizations that do, that includes the BJA/BJC, USJA/JI/JF, and many others. I find this, as a professional educator, to be a poor method of educating.
Do I have a solution? Only what I was taught as I was growing in judo. Is it the best solution, in a linearly taught program, like a professional education class, yes. Is it best in a club environment where people are coming and going will-he nil-he? Probably not. However, there is a specific set of things that brand new individuals should be taught before any others.
Personally I am working to strengthen and enhance what I teach and my methodolgy so that in the future, my students who go out to start clubs of their own will not have to start from scratch and suffer the learning that I have suffered. I want to be able to send my black belts out with the ability to open up doors, lay down mats, and begin teaching and growing judo from day one. And that, let me tell you, is very difficult.
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On the note of opening doors to a new judo place, I'm thinking of what every new instructor should be able to have in their curriculum guide.
1. List of promotional requirements.
2. List of techniques.
3. Examples of techniques.
4. List of literature to aid in understanding.
5. CD's, DVD's, Videos of judo for help in developing concepts or techniques.
6. Video camera to video practices, matches, and students' techniques for review by the students and instructors.
7. List of games and activities and the purpose of said.
As I get more ideas, I will probably put together a better and more comprehensive list. I will also discuss them with more depth.
I don't like organizations who believe that whole point of judo is sport. I don't like organizations who believe that the whole point of judo is esoteric. It is neither. It is both. Personally I believe that everyone should experience all the aspects availible in judo.
What does that mean exactly? Simply put, the beginner in judo, by the time they reach black belt level, should have competed, done kata, done research, know the basic five kyo of the go kyo no waza, know six basic chokes, know 6 basic holds, know 4 basic armbars (plus a variety of variations of each). A student should know how judo applies to life outside the dojo and self-defense. These are basic knowledge that a black belt level individual should know.
There are things going on in the US National Governing Body for Olympic Sport Judo (USJI) with which I thoroughly disagree and am disgusted in the way they have conducted themselves and the way they are currently conducting things. That being said, one of the other NGB's (USJA) is remarkable in that when such as occured in USJI and was reported to them, they dealt with the problem post haste. My largest problem with both of these organizations as judo training entities is that their curriculum map for progression to black belt does not give the new black belt a breadth of knowledge that will enable them to effectively learn and teach the basic syllabus of judo (go kyo no waza). I haven't seen any national level organizations that do, that includes the BJA/BJC, USJA/JI/JF, and many others. I find this, as a professional educator, to be a poor method of educating.
Do I have a solution? Only what I was taught as I was growing in judo. Is it the best solution, in a linearly taught program, like a professional education class, yes. Is it best in a club environment where people are coming and going will-he nil-he? Probably not. However, there is a specific set of things that brand new individuals should be taught before any others.
Personally I am working to strengthen and enhance what I teach and my methodolgy so that in the future, my students who go out to start clubs of their own will not have to start from scratch and suffer the learning that I have suffered. I want to be able to send my black belts out with the ability to open up doors, lay down mats, and begin teaching and growing judo from day one. And that, let me tell you, is very difficult.
--------------------------
On the note of opening doors to a new judo place, I'm thinking of what every new instructor should be able to have in their curriculum guide.
1. List of promotional requirements.
2. List of techniques.
3. Examples of techniques.
4. List of literature to aid in understanding.
5. CD's, DVD's, Videos of judo for help in developing concepts or techniques.
6. Video camera to video practices, matches, and students' techniques for review by the students and instructors.
7. List of games and activities and the purpose of said.
As I get more ideas, I will probably put together a better and more comprehensive list. I will also discuss them with more depth.
Tournaments
Truth be told, I haven't been to a tournament since 2003 when I was in Florida working for Walt Disney World and going to classes at Central Florida Judo and Jujitsu run by William Andreas (great club, btw). That was the Rattler Roundup down in Boca Raton (I think). I didn't do so hot.
