What is Judo?
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Judo--the “gentle way” in Japanese--is an Olympic sport and martial art. Judo is best known for its dynamic, high-altitude throws (flips & trips). Judo also includes a complete grappling system that incorporates turnovers, pins, and submission holds (chokes & armlocks).
Many of the grappling and ground techniques used in Judo have been adapted from Ju Jitsu. Judo is different from Karate, Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do in that there are no hitting or kicking techniques used.
Founded in Japan in 1882, Judo was developed by Dr. Jigoro Kano. Kano sought a means to refine Ju Jutsu (also translated as Jiu Jitsu or Ju Jitsu) and removed many of the dangerous techniques (eye gouges, biting, striking, etc.) so that students could practice safely in live training against resisting partners.
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Dr. Kano also incorporated effective principles of balance, leverage, and movement so that students of any size, could effectively overcome larger, stronger opponents through the application of skill, timing, and technique.
Judo can be many things: a competitive sport, a fun recreational and social activity, a discipline, a system of combat. Millions of men and women, ages 4 and up, around the world practice Judo.
Judo is practiced on tatami (special foam mats) to insure safety. Judo teaches proper falling techniques so that students can protect themselves when they hit the ground. Judo is one of the most effective systems for self-protection, and one of the best physical workouts you can participate in.
Judo uses colored belts to signify different ranks and skill levels. There is a ranking system for juniors (ages 17 and below), and a senior (adult) ranking system. Promotional tests are given to students when they have participated in a designated number of practices and have acquired the knowledge and skill to demonstrate a defined set of skills. Students are tested on Japanese vocabulary, the historical aspects of Judo, and a variety of standing, mat, and gripping techniques.
With consistent practice and dedication, a student can earn her black belt in 4-6 years.
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What is Jiu-Jitsu?
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Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that focuses heavily on grappling or “ne waza” (mat techniques) skills. Jiu-Jitsu is the Brazilian spelling of the Japanese “jujutsu” or “jujitsu”. Shortly before World War I, Mitsuyo Maeda, a student of Jigoro Kano from the Kodokan Institute in Japan, made his way to Brazil. Maeda befriended Gastao Gracie and agreed to teach his system of fighting to Carlos Gracie, Gastao’s oldest son.
Maeda’s system incorporated classical Japanese jujitsu, Kodokan Judo, and his own methods of fighting that he had developed in countless “take-all-comers” challenge matches. Carlos studied under Maeda for close to four years before opening his own school.
Carlos continued the Maeda method of teaching jiu-jitsu and incorporating live randori (free practice) and ne waza. He brought his brothers into the school and started teaching and training them. The reputation of the Gracie school advanced quickly because they fought so successfully in open-challenge public matches against a variety of other martial arts. Most of these matches had few, if any rules.
The Gracies were able to learn a tremendous amount from these fights and further refine their jiu-jitsu system. Because their system focused more on real world fighting situations than just competitive grappling, they were able to develop skills that relied more on leverage and technique, than strength and raw power.
Many of the challenge matches they fought in were against bigger, stronger opponents. Experience taught them that certain positions like on an opponent's back or in the guard (opponent is controlled between the legs) could be very advantageous. They refined numerous submission techniques that include arm locks, leg locks, wrist locks, and chokes. They demonstrated that an attacker can be subdued with a joint lock without causing great physical damage.
The Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu system has spread throughout the world and is a mainstay in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events. The Brazilian style has developed a heightened level of control on the ground not seen in other Jiu-Jitsu styles and is extremely effective in real fighting situations.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is especially useful in one-on-one weaponless combat. Unlike some arts that are practiced primarily using kata, or prearranged movements without an uncooperative opponent, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a sport and is practiced competitively.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is exceptionally effective for women since fighting on the ground is exactly the scenario found in the majority of sexual assaults.
Similar to Judo, it is learned in live grappling-sparring sessions with resisting partners. It is trained with and without gis (uniforms). Practitioners can develop practical skills for subduing an opponent on the ground without risk of injury.
A Global Sport
Judo is the most practiced martial art in the worlds and the
second most practiced sport in the world, second only to soccer. Judo has been in the Olympic Games since 1964. In almost all European, Asian, African and South American countries, you will find first-rate Judo programs.
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Timberline Judo & Jiu-Jitsu Club
6160 Lake Shore Ct.
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
(719) 310-0494 Tel.
richjudo@msn.com
© Copyright 2003-2008. Timberline Judo Club, LLC. All Rights Reserved.