The Short Drag is an excellent technique to escape your opponents front headlock. Michael breaks down Mason Parris' Short Drag from the 2020 RTC Cup and explains the adjustments that are needed when utilizing this in Jiu Jitsu to avoid putting yourself in an Anaconda Choke.

Our goal is never to be the biggest. It was to be the cool dojo that you want to go, hang out, have a barbecue.

Like any successful school, staff training is key. From running classes to interacting with customers - people must be trained. Training provides clarity, structure and comfort. The more something is structured, the happier people are (same for your students). However, in a time where there is very little structure and/or clarity, it is up to you, the gym owner to create it! 

As always, it’s important to review your local, state & federal guidelines on operating your business during COVID-19. Once you have properly educated yourself, please consider the following to help you and your school thrive once your doors re-open.

STAFF MEETINGS (VIRTUAL OR IN PERSON)

Use this meeting to give dedicated time to teach and explain WHAT type of experience you want to give your students whether it is virtual or physical. 

Consider setting weekly meetings with detailed bullet points on …

• What is expected
• Daily & weekly tasks
• Procedures on interacting with students
• Proper use of personal protective equipment

Use this meeting to set the precedent on what YOU expect from your staff. Set expectations give deadlines and most importantly, INSPECT WHAT YOU EXPECT. Don’t settle for deviations or substandard work - especially during this time! 

STAFF TRAINING (VIRTUAL OR IN PERSON)

Also, consider running weekly training sessions that consist of …

• How to run a physical & virtual training session
• Role-play scenarios
• Cleaning, opening/closing procedures, etc.

Use this meeting to give dedicated time to teach and explain WHAT type of experience you want to give your students whether it is virtual or physical. Obviously, all physical training will be heavily modified so don’t assume your staff will be able to “just figure it out”, take the time to train, and lead them to success! 

Lastly, be willing to listen to your staff and actually involve them in these meetings. You want to make sure that your staff feels comfortable working just as much as your students do coming to class. Constantly evaluate the systems and plan you put in place, gather feedback from staff, and improve the process over time. 

The cleaning strategy for your business is now larger than just keeping the floors and surfaces clean. You need to have a strategy for educating and equipping your students with the tools they need to stay clean and healthy. This is a 4 area focus for all dojos:

• Surface cleaning
• Air quality
• Hand hygiene
• Uniform cleaning for home

Every surface in your school should be cleaned with some product."

Surface cleaning:

While this may be the most straight forward of the 4 areas, it’s very important to get the right tools for the job. Every surface in your school should be cleaned with some product. From mats, doorknobs, countertops, floors, etc. No surface that has been interacted with should go untouched. 

• Premium mat cleaner for your floors
• Wide mega mop
• Hand sanitizer
• Approved wipes or disinfectants like many Clorox or Purell products. See other’s listed here.

Air quality:

Depending on the set up of your school if you have windows or not, there are two types of ways to keep the air circulating. If you have windows, consider purchasing box fans to place so the air flows or consider purchasing an air purifier/odor remover like some of these to place in your school to run during or before classes to keep the air as clean as possible. 

Hand Hygiene: 

Consider installing hand sanitizer units (wall-mounted or freestanding) or bottles placed around your school for students to use prior to entering the dojo/starting class. If supplies are limited, consider having a staff member administer sanitizer and instruct students how to apply it to preserve your supply. Here’s the article discussing hand sanitizer recommendations by the CDC. 

Consider even modifying your uniform policy to avoid unnecessary items inside your school (gi tops, belts, or bags)."

Uniform Cleaning:

Now more than ever it’s important to have students wash their gi and/or gi immediately after class. Consider even modifying your uniform policy to avoid unnecessary items inside your school (gi tops, belts, or bags). Students should be coming to class in their uniforms to avoid small/close quarter areas such as changing rooms and should be taking their uniform off immediately when they get home to wash it with any normal detergent used in a washing machine.

Whether you're running online classes or are beginning to open for physical classes, it's for certain that the structure of Martial Arts classes are going to change for the foreseeable future. We've talked with some of the world's most successful gym owners to see what their classes look like.

Make sure that your students have the tools needed to practice the techniques you're teaching.

Structure:

For online classes and in person classes we want to keep students engaged and provide value. The best way to do this is to break classes up into smaller chunks of time and to keep them actively engaged. Across most schools we interviewed, the structure goes like this:

• Warming up (10 minutes)
• jumping jacks, mountain climbers, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, skipping in place.
• Circuit training (10 minutes)
• presenting your students with a challenge like circuit training keeps them engaged - one example was 45 second circuits with 10 seconds of rest like this - for 3 rounds.
• 45 seconds of exercise #1
• 10 second rest
• 45 seconds of exercise #2
• 10 second rest
• 45 seconds of exercise #3
• 10 second rest
• Technical training (10 minutes)
• make sure that your students have the tools needed to practice the techniques you're teaching. Household items are great and make the practice novel. Also - including parents or family members always is a good idea. Helping them build a bond together helps show the value of your training and will keep them coming back.

Other things you can incorporate into your program:

• Leadership/life skill training (youth students)
• Whether you develop your own or buy a program, focusing on leadership/life skills is important now more than ever. Cooperation, kindness, patience, discipline, are a few examples of what themes go perfectly with what we (and the child) are dealing with. Have homework, ask questions and have rewards ready for those who excel.
• Special workouts (all students)
• Host workouts the entire family can do! Little to no martial arts but use your warm up and circuit routine to get families moving. Plus kids love working with their parents, find some “partner exercises” so they have to work together. The more you can do to promote family and community  - the better.
• Game Nights / Parents Night In (youth students)
• Coffee / Happy Hour (adults)
• Schedule a relaxed virtual coffee and/or happy hour to sit down with members and hangout. One thing people are missing is social interaction, your martial arts school is a place where people look for that social aspect so why not bring it directly to them.

Running a dojo requires lots of information and maintenance. While staff members and training are key, so is the software you choose to run your business. Picking the right one can make your job a lot easier and can make the student experience skyrocket.

Our software decision was critical to our success."
- Jimmy Pedro

However, every academy needs different things. Here are our suggestions for the best martial arts software of 2020 broken down by ADVANCED, INTERMEDIATE, and BEGINNER.

Spark Membership [ADVANCED]

View Spark website

The Spark Membership CRM tool is robust and powerful but takes commitment. It's fully programmable and has the most powerful tools for gym owners that we've seen to date. It definitely is considered a premium solution, with a price tag to match, but we think it's worth it.

Features include:

• email and SMS message abilities
• automations based on student actions
• review generator
• scheduling and calendar capabilities
• lead funnels
• student iPhone and Android app
• payment automations

Martial Arts on Rails [INTERMEDIATE]

View MA on Rails website

The MA on Rails tool is a streamlined martial arts software that packs a powerful punch at an affordable price. For those that are looking to automate payments and have access to some automation tools, this is a great option to try out. This software can definitely do the heavy lifting.