I think the biggest failure on my part for that tournament was lack of knowledge and preparation, specifically maintaining a two-handed grip or applying a technique from a single-side sleeve grip where both parties are fully extended away from each other. I'm not sure I have solved the single sided extension problem, however, I have been listening to Rhadi and Jimmy's gripping advice cd's and dvd's. (Both of these individuals have really some of the best advice on dvd or cd and are mostly worth the money; I highly recommend the scouting report, the underground gripfight secrets, grip like a world champion).
So why am I talking about this competition stuff now? Well, next weekend I'm going to El Paso (the Texas Brown Belt Championship) and I'm going to compete. I haven't decided if I'm going to fight in the Master's (which just means the over 30 groups) or the Seniors (which is from 17-29). But I do plan on fighting. I'd like to win, and I'm expecting to place.
It should be an interesting experience for me as I've been out of competing for awhile and since going to the Judo Forum Summit and Camp I feel I've learned some things, but really, desparately need to work on gripping and gripping endurance. I should also think about transitions and attacks, however I do have my favorite transitions, which I am not going to tell my readers. My attacks, well, they are not as continuous and fluid as I'd like so we will just have to see how well they will work.
So, in a week, I will be going to El Paso to fight. I plan on having my buddy video my fight so that I can see what is necessary for me to work on so that I might improve.
On other news, only semi-related, I may be going to the US Open in Colorado to visit with friends and maybe compete up there in the Master's division.
I think the biggest failure on my part for that tournament was lack of knowledge and preparation, specifically maintaining a two-handed grip or applying a technique from a single-side sleeve grip where both parties are fully extended away from each other. I'm not sure I have solved the single sided extension problem, however, I have been listening to Rhadi and Jimmy's gripping advice cd's and dvd's. (Both of these individuals have really some of the best advice on dvd or cd and are mostly worth the money; I highly recommend the scouting report, the underground gripfight secrets, grip like a world champion).
So why am I talking about this competition stuff now? Well, next weekend I'm going to El Paso (the Texas Brown Belt Championship) and I'm going to compete. I haven't decided if I'm going to fight in the Master's (which just means the over 30 groups) or the Seniors (which is from 17-29). But I do plan on fighting. I'd like to win, and I'm expecting to place.
It should be an interesting experience for me as I've been out of competing for awhile and since going to the Judo Forum Summit and Camp I feel I've learned some things, but really, desparately need to work on gripping and gripping endurance. I should also think about transitions and attacks, however I do have my favorite transitions, which I am not going to tell my readers. My attacks, well, they are not as continuous and fluid as I'd like so we will just have to see how well they will work.
So, in a week, I will be going to El Paso to fight. I plan on having my buddy video my fight so that I can see what is necessary for me to work on so that I might improve.
On other news, only semi-related, I may be going to the US Open in Colorado to visit with friends and maybe compete up there in the Master's division.
27 July 2008
Growing Judo in Roswell
Okay, I have a small problem. I am probably the world's worst recruiter. I'm not a great records keeper.
What does that mean for me? That means that I have to find a way to recruit students, of various ages, for my classes. I'm hoping that my brochures will be able to go through the various schools in the Roswell School District, so that I get at least a few students for my classes.
My goal for the fall semester for my judo club is to have between 10 and 20 students in my kids and adults class, each. I hope I will have success. If I'm successful, things should be really good. If not, well, antibellum status quo.
What does that mean for me? That means that I have to find a way to recruit students, of various ages, for my classes. I'm hoping that my brochures will be able to go through the various schools in the Roswell School District, so that I get at least a few students for my classes.
My goal for the fall semester for my judo club is to have between 10 and 20 students in my kids and adults class, each. I hope I will have success. If I'm successful, things should be really good. If not, well, antibellum status quo.
I do have some good points. Without too much ego, I'm a fairly good coach, teacher, sensei, or whatever you want to call it.
I think I should grow. With growth, new mats.
Teaching Judo
I went down to another dojo on Saturday. It is a great club with a really good instructor.
I like to go down there because, well, they have more people in larger sizes and a greater variety of ranks than I.
This time when I went down I showed them some of the things that I learned at the Judo Forum Summit and Camp that I went to in Carlsbad, CA.
I showed them the uchikomi warm-up run, step-away seoi nage, and tsugi ashi/ayumi ashi o uchi gari to ko/o soto gari. They appeared to learn what was taught and had some good experience doing it.
I like to go down there because, well, they have more people in larger sizes and a greater variety of ranks than I.
This time when I went down I showed them some of the things that I learned at the Judo Forum Summit and Camp that I went to in Carlsbad, CA.
I showed them the uchikomi warm-up run, step-away seoi nage, and tsugi ashi/ayumi ashi o uchi gari to ko/o soto gari. They appeared to learn what was taught and had some good experience doing it.
18 July 2008
Sasae tsuri komi ashi
I was working on stka (I'm not writing that long thing right now) with one of my students on Wednesday and had an epiphany about how stka works! (I may be worng but it seems to work for now.)
When uke is holding his body rigid, leaning upon you, and refusing to allow you to enter into them, you step wide and pivot. As uke's body leans forward from your withdrawal, your foot is placed in front of uke's advancing foot, stopping its forward motion prematurely. This action causes uke to continue in its forward motion, but rather than a further forward base, the body rotates about an axis much further back. I don't know if that made sense, or will make sense in a week. Suffice it to say that you move out to the side as they are leaning on you, block their foot, and the rotate over their foot into ukemi.
When uke is holding his body rigid, leaning upon you, and refusing to allow you to enter into them, you step wide and pivot. As uke's body leans forward from your withdrawal, your foot is placed in front of uke's advancing foot, stopping its forward motion prematurely. This action causes uke to continue in its forward motion, but rather than a further forward base, the body rotates about an axis much further back. I don't know if that made sense, or will make sense in a week. Suffice it to say that you move out to the side as they are leaning on you, block their foot, and the rotate over their foot into ukemi.
09 July 2008
Collecting Judo Videos
The internet is full of videos of judo, especially YouTube. There is a big problem with that, however, and that is finding and keeping the videos that are worthwhile to you. Every one of us has a different definition of worthwhile. Personally, I'm trying to find stuff out there that will make it easier to retain, teach, and develop my students. I'm also trying to find things that will help me be a better competitor, kata-ist, player, and coach.
Therefore I introduce to you, probably one of the easiest tools I have found to do screen captures. It's called CamStudio. Some of the best things about it is that it is Open Source (that means anybody can get it for free), it's incredibly easy to use, and it's got everything you need without needing more. If you want to do voice over recordings of videos, it will!
There are some negative things, but that may just be my lack of understanding rather than a flaw of the program, of which one needs to be aware. The big one, is that it doesn't record the audio of the video you are recording. That's really the big flaw.
Here's the link for CamStudio.
Therefore I introduce to you, probably one of the easiest tools I have found to do screen captures. It's called CamStudio. Some of the best things about it is that it is Open Source (that means anybody can get it for free), it's incredibly easy to use, and it's got everything you need without needing more. If you want to do voice over recordings of videos, it will!
There are some negative things, but that may just be my lack of understanding rather than a flaw of the program, of which one needs to be aware. The big one, is that it doesn't record the audio of the video you are recording. That's really the big flaw.
Here's the link for CamStudio.
08 July 2008
Fun and Games
Back to the Judo Forum Summit and Camp.
So one of the cool things I learned from the camp was that games are really cool and everybody will do them! Kids, adults, teenagers; everybody!
The games were varied and I'm not sure I got all of them, but of those I got two of them were brought to us by Ronda!
Both of these are based on Freeze Tag. The difference between the two is the way one is unfrozen. In one, the frozen are unfrozen by doing three uchikomi to them. In the other, they are unfrozen by doing a jumping spin in front of them.