Features include:

• email and SMS message abilities
• automations based on student actions
• rank and attendance tracker
• scheduler tool
• contract and payment automations
• referral management
• website and funnel manager

FUJI ProShop [INTERMEDIATE]

View FUJI ProShop on Rails website

The FUJI ProShop software is developed by the same team that runs the FUJI BJJ Tournament Series and they take a unique approach to martial arts business software. Not only does it allow you to manage your members with email notifications and rank reports but they are also developing tools that let you order gear up front and pay it off over time against your recurring tuition revenues. This is what makes the FUJI ProShop software stand out from the pack and should definitely be considered when you evaluate software.

Features include:

• email message abilities
• automations based on student actions
• rank and attendance tracker
• check in QR code generator
• scheduler tool
• contract and payment automations

Martialytics [BEGINNER]

View Martialytics website

Martialytics is a great option for those that want a simple, clean, and aesthetically pleasing app for quickly tracking attendance. Seriously, this application is a beautiful as they come. Getting started on this platform is a snap and the Martialytics team went through the user experience with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything was super simple and easy to use.

Features include:

• email message abilities
• automations based on student actions
• rank and attendance tracker
• contract and payment automations

Other notable applications:

• MyStudio App
• Mindbody
• Zenplanner

This is going to be an ongoing conversation we have here on the FUJI Fit Blog. In today’s post I’m going to touch on a few pieces of mental preparation before competition and we’ll elaborate on each in the coming weeks. The most underrated and underutilized aspect of training is that small piece that lies in between your ears. For those still confused, your mental game is of the utmost importance when it comes to training effectively and executing appropriately. We touched on this in the “Simplify and Execute” blog briefly, but this will be a little bit more in-depth look at how to use the mental component of your game to your advantage…instead of letting it yank you around.
 

Going into any competition, you make sure your body feels good, you get your head in the right space, you control your mindset, right? But like anything else, if we’re not practicing it beforehand, it’s tough to get into the right space when you need to. Before you utilize a specific throw during a match, you make sure you’ve got the basics down and a good handle on it. The same needs to be true for your mental preparation. So how do you do that? What’s the most effective method? Truth is, it’s going to vary for each person, so you have to see what works best for you. What follows will be some suggestions but try a bunch out and what carries over for you into competitions might be different for others. That’s okay! Find out what works best for you and then trust it.

Visualization

I’m willing to bet the first time you try something new, you’re not immediately a champion at it. Maybe you’re good, perhaps surprisingly so, but you’re not the best ever, and you’re not the best you’ll ever be at it either. While you can’t anticipate every single scenario you’ll encounter when you hit the mats, you certainly can prepare by imagining a variety of situations and preparing for each. If you’ve never anticipated what may happen on the mats, each situation, each move your opponent makes will be a surprise. If you’ve already thought through a competition and imagined what may happen, you’re less likely to be surprised, more likely to keep a cool head, and more likely to execute and accomplish exactly what you came to do. Again, we’ll get more in depth in the coming weeks on this specifically but keep this one in mind. Visualization can be an absolute game changer when utilized consistently and it has a lot to do with neurological components and the ability of your brain and body to perceive the inputs you’re giving it as real. No wonder you can handle the situations you visualize and prepare for so effectively! Your body and mind feels like it’s already done it thanks to the visualization stimulus you’ve given it in the weeks and months leading up!

Grit

I think a more common term for this is “mental toughness” instead of “grit.” Personally, I think “mental toughness” is too vague and often overused, so we’re going to stick with the term “grit” here instead. Grit is actually defined as “courage or resolve; strength of character” which is super applicable to sports, but especially individual sports, and especially combat sports like judo and jiu jitsu. When whether or not you succeed or fail is almost exclusively left up to you and defined in a moment where you stand alone by yourself, you’re going to need an extraordinary amount of courage and resolve to withstand good, bad, and everything in between. This is a tough thing to train, and even more difficult to teach. Oftentimes, you either have it or you don’t. But there are a few key components and tips and tricks that can really help cultivate this characteristic of grit. And it can take years to develop in adequate amounts, but ultimately I think individual athletes, and especially combat athletes start off in a really good position with preexisting levels of grit, cultivating it further is the fun part. It becomes a competition with you and yourself and you get to prove that you’re the grittiest, hardest working, scrappiest underdog every single day.

Competitive Mindset

The tips and tricks outlined above and soon to be elaborated upon will help create an incredibly solid foundation upon which you will be able to rely during challenging moments in your training and especially in your competitions. Ultimately, I want to give you some tips and tools so the following phrase rings true each and every time you step up to compete:

Have you done everything you possibly could to prepare? Then you have nothing to be worried about."

If you have done everything in your power to be in tip top physical and mental condition when you compete, (and by the way, this does include rest and recovery, we’ll touch on that too) then all you have to do is execute. That’s the fun part, where you get to showcase all of the hard work you did in the dark on the spotlight of the mats. Lastly, I also want you to think about that phrase every time you consider skipping a round, or a rep, or a mobility session. If you do everything you can to take care of your body, you’ll have nothing to worry about come match day. Use that as fuel to motivate you when motivation is low, when it’s easier not to do than to do. Work so hard during training that you don’t have a shadow of a doubt when you compete. Then be a champion.

In my high school homeroom, there was a slew of cheesy posters plastered to the walls. The only one I remember was this:

Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars

Fifteen-year-old me viewed that message with an eye roll. But I must’ve internalized it because ten years later, it is how I relay the message of visualization most effectively to younger athletes.

Believe It. Achieve It.

Visualization is a skill that has a massive payoff and potential, and yet is vastly underutilized in sports today. When we set our sights on the highest possible level of achievement (not what level you think is attainable, but the highest possible level) to the moon (so to speak), we create expectations far beyond what anyone else would dictate to be the capacity of our skill. What’s interesting is that our brains will believe what we tell it, provided we believe it to be true as well. In his bestselling book Thinking Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman wrote the following: “A message, unless it is immediately rejected as a lie, will have the same effect on the associative system regardless of its reliability…Whether the story is true, or believable, matters little, if at all.”

That is one of the coolest phenomenon’s I’ve ever encountered. Because you think something, your associative system genuinely thinks it’s possible. We can be our biggest cheerleader in this, and we can also be our own worst enemy. In sport and life, we talk about this idea of the “Self-Fulfilling Prophecy” and whether or not you believe in the good or the bad does seem to have an effect. Whether or not you believe you will succeed or fail can have an impact on whether or not you do. 

Visualization As A Skill

What does this have to do with visualization? Well if you can create a detailed narrative of how a fight will go, anticipating attacks and defending them, anticipating your ultimate victory, and anticipating that feeling of happiness, fulfillment and relief…it turns out if you can imagine all of that, you’re more likely to experience it. And this is why visualization is the truest and realest secret weapon that athletes are just beginning to tap into.

I’ll leave you with this, one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books, Legacy by James Kerr from his chapter “Expectations.” If you haven’t read it, I would highly recommend it for being aware of and then ultimately engaging the appropriate competitive mindset for any occasion.

“It pays to hoist our sights if we aspire to be world class: to create for ourselves a narrative of extreme, even unrealistic ambition. It doesn’t even matter if it’s true, or reasonable, or possible, it only matters that we do it.”

It seems the age-old adage remains true: “visualize to actualize.” Do me a favor, in the weeks leading up to it, before your next competition, spend an hour a week (split this up between two days, so two 30-minute sessions) setting the scene. Be in the arena, feel the mats beneath your toes. Look your opponent in the eye. Anticipate their every move. Counter their attacks. React to penalty calls. Keep your head on straight. Walk away victorious. Imagine that feeling. And do this over and over again in great detail. By the time you hit the mat for the competition, you will have already been there, and have already been successful there and you’ll feel comfortable, confident, and focused.

In my high school home room, there was a slew of cheesy posters plastered to the walls. The only one I remember was this:

Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars

Fifteen-year-old me viewed that message with an eye roll. But I must’ve internalized it because ten years later, it is how I relay the message of visualization most effectively to younger athletes.

Visualization is a skill that has a massive payoff and potential, and yet is vastly underutilized in sports today."

When we set our sights on the highest possible level of achievement (not what level you think is attainable, but the highest possible level) to the moon (so to speak), we create expectations far beyond what anyone else would dictate to be the capacity of our skill. What’s interesting is that our brains will believe what we tell it, provided we believe it to be true as well. In his bestselling book Thinking Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman wrote the following: “A message, unless it is immediately rejected as a lie, will have the same effect on the associative system regardless of its reliability…Whether the story is true, or believable, matters little, if at all.”

That is one of the coolest phenomenon’s I’ve ever encountered. Because you think something, your associative system genuinely thinks it’s possible. We can be our biggest cheerleader in this, and we can also be our own worst enemy. In sport and life, we talk about this idea of the “Self-Fulfilling Prophecy” and whether or not you believe in the good or the bad does seem to have an effect. Whether or not you believe you will succeed or fail can have an impact on whether or not you do.

What does this have to do with visualization? Well if you can create a detailed narrative of how a fight will go, anticipating attacks and defending them, anticipating your ultimate victory, and anticipating that feeling of happiness, fulfillment, and relief…it turns out if you can imagine all of that, you’re more likely to experience it. And this is why visualization is the truest and most real secret weapon that athletes are just beginning to tap into.

I’ll leave you with this, one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books, Legacy by James Kerr from his chapter “Expectations.” If you haven’t read it, I would highly recommend it for being aware of and then ultimately engaging the appropriate competitive mindset for any occasion.

“It pays to hoist our sights if we aspire to be world class: to create for ourselves a narrative of extreme, even unrealistic ambition. It doesn’t even matter if it’s true, or reasonable, or possible, it only matters that we do it.”

It seems the age-old adage remains true: “visualize to actualize.” Do me a favor, in the weeks leading up to it, before your next competition, spend an hour a week (split this up between two days, so two 30-minute sessions) setting the scene. Be in the arena, feel the mats beneath your toes. Look your opponent in the eye. Anticipate their every move. Counter their attacks. React to penalty calls. Keep your head on straight. Walk away victorious. Imagine that feeling. And do this over and over again in great detail. By the time you hit the mat for the competition, you will have already been there, and have already been successful there and you’ll feel comfortable, confident, and focused.

The drop seio is one of the most common throws in judo at any level. Adding a component of left on right (i.e. same-sided) complicates the technique a little bit, but does not render it overall impossible. The left on right drop seio is just as basic to execute as opposite sided, the angles just change a little bit.

Travis Stevens executes the same sided drop seio with Jack Hatton. Both men are 81kg judo players. Make no mistake, they're both strong and explosive athletes. Jack and Travis are both as serious about their time in the gym as they are about their time on the mats. Lifting is important for judo players. As is maintaining and working on the mental side of your game. And nutrition. In fact, lifestyle of an elite athlete is incredibly important.

If you're an aspiring judo player, make sure you get all parts of your life in order. It will only help you on the mats. Take it from some of the best in the game!"

Key Details To Drop Seio:

Let's get back to the left on right drop seio and the details of this technique! A few steps you should aim to follow when doing this throw follow.

1. You MUST have inside control. You will need to make sure you have a strong post that is under your opponent's arm. When you later twist in to jack your opponent up on your toes, this positioning will come in handy.

2. Snap your opponent to the side. Do this while moving in front. The snap and front-move will enable you to turn, create whip, and drop down through. The STEP and WHIP is the most important part. This will create the speed you need to shock your opponent and complete the throw.

3. Drop through your opponents legs, never in front of them. If in front, they can counter easily. If through, they have no choice but to be thrown.

Common Mistakes To Drop Seio: 

The left on right drop seio can be complicated if you ever get lost in what should be done. The common mistakes you want to make sure you don't do are as follows:

1. Dropping on the side of the leg

2. Not making a rotation

3. Not opening up your opponent to make a successful attack

A Final Thought

It isn't often we will tell you what not to do, but those mistakes are so common with the drop seio they're worth mentioning. Everyone has messed up throws before and ultimately, we will continue to do so. That's sport! And that's especially the nature of judo and judo throws. If you ever saw a ratio of throws tried versus throws that worked, me oh my we would all be shocked at how rarely throws actually work! That said, it is still incredibly important to practice correctly.

Take your time going through this video and make sure you really focus on what TO do, not what not to do. The left on right drop seio can be really beautiful and scary when executed correctly. Get a good training partner and drill over and over again. Be explosive, take care of yourself, and have some fun!

--- Watch Below ---



Let's be honest: going against a same sided opponent can overall be a real pain in the butt. Never is this more true than when getting the sleeve left vs. right side. That means if you are a righty and you're going against a lefty opponent, gaining access to their sleeve can seem like an impossible task. If your opponent is a little bit better than you are, this can be especially true! Superior opponents are not impossible to beat. You must come at them with everything you have. Brains and brawn need to combine in order to culminate in victory. Knowledge of every scenario, especially how to gain the sleeve, will put you in an advantageous position.

Judo players have run into this problem time and again. You get control inside and want to throw. And you could! If only it weren't for the frustration of not being able to get to the sleeve of your opponent. Sometimes if the grip is gained, it doesn't feel strong enough to finish the throw. Getting the sleeve left vs. right sided opponents can be a real head-scratcher. It doesn't have to be!

Travis Stevens goes over the technique in this video, it can help you and save you from years of frustration. Since the leg grab has been removed from judo, the use of this technique to get the sleeve will help you be able to fully commit to the throw.

When you fully commit here, you get a strong pull and off balance of your opponent.

All of which will ultimately lead to a higher likelihood of executing the throw, scoring points, and becoming a champion.