Unfortunately, for me with so few students, you need a fair number of students to do it to good effect. However some of the other things I got from the camp don't require a lot of people!
Oh! Another cool warm-up was, what I'm calling, "Partner Carries." Basically the way this works is one partner carries the other in a variety of carries (seoi nage, kata guruma, and I'm sure it could be extrapolated with a host of others).
So one of the cool things I learned from the camp was that games are really cool and everybody will do them! Kids, adults, teenagers; everybody!
The games were varied and I'm not sure I got all of them, but of those I got two of them were brought to us by Ronda!
Both of these are based on Freeze Tag. The difference between the two is the way one is unfrozen. In one, the frozen are unfrozen by doing three uchikomi to them. In the other, they are unfrozen by doing a jumping spin in front of them.
Unfortunately, for me with so few students, you need a fair number of students to do it to good effect. However some of the other things I got from the camp don't require a lot of people!
Oh! Another cool warm-up was, what I'm calling, "Partner Carries." Basically the way this works is one partner carries the other in a variety of carries (seoi nage, kata guruma, and I'm sure it could be extrapolated with a host of others).
07 July 2008
O Uchi Gari
One of the most common throws I've noticed is O uchi gari. I've heard this likened to the Boxer's jab in that it is used to setup almost every throw in judo. While I don't know exactly about that, I've not used it that way, yet, I did find a fair amount of interesting videos that are quite useful. Some are useful because they are good quality stuff and some for the opposite reason.
To begin:
Yamashita showing O uchi gari
Kuzushi
Tsukuri
Kake
The whole ball of wax
Jimmy Pedro (the audio is almost impossible to hear)
Spartak Judo
To begin:
Yamashita showing O uchi gari
Kuzushi
Tsukuri
Kake
The whole ball of wax
Jimmy Pedro (the audio is almost impossible to hear)
Spartak Judo
06 July 2008
Judo Forum Summit Clinic and Camp
I've decided to try this blogging thing. Perhaps it will help me to keep track of what I've thought about and am planning.
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Let's see, where should I start? I think I'll start with judo.
A couple of weeks ago (20-22 June) I had the opportunity to go to San Diego (Carlsbad, actually) for the Judo Forum Summit and Camp 2008. I haven't been to any judo camps for nigh onto 14 years. This was nothing like the ones I'd been to previously.
Instead of people I know and who know me and who know my dad, everyone was new to me, at least in person. There were Olympians, World Champions, Kohaku holders, and people from all over, including Australia. It was an incredible experience for me. I probably stuck out more as a country bumpkin than I'd like to admit. But I do live in Roswell!
So many things were going on! I was split between what do I do for me and what do I do so that I can teach my students! I hate having that choice. I chose things to teach. They help me too, but I'm getting a little past the prime of competitive judo.
Some of the things that were covered were grip fighting with Jacob Flores, Coaching with Paul Nogaki, Tai Sabaki and correct nage waza with Jin Iizumi, Ne Waza with AnnMaria DeMars, Games with AnnMaria and Ronda, Conditioning, and a variety of others that I didn't get near enough to remember.
I can hardly wait to figure out how to afford to go to the next one! It was an incredible experience.
I did learn somethings about myself, however.
1. My shoulders need work, I couldn't last very long in the gripping practice, expecially the randori.
2. I desparately need to work strength training and endurance training.
3. I've got to learn how to grip fight, a green belt, no matter the competitive level, should not be able to control randori with me.
4. I need to work ne waza, especially escapes.
5. I am never going to send my children to school at the Army-Navy Academy if NMMI is a viable option.
6. If it weren't for the price of gas, real estate, and the psychotic vehicle laws in California; it would be a really cool place to live.
7. I have got to compete.
8. I have got to work on financing mats for my club.
It was a really wonderufl experience overall, despite having to fly.
People I met:
Ronda Rousey, Olympian and all around neat-o person.
AnnMaria DeMars, World Champion, incredibly smart statistician, neat-o person, and Ronda's mom.
Jacob Flores Jr., really neat-o person.
Jacob Flores, Sr., neat-o person, Dr.
Rick Hawn, Olympian, neat-o person
Paul Nogaki, really interesting person, learned more than I believe he was trying to teach. also a really neat-o person.
(okay, pretty much everybody was a neat-o person, so I'm going to stop putting it on. If you're name is listed, figure yourself neat-o.)
N. Karl Maluf
Jess, from Denver Judo
Aaron Kunihiro, mean seoi nage, I liked it, too bad my arm was killing me.
Jin Iizumi
Ian, Rei-Boot
and a host of others whose names slip my mind
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Things to keep in mind:
1. Shut up and pay attention. You'll learn more if you're receiving and processing than talking and outputting.
2. You do not know everything and no one else does either, but that doesn't mean that you can't learn from someone else.
3. Sometimes you just have to work through something to get it.
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Let's see, where should I start? I think I'll start with judo.
A couple of weeks ago (20-22 June) I had the opportunity to go to San Diego (Carlsbad, actually) for the Judo Forum Summit and Camp 2008. I haven't been to any judo camps for nigh onto 14 years. This was nothing like the ones I'd been to previously.
Instead of people I know and who know me and who know my dad, everyone was new to me, at least in person. There were Olympians, World Champions, Kohaku holders, and people from all over, including Australia. It was an incredible experience for me. I probably stuck out more as a country bumpkin than I'd like to admit. But I do live in Roswell!
So many things were going on! I was split between what do I do for me and what do I do so that I can teach my students! I hate having that choice. I chose things to teach. They help me too, but I'm getting a little past the prime of competitive judo.
Some of the things that were covered were grip fighting with Jacob Flores, Coaching with Paul Nogaki, Tai Sabaki and correct nage waza with Jin Iizumi, Ne Waza with AnnMaria DeMars, Games with AnnMaria and Ronda, Conditioning, and a variety of others that I didn't get near enough to remember.
I can hardly wait to figure out how to afford to go to the next one! It was an incredible experience.
I did learn somethings about myself, however.
1. My shoulders need work, I couldn't last very long in the gripping practice, expecially the randori.
2. I desparately need to work strength training and endurance training.
3. I've got to learn how to grip fight, a green belt, no matter the competitive level, should not be able to control randori with me.
4. I need to work ne waza, especially escapes.
5. I am never going to send my children to school at the Army-Navy Academy if NMMI is a viable option.
6. If it weren't for the price of gas, real estate, and the psychotic vehicle laws in California; it would be a really cool place to live.
7. I have got to compete.
8. I have got to work on financing mats for my club.
It was a really wonderufl experience overall, despite having to fly.
People I met:
Ronda Rousey, Olympian and all around neat-o person.
AnnMaria DeMars, World Champion, incredibly smart statistician, neat-o person, and Ronda's mom.
Jacob Flores Jr., really neat-o person.
Jacob Flores, Sr., neat-o person, Dr.
Rick Hawn, Olympian, neat-o person
Paul Nogaki, really interesting person, learned more than I believe he was trying to teach. also a really neat-o person.
(okay, pretty much everybody was a neat-o person, so I'm going to stop putting it on. If you're name is listed, figure yourself neat-o.)
N. Karl Maluf
Jess, from Denver Judo
Aaron Kunihiro, mean seoi nage, I liked it, too bad my arm was killing me.
Jin Iizumi
Ian, Rei-Boot
and a host of others whose names slip my mind
--------------
Things to keep in mind:
1. Shut up and pay attention. You'll learn more if you're receiving and processing than talking and outputting.
2. You do not know everything and no one else does either, but that doesn't mean that you can't learn from someone else.
3. Sometimes you just have to work through something to get it.
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