Key Details To Getting The Sleeve:

1. Make sure your post starts on the bottom. It is possible to execute from the top, but overall much more dangerous. If you start from the bottom, you set up a good foundation for the rest of this technique.

2. Speed Kills. If you're not familiar with this saying, get familiar! Using speed here will be far and away superior to any other method. Strength won't save you, speed will. The speed will get you the reaction you want out of your opponent and set up the grip (and eventual throw) nicely.

3. Trap the elbow. If you grab the end of the sleeve, that can be helpful, but the odds of you finishing well decrease significantly. If you focus on overshooting the elbow, you will have a higher percentage of ending up at the end of the sleeve. Ultimately you want to trap the elbow, so do that, nothing else.

A Final Thought

When caught going up against a talented same sided opponent, the technique in this video can save you. Getting the sleeve left vs. right handed opponents (thus, same sided) can be really frustrating if you don't know where to start. Luckily, this video exists, and it can really help you gain an advantage! An advantage can be the true game changer. Paired with some proper training and lifting to elevate your speed and power, it is a match made in heaven.

Execute the details. Drill over and over. Executing your training and this technique at full speed means you're on a really good track. Lastly, a good training partner will only help you get better. Find a great same-sided training partner for this technique and hit the mats!

--- Watch Below --- 

How to Get a High Grip on Same Sided Opponents

How to get a high grip on a same sided opponent is a conundrum as old as time. If you've ever struggled to get a high grip on a same sided opponent, you know what we're talking about. Same sided opponents, in general, can be a tough challenge. It can be really frustrating to go up against someone and feel like you're either in a stalemate. Or even worse, feel like you're losing because you can't manage to get a grip on them. In the technique in the video here, you'll find some useful tips for getting a grip on your same sided opponent. Travis Stevens (a right handed fighter) used this technique most often to get his right hand down the back of his opponents. See what he does in the video and be sure to follow our step-by-step as we break this technique down.

Power Grip Breakdown

Here are a few key points to be sure you pay attention to when trying to drill and execute this technique. Be sure to watch the video all the way through first. Then break it down into smaller bite-sized pieces.

1. Make sure you have a strong post. You don't want to allow your opponent to put any hand on the gi other than their same side (so right under righties arm or left under lefties arm)

2. Sidestep! Sidestepping will help you create a greater angle and make it much more difficult for your opponent to grab the gi. Space and control is key here.

3. When you throw your hand, try to make sure your bicep comes into contact with your opponent's face. This is a sneaky nuance but very important! You want to make sure you gather their head so you can pick it up! This will help you ultimately finish what you started.

A Word of Warning

You may run into the problem Travis Stevens constantly found. Sometimes your opponent won't take the grip under your arm because they know that the instant they do, you'll manage to ascertain that high grip. If you follow the step-by-step above, you're much less likely to run into this as an issue. But, as always, drilling it into oblivion will be extremely helpful in nailing it in competition.

A Final Thought

This technique and working to gain that high grip on your opponent is pretty simple to learn. Even better, it is fairly risk free as well. That's probably the most appealing part of it. Even if you end up missing your grip with your hand (right for righties, left for lefties) you're in a pretty good spot. You'll still manage to maintain a grip on your opponent's collar and your opponent will have no hands on your gi. If that isn't a recipe for success you may need to return to more basic judo!

--- Watch Below ---

When going up against same sided opponents, it can be eternally challenging to get a good grip on them. This is especially true if your opponent is playing exceptional defense and keeping you far. The action happens close up, so you need to find a way to get close. Doing Kosoto on same sided athletes can alleviate a lot of the struggle that occurs when going up against a same sided opponent. The best part? It is a fairly simple technique to learn, you just have to drill and drill again.

Travis and Kosoto

Travis Stevens used this throw a lot in international competition. He wasn't ever known for it because it never really resulted in a lot of scores, but that was never his intention afterall! Kosoto can be a super high-risk move. It is easily countered and doesn't result in a lot of scores. But, when fighting players who are keeping you at bay and not engaging in a lot of action, it can be a high-risk, high-reward type of move. Kosoto is also absolutely beautiful when executed well.

Kosoto Secrets

Kosoto is also great way to off balance your opponent, causing them to think twice about standing in such a defensive position. Ultimately, it mixes up the action and can play a huge role in getting you into a more advantageous position. After doing a throw like this, players are more likely to stand and face you, making it easier to pull off the throws that you feel more confident scoring with.

A Few Key Points

1. Your opponent has to be playing a strong defense to your forward throws, keeping you locked at an arms length on that same side. This can be endlessly frustrating, but don't let your frustration get the better of you. Kosoto can be high risk, but it can definitely yield really positive results if you execute it well. That strong defense by your opponent needs to be broken down if you stand a chance at scoring (and ultimately winning).

2. You're going to want to get the gi over their shoulder. Their defensive position makes this difficult, but knowing where you want to end up is really helpful in planning your way to get there. Look for opportunities and your line of attack to ensure a smooth delivery.

3. Make sure you chop your opponent behind the knee when taking a step. This is going to get your opponent off balance and give you the opportunity for optimal hand placement. Chopping the back of their knee while simultaneously hitting them hard will allow you to control their body and finish the throw.

4. Hit your opponent hard with your free hand either across the chest or the head. You can scoop underneath their arm or club them across the head. Either are great options depending on what you prefer as an athlete. Travis likes the head option and it can certainly be extra disorienting for your opponent to be thrown like that. Also, think about leverage and what will give you a greater chance at finishing the throw.

Final Thoughts

Going up against good defense can be super frustrating when all you want to do is score. Doing Kosoto on same sided athletes can be a really effective remedy for stalemates when done properly. Travis does a great job teaching the method here in this video. Learn the steps and, as always, keep on drilling!

Lastly, make sure you're recovering well and fueling your body with what it needs to be a champion!

--- Watch Below ---

Breaking Down A Stiff Arm

Opponents who keep a firm grip on you with stiff arms are everywhere in judo. The beginning judo player is sure to have encountered this. Stiff arms essentially keep you at bay. The best bet you have in this fight is to gain an inside grip on your opponent's shoulder. This can then be used it to control them. Thereby methodically breaking down a stiff arm. This isn't quite like breaking grips, but is a really helpful technique just the same. In this step by step video, Travis breaks down the technique into bite size chunks. This will help deliver tangible goals to you.

Creating a Whip

Fighting is almost synonymous with tension and aggression. The truth is, one of the most important things for a fighter is to be relaxed. And it is extremely difficult to learn how to be relaxed and fighting all at once. The relaxation allows us to create elasticity. That elasticity is a "whip" feeling so many elite players are accustomed to creating. The reality is, it's a lot harder to do than they make it look! It's very difficult to be in a fight and simultaneously be relaxed at once. The whip comes from being relaxed up until the very moment they must tense at the end range and create an explosion. This is akin to a spring! This goes back to the stretch shortening cycle and is super common to find in strength training.

Tensing and the Judo Player

Ultimately, fear of getting thrown is what causes judo players to tense up and become stiff. Stiffness will lead to an inability to create elasticity, explosiveness, and whip. When your opponent is giving you a good stiff arm, it's because they are nervous and locked into fear. Take it as a good sign, even if you can't score. The real problem lies when we are losing and our opponent starts to stiff-arm us. They do this because they don't have to really do anything in order to win other than hold on. This is where breaking down a stiff arm comes into play big time. We have to force the action and take some risk in order to score.

Breaking down a stiff arm isn't utilized as often as it could be, so definitely learn it and use it to your advantage.

If you're exceptional at creating that whip, at being relaxed and aggressive all at once, this technique can yield some really excellent results for you. Below are some keep points that you can focus on when learning to execute breaking down a stiff arm.

Key Points

1. Make sure you have two hands on your opponent. This not only helps you control them, but it gives you an opportunity to regain control if they counter your attempt to break them.

2. Try to make sure you have a steady tension on your opponent. Again this doesn't have to be a death grip, but that steady tension will lead you to create the whip that you want momentarily.

3. Circle toward your strong hand. Whichever is your dominant side, that's the direction you want your opponent going in. That way you can be extra certain you're maintaining control.

4. Attack the elbows. Don't pull them straight in but try and focus on widening their elbows. This opening will allow you to execute the rest of the break with relative ease.

Final Thoughts

Breaking down a stiff arm is a lot simpler than it may initially feel when you encounter a fighter keeping you at a literal arm's length. Securing that inside grip and driving your dominant hand up in order to circle your opponent is super hard to counter. That puts you in a really advantageous position, provided you've laid down the foundation and done everything in the right order. This can be super challenging in the moment, but very rewarding when you've regained some control and really re-entered the fight.

Another consideration is how well you can already create whip. If it's not great, it may be worthwhile to work on some strength and mobility, you just might surprise yourself! Keep in mind, being relaxed until you need to be explosive is going to give you the best chance at creating that elastic whip. Think about lengthening those muscle fibers with relaxation and then tensing abruptly and all at once, that's power! That's an explosion!

Give some thought to what we've presented here and see how well you put these words into play on the mats. Breaking down a stiff arm is a simple concept, and can be easy in execution if you're explosive and ready to fight!

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If you haven’t heard of Angie Delgado yet, you’re about to know her name as familiarly as the best professional athletes you follow. Angie is the number 1 ranked athlete in the United States in Judo. THE number one, meaning she currently outranks all other male and female athletes in the US! As if that weren’t enough, Angie competed in the 2016 Olympics and represented the US in the 52kg category. If her accolades didn’t speak highly enough about her, wait until you see what she can do on the mats. Her specialty is The Koshi Garuma to Ouchi Gari.

In this video, Angie describes and executes one of her favorite combinations: Koshi Garuma to Ouchi Gari. Watch once first all the way through, and then re-watch to really grasp all of the details she throws into this combo.  Much like a refined palate can pick out the initial taste of food, and goes back for a second bite for the equally important undertones profiles of the dish; this combination is packed with flavor and personality. Speaking of food, among the many things Angie does well, eating right is right up there with them. As a fighter, what you fuel your body with is of utmost importance. Without further ado, let's get started!

A Career in Sales

In this combination, a successful result relies on real commitment from both players. That means that the assailant (in this case, Angie) has to really sell and attempt the first throw, as if it were her true aim (the first throw referring to the Koshi Garuma). Once Angie sells it, her partner (in this case, Adonis, also a number 1 ranked US athlete in the 60kg division) has to give her a real reaction in defending the forward throw.

Newton’s Laws of Motion

Let’s take a brief moment here to throw it back to high school science class. Whether or not you paid attention to them, Newton’s Laws of Motion are in play whenever we are. In this case, the best example is Newton’s Third Law. Simply put: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Angie cites this law in the video (looks like she paid attention in science class) and it is a really fitting description for what she is doing.

The Breakdown

By selling the first throw, she’s able to get an equal and opposite reaction out of Adonis, that reaction is what allows her to execute the Ouchi Gari using Adonis’ reaction against him. How does she do this so well? And what can you take away from this step-by-step? We’re glad you asked!

Step 1 Koshi Garuma to Ouchi Gari:

First and foremost, you have to make a committed first throw, which forces your opponent to block. Your ability to sell this throw, and their subsequent reaction, is what sets up a successful Ouchi Gari. Without you selling the Koshi Garuma, the Ouchi Gari doesn’t happen. This combination can be deadly to your opponent, but you have to set it up right.

Step 2 Koshi Garuma to Ouchi Gari:

Once you’ve sold the Koshi Garuma and your opponent takes the bait, take a step and pivot back into them and get your head close to theirs. It is very important that your head is on the opposite side as the leg you are reaping, so pay very close attention to your head placement when you spin back into your opponent.

Step 3 Koshi Garuma to Ouchi Gari:

Now the fun part: Sweep the leg! Keep contact and maintain pressure on your opponent’s chest through the duration of the sweep. Angie sticks to Adonis like glue in this video, not giving an inch and doing everything she can to support the work she just did.

Step 4 Koshi Garuma to Ouchi Gari:

Your landing is critical, by ensuring you land smoothly and maintain that chest pressure on your opponent, you give yourself the best chance at staying in control and finishing the job. It’d be foolish to not take advantage of a well-executed combination like this, the easiest way to lose it at the last moment (and you better believe it is easy) is to forget to maintain chest pressure on your opponent. Don’t make that mistake!

Combination throws are underutilized and vastly underestimated skills. When doing judo, it’s extremely important to have a super strong arsenal of combination throws. How many times have you been doing judo and felt like your opponent knew each and every move you were throwing at them? With a well-executed combination, you can trick your opponent and rack up scores, and find a way to win.

Misdirection and Trickery

Misdirection is sometimes the best way to get scores. Really selling throws, tricking your opponent and catching them off guard is the way to do it. Angie does a great job misdirecting Adonis into thinking she is fully committing to a forward direction. Little does Adonis know, she has no intention on carrying out the full Koshi Garuma. Adonis plays a strong defense, which is just what Angie wanted (and needed) and by the time she shifts her momentum and transitions into the Ouchi Gari, it is too late for Adonis and Angie scores with her backward technique.

A Final Thought

The cool part about combinations is that they can be unique to the individual. While most combinations have been tried and experimented with, you get to decide which works for you and which ones you can really sell and score with. So get off the internet, get to the mats, and try a few out! Let us know how they go.

--- Watch Below ---

Drop Seoi Nage

If you’re looking to be the best at what you do, it’s pretty important that you take the time to learn from the best. Adonis Diaz is a National Judo Champion, ranked number 1 in the 60kg division, and is currently training for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. One of Adonis’ best throws? The Drop Seoi Nage. Adonis’ mastery of this technique has enabled him to throw countless opponents in international judo competitions and find success in a number of tournaments. Take the time to learn from his technique, and you will be on your way to mastering the Drop Seoi Nage throw too.

Drop Seoi Nage Speed vs. Power

The trick to Drop Seoi Nage throw is speed, not power. Power is a helpful component for Judo players, but in this particular throw you don’t necessarily need to be the most powerful person on the mats. Instead, it is very important that you come at this with speed! Before that, though, let’s break it down into bite-size chunks, take it a little at a time, and add speed in as you get comfortable with the technique.

Drop Seoi Nage The BreakdownAdonis breaks down Drop Seoi Nage step by step and the key details follow. It’s one thing to learn by reading and watching video, it’s an entirely different thing to learn by doing. Make sure that as you learn these techniques, you’re executing them on the mats as well. That should go without saying, so without further ado, The Drop Seoi Nage:

Drop Seoi Nage Step 1:

The first place to start this throw is by controlling the very end of your opponent’s sleeve in order to ensure you have the inside control. Drop Seoi Nage sets the tone of the throw and will become increasingly more important down the road, so make sure you start right so you can finish strong.

Drop Seoi Nage Step 2:

Next up, you’re going to need to get your hips underneath your opponent. Part of Adonis’ success in this throw comes from his immaculate positioning. He manages to maintain contact and control with just one knee down. Take note of that, because not only is it impressive, but it’s important for the rest of the throw.

Drop Seoi Nage Step 3:

Ready for the speed part? Explode in an upward direction as fast as possible in order to take your opponent’s feet out from underneath them. They’re in the air, and you’re in control. A common mistake here is allowing your head to descend toward the mat when driving your opponent; don’t do that! The more control you maintain the better this throw will go for you. Notice how powerful and explosive Adonis is here. He drives up so powerfully that his knee actually comes off the mat and all of that drive is coming from his one planted foot. The power and importance of single leg strength training for the judo player is revealed in this type of unilateral stance.

Drop Seoi Nage Step 4:

When you and your opponent land, the job isn’t done yet. Make sure you maintain contact throughout and you land with your back still on your opponent’s chest. Giving them space will lead to trouble (and quickly). The best thing for you to do in order to remain in control is to stay tight to your opponent, don’t let them have too much space, keep the pressure on them and stay in control.

The best part about this technique is that, when executed properly, athletes of varying abilities can find success with it. You don’t have to be as explosive as Adonis for this throw to work well for you, you just have to be able to move your body decisively and execute the technique. Additionally, a lot of the power Adonis uses here comes from the speed at which he enters the throw, so consider that you don’t always need to be explosive, but you do need to have an element of speed in order for this throw to work well. Study this technique, and then go explore it, find the way you can best get it done, and make it work for you.

Strength Training and the Grappler

Before you go, we mentioned in step three how impressive Adonis’ single-leg strength was. In most sports, but especially in judo, you’re relying on the strength of one limb independent of the other as you go about executing technique, combinations, and throws. While a lot of this strength can be developed on the mats, it is equally important to work on your craft in the weight room as well. The best judo players in the world spend time lifting weights and developing strength outside of the dojo. The reality is that it supplements your precision, strength, and technique on the mats. Don’t be afraid of the weight room, use it to your advantage!

A Final Thought

Lastly and above all, be assertive with your decisions on the mat and fully commit to your Drop Seoi Nage. Learn from the best, then go experiment with the throw and incorporate it as your comfort and ability grows and improves.

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Do you remember learning Harai Goshi when you first began? Think back for a moment and recall what you were taught.

Harai Goshi gets taught in a multitude of different ways. In the tips that follow, you're sure to remember learning the technique initially, and maybe pick up a few new and improved methods for executing them as well. What's more is we have Kelita Zupancic, 2x Olympian, executing the lesson here! Who better to learn from than she? Ultimately, regardless of whether or no you like Harai Goshi or feel like you can utilize and identify with the throw, the video, Kelita, and the FUJI team put together a really effective step by step. Think twice before you write Harai Goshi off!

This video highlights the main fundamental principles of Harai Goshi as a throw. The details Kelita speaks to in this video are what your focus should definitely be on when drilling. When you are drilling Harai Goshi, make sure you focus on the smaller finite parts of the throw.

Have you ever heard the phrase "The beauty is in the details?" That old adage applies to life, sports, and especially judo more than anything! Once you drill the basics of Harai Goshi over and over, the rest of the big picture can be applied much more easily. Focus on the key technical points Kelita outlines, hit the mats, and then let us know how it goes!

Harai Goshi Breakdown:

In this video, Kelita Zupancic, 2x Olympain from Canada is going to teach you how she likes to utilize Harai Goshi.

A few things to pay super close attention to before we get started:

The grips she is using as well as how she manages to get the proper reaction out of her opponent.

Kelita has been using Harai Goshi for years on the international competitive stage. Make no mistake, she's an absolute animal when it comes to executing it. And without a doubt, the best person to learn this technique from. Here are some of the key details that this former World #1 athlete has when executing Harai Goshi:

Harai Goshi Step 1:

The first step to Harai Goshi is starting with a proper grip! The hand on the sleeve should be rolled underneath your opponent's arm rather than on top. Also, notice that Kelita likes to pull the head down so that her partner is forced to stand up. If you are struggling to get to this grip. When you're first starting out with Harai Goshi it's easiest to learn standing in a static position with our partners stationary. With such a technique and so many moving pieces, it is best to learn step by step and when there are limited distractions.

As with anything, we add speed as we continue drilling it and getting more and more proficient at it. As we get better and you think you might be ready for randori, take a moment and try it moving first. Ultimately, the power from this throw comes from having impeccable timing. So make sure that you are a master of each component before adding speed and complexity to it.

Harai Goshi Step 2:

Once Kelita's opponent starts to stand, she focuses on a big high pull, using her opponent's momentum against them. A common mistake made here is pulling forward and not up. It is super important that you pull UP and not forward with this technique. Reason being, we do not want our opponents reacting in a backward direction. Which will be the case if we pull forward. An upward pull will get our opponents to squat or try and move out of the way as a reaction. Think about what you want your opponent to do, and what you'd need to do in order to get them to react as such. That's the basis for any good technique, and it is true here as well!

Harai Goshi Step 3:

The key to getting this throw is to make sure you have a good strong rotation into the throw. Make sure that your back is to your partner's chest and you sweep low on the leg to finish the technique. This is the number one most common mistake for most athletes when attempting Harai Goshi. Now while we are trying to do randori we may not need a full rotation to score. It is super important to note that when you're drilling, you have to train a full range of motion. This will ensure that we strengthen all the possible muscles in their deepest respective ranges needed in order to get the technique to work.

Training Harai Goshi

There are a lot of different ways to do Harai Goshi. Every elite level athlete takes the basics and tweaks them just a little to fit their own body. This is to better suit their particular strengths, and avoid any weaknesses simultaneously. Kelita, in particular, does an exceptional job at bringing the focus of each technique back to it's very young roots. She then viciously executes the basics in order to get the most out of each technique. She does this especially well with one of her all time specialties seen here, Harai Goshi.

A Final Thought

Something to keep in mind for novice to elite level athletes: If a technique is not working for you make sure you take a step back and look at the basic principles. This will help you to see where and how you went wrong. More often than not, a simple examination of mainstay techniques will lead you right back to the problem. For complicated techniques with so many moving parts, those very finite principles and basic components to the throw are usually what we leave off when we lose focus. Make sure you return to your starting point and execute the basics exceptionally well. And, when you do, you may just be the next up and coming Kelita Zupancic. But you'll have to bring it up with her!

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Why is grip fighting important? Grip fighting helps determine everything from the tempo of a match to winning and losing. When focusing on grip fighting, we want to make sure we're blending offensive and defensive gripping. This makes sure that we are comfortable and able to grip, no matter what position you find yourself in. A lot of folks tend to think grip fighting is centered around "not letting opponents grab your gi." That's not the case. Grip fighting is ultimately the act of grabbing your opponent's gi where YOU desire. And doing so without letting them grab your gi in such a way that prevents you from attacking. So in order to grip fight, you have to have a good back and forth. This is why we focus on both offensive and defensive gripping when drilling.

Breaking Grips

Breaking grips can be a problem for everyone in the martial arts world who wear a gi. BJJ athletes need to know how to grip fight as much as Judo athletes do! There are a few ways to get your opponents grip off your gi. The first of which is by pure force. Being a lot stronger than your opponent makes breaking grips easy because you don’t have to worry too much about them countering you with a throw or controlling you. Strength matters.

Good grip fighters are masters at controlling not only the gi but the person wearing it as well."

When someone knows how to grip your sleeve, you feel like you can’t use your entire arm because they have set their grip. That's power! That's control! And that's why what we are going over is using our whole body to break the grip. Even if it's a grip of an opponent that has it established.

Grip Fighting Key Points:

• Grip fighting means just that "grip fighting!" Don’t change your stance stand your ground and fight for the grip you want. 

• You have to have a grip on with your opposite side hand it helps break the grips. As you go to pull your hand out make sure you are pushing with the hand on the collar to break the grip.

• Create motion. Try to never break a grip while standing still it can be very difficult.

Final Thoughts

One thing to keep in mind when grip fighting or breaking grips is every grip has a different break. Every key has its keyhole, every job has its right tool, every person has their match. This grip break technique works very well against players who take a traditional judo grip on the bottom of your sleeve. Grips like Catz Paws and Pistol Grips have different breaks which you can find in other videos on FUJI. When going up against opponents who may be bigger or stronger than us, it's super important to use our bodies and leverage what we can. This puts us in the best possible position for success. 

Drill breaking grips as often as you can and remember to do it from both an offensive and defensive position. This is something that will span combat sports from judo to BJJ and beyond. Get a handle on grip breaking!

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My guess is you read the headline and immediately recognized and imagined your favorite version of Osoto Gari. Something everyone can agree on is Osoto Gari is a very common judo throw at all levels of judo. From the local grassroots judo, all the way to the Olympic stage. It is so versatile and familiar in the world of judo, it's almost comforting to think about it!

There are a lot of different ways to do throws like Osoto Gari. But if you want any of them to work you should have a strong understanding of the basics before attempting to learn some of the more advanced techniques that are seen in this video and a lot of other videos you will find on the internet.

Angie Delgado and Osoto Gari

Angie Delgado is the top performing athlete in the United States for Judo currently in the year of 2018. The Osoto Gari that Angie Delgado displays in this video is a great variation of the basic version that hopefully, we all know already. When your first starting out learning judo things can seem difficult. Once you get the hang of it you will start to see some success when doing Randori.

Once you have started to have some success with your basic throws the real struggle will begin with your judo training. With success in the way of throwing people, your training partners will start to make some adjustments. It’s when people are adjusting the basic throws that you want to start getting into the different types of Osoto Gari’s you could learn. Here is a little breakdown and key points of Angie Delgado’s Osoto Gari. 

"Basics win championships" 

Key Points of Osoto Gari:

Osoto Gari Step 1:

Angie likes to start off the throw by being in the same stance as her opponents. Here she can control her opponent's sleeve and neck. When she does this, she's in the ultimate position of power. Take note.

Osoto Gari Step 2:

Angie likes to make sure that she pulls her opponents head down hard and traps it in her elbow. She makes a major effort to, and emphasizes her ability to control her opponent's head. This is often an overlooked detail with Osoto Gari.

Osoto Gari Step 3:

The pull is one of the most important parts of doing Osoto Gari. This still shot may seem mundane and basic, but there are a lot of details in this photo that are important to pay attention to. 

• Angie's foot placement – She has stepped past her opponents’ foot.
• Angie is ear to ear with the person she is trying to throw
• Angie has a strong pull because of her opponent's left foot coming off the ground.
• Watch how upright Angie is here. That's impressive!

Osoto Gari Step 4:

The leg sweep is extremely important when doing Osoto regardless of the variation you are looking to execute. More importantly, one of the most overlooked points of reference in an Osoto Gari is eye placement. Where we look is extremely important. Check out Angie's eye placement. She is looking right where she should be which is where she wants to throw her partner. Where we look dictates where we move and how, don't underestimate the importance of it.

We can see in the photo Angie is looking toward the mat over her opponent’s shoulder. This, in turn, will help her off balance her opponent and raise the percentage of scores tori will have.

Osoto Gari Step 5:

Angie Delgado makes a strong point in the video to plant her foot on the ground when doing her Osoto Gari. This is something that most instructors never teach or strongly tell you not to do. Angie, however, makes a point to put her foot down when doing the throw. This is awesome and innate with her and true competitors and athletes. While not the focus of the throw, this is a super important detail to incorporate as you become proficient in the technique!

Osoto Gari Step 7:

Here is a great shot showing how Angie likes to keep her foot on the floor when powering throw her throw. 

Final Thoughts

Remember the most important key to getting this technique to work is having a firm understanding of the basics! The advanced techniques are very pretty and sometimes elusive, but you have to make sure you have a solid foundation first. Angie is a high-level judo player who is training to make the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. She's an exceptional example. Definitely take her cues and learn from her, but make sure you're a master of the basics first!

Once you start drilling Osoto Gari and become more and more proficient in it, let us know how these tips and tricks have worked for you. It is also a great idea to come back to this post as you become a more advanced athlete to see how it can continue to help you further your training.

---Watch Video Below ---

A Well-Deserved Recognition

Jimmy Pedro 
Wakefield, Massachusetts | September 13, 2018

On September 18, 2018, Jimmy Pedro will be the first ever American judoka to be inducted into the International Judo Federation Hall of Fame. In Baku, Azerbaijan, a celebration and commemoration is in store for one of the most profound American judoka in history. Jimmy Pedro’s name, and more importantly honorable character, will be recognized alongside first inductee members Dr. Jigaro Kano, David Douillet, and Kosei Inoue among others. Inductee names were submitted to the IJF and voted upon by the IJF Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

Unprecedented Achievement

Throughout his long athletic career, Jimmy consistently embodied relentless spirit, respect, and dedication for the sport. He balanced his responsibilities as an athlete, father, husband, coach, and role model all while training, competing, and coaching at the Olympic level. Pedro’s admirable perseverance and focus yielded career accomplishments that had never been obtained by any other athlete in the United States. Jimmy Pedro’s nature of giving 100% commitment and effort to everything that he does, both large and small, is revered by his contemporaries.
Currently, Jimmy is the President of FUJI Mats, VP of FUJI Sports, and owns and operates Pedro’s Judo Center in Wakefield, MA.  He also dedicates his time teaching judo camps and clinics worldwide, and has founded the Project 2024 program which is aimed at helping inspire and prepare America’s next generation of judo champions.

Jimmy shared, “I am extremely honored and excited to be awarded this prestigious distinction by the International Judo Federation.  As a young judoka growing up I always wanted to become World Champion, Olympic Champion, and show the world that Americans can win in judo.  I never imagined that I would make it to the Judo Hall of Fame; but, I never would have been possible without the help and support from so many people around the world in this amazing sport.”

 Athletic Highlights:

• Four-Time Olympian

• Two-Time Olympic Bronze Medalist (1996, 2004)

• World Judo Champion (1999)

• World Judo Bronze medalist (1991, 1995)

• Pan Am Games Champion (1995 & 1999)

• Four-Time Pan American Champion

• More Highlights HERE

Coach Highlights:

• 2012 & 2016 US Olympic Judo Team Head Coach

•  Helped Coach & Train:

  •  Kayla Harrison – Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist (2012 & 2016) & World Champion (2010)

  • Travis Stevens – 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist

  • Ronda Rousey – 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist World Silver Medalist (2007)

  • Marti Malloy – 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist & World Silver Medalist (2013)

Uchimata is one of the most spectacular throws in Judo. Don't believe us? Ask Alisha Galles, US National Champ in 63kg division. This technique makes for some of the best highlight reel footage when browsing YouTube. In fact, the general population probably thinks of uchimata (unbeknownst to them) every time they think of judo throws. Yep. That popular. 

In this video, 3x United States Olympian Travis Stevens teams up with 63kg US National Champ Alisha Galles to show you her version of Uchimata. While basic, Alisha's version is still extremely effective in competition. Evidenced by her US champion title. 

Take a look and learn uchimata from this dream team duo. They break it down into bite size pieces to help us out with comprehension. Remember, no matter what age, weight division, or gender you are, you can always learn uchimata and use it in competition. Whatever your preferred version is, just make sure it works for you!

Uchimata is one of the most spectacular throws on the IJF Circuit!"

The Breakdown

1. The best grip for Alisha's version of this throw is pretty basic but super effective. She has a hand on her opponent's collar and locks down on the sleeve with her other hand, "killing" the sleeve. This ensures that her opponent's hand cannot come up.
2. Her opponent's struggle to raise that hand will allow Alisha to pull and knock her opponent off-balance. Making it easier for her to step into her opponent.
3. With Alisha's pulling arm, she keeps her elbow higher than her shoulder, creating a bunch of space for her to creep into her opponent and control them.
4. Use your best uchimata footwork to finish the throw!

A Final Thought

Everyone has their own version of uchimata. Travis and Alisha are both seasoned veterans in this throw. Being proficient in uchimata (amongst many others) is just one of the skills you'll learn at the team USA training location, Pedro's Judo Center in Wakefield, MA.

The best part of uchimata, aside from it being an awe-inspiring spectacle, is how accessible of a spectacle it can be. While not necessarily easy to learn, there are ways to make it your own and make it work for you and your style of judo.

Learning from Travis and his team is a great opportunity to improve your judo! Have some fun and let us know how it goes! 

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How to Tie Your Belt

Picture this: You're five years old and your parents decide it's time for you to learn how to tie your shoes. They either teach you the loop swoop and pull method, or (better yet) the bunny ears method. You try over and over again to perfect your finite motor skills. So young. Trying to learn. Repetition after repetition. Now picture this: How to tie your belt is a similar right of passage.

The very first thing you learn how to do when you start martial arts is how to tie your belt.

A Lesson From A Great Coach

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden spent the first practice of every year with the UCLA Bruins teaching them how to put on their socks. He believed if you put your socks on incorrectly, you'd get blisters, then miss practice, then games. Coach Wooden thought it you learned how to properly do the small things that mattered, it would add up down the road. Ultimately, it was a lesson in attention to detail and good habit building. Much like learning to tie your shoes. And much like learning how to tie your belt.

Tying your belt can be the most confusing a frustrating things you learn how to do."

In all of the martial arts. Imagine that! Learning how to do it properly will set you up for confidence and success as you move through your training session. This video will prove how simple it is to tie your belt. When you learn how to take care of important details properly, good habits are formed. When good habits are formed, training becomes a lot easier. Start with building the right habits.

Learning how to tie your belt can be as simple as you want or as complex as you want. Travis Stevens uses the professional knot. He finds that it is the only knot that stays together so he doesn't have to keep tying it during training. While retying your belt during training may not seem like a big deal think about this: Each time you re-tie your belt you're pausing your training for about 30 seconds. If you have to do that three times a session, you've lost nearly 2 minutes of valuable training time. Over the course of a week that's closer to 10 minutes of training time. And over the course of a year that equates to 520 minutes of lost training time (or just over 8 hours). Little things add up. Don't lose training time. Learn how to properly tie your belt.

A Final Thought

Ultimately, you don't want to be one of those athletes who always has their belt come undone and fall off. You're not only detracting from your own training time, but your partner's as well. There is nothing worse than watching your partner fiddle with their belt in the middle of a round. When it's time to train or drill the last thing you want to do is take away from that time tying your belt. Taking care of details and even the mental game is pivotal.

Take a few minutes and try the knots in the video. During training, if you find yourself tying your belt constantly during training try a different knot. Attention to details and building good habits is one of the foundations of exceptional athletes. Take time to learn how to do it right and let us know what you think!

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One of the most popular newaza techniques on the IJF World Circuit is none other than the Reverse Sankaku. Kelita Zupancic has been perfecting this technique throughout her entire career. Over time, reps, and some fierce focus, Kelita has become so proficient and good at it that she wins most of her matches on the IJF World Circuit due to it. And some other seriously hard work and components. Reverse Sankaku is only one move in a series of moves that Kelita Zupancic links together. The 1, 2, 3 punch combination of the series is what makes Reverse Sankaku so effective for Kelita.

Having options in newaza and an arsenal of techniques to choose from can be the difference maker between champion and runner up."

Reverse Sankaku Done With Ease