my fights at a recent Judo contest

[Charlie]

Here are four of my matches at a recent Judo contest. They're not very flash, but any comments appreciated if you like. Some nice throws at the end.

http://one.revver.com/watch/267367

1 - i was pretty happy with that fight. That guy has been playing for 10 years in Japan, hong-kong & elsewhere, so he was much better than me. I did well by thwarting his lefty grip, controlling his left sleeve rather than letting him have my lapel frustrated him. I got robbed when the ref called that final throw as a waza-ari -- it was only a little roll across my bum, should have been small points. But he very likely would have found another way to win though, so its no big deal.

2 - I was happy with my quick hips blocking a few throws, and very pleased with my armbar escape. Not happy with my pathetic drop-seoinage and general lack of attacks.

3 - a very fast paced opponent. Again, wish I could have found/made some better opportunities for effective throws on him. Got lucky when the ref correctly downgraded my opponent's tai-otoshi to a waza-ari instead of an ippon. Also lucky when he restarted us, Just as the guy finally passed my guard :-) But to no avail, lost through another pin.

4 - this was the most fun for me. Then some good chances at strangles, which didn't happen to work. Then there was a point around 7:08 when I probably would have preferred to continue attacking him on the ground (he was flattened out, I had an arm under his) but my coach told me instead to stand up and throw him, so I disengaged -- Just conditioned to take his advice I guess. As it was i got sloppy and could easily have lost just afterwards - I couldn't quite believe I got such a dominant grip, and was just starting about to make a sumi-gaeshi type sacrifice when he throw me down quite well. Luckily the ref saw I landed on my side, so didn't give him an ippon. But then I was quite happy to find then a fairly nice & fluid drop-seoinage soon afterwards to bring a win.

[Scott Sonnon]

Charlie,

Nice work. I can see that you've put a great deal into your aggressive tactical strategy. I can also tell that you've tried to invest in your footwork, and if you shave off some of that work, you'll settle back into your structure nicely. You can work on some deeper structure which would help you thwart a lot of the attacks you faced against the subsequent opponents.

Look to the energetic difference between your first opponent and yourself. You were too far on the balls of your feet. Your second opponent tried to counter this by pulling back on you, leaning back against your grip. You managed better against him because of it. Your first opponent sat down into his structure, mid-foot balance, relaxed and coiled. He had good structure, and that pulled your already tilting stance into him. There were throws that you were exposed to because his stance pulled your head down over your hips. Although you launch a salvo of attacks, he was prepared for them because you were already off-balanced.

That ball-of-foot lean also led to your energy being a little too spastic to compensate, so that you could move and attack. Although it will initially feel like you can attack less often, if you root down more into your structure, you'll be able to control your energy and remain more calm. Doing so will allow you to feel attacks earlier, and you'll become a better counter-fighter.

A deep structure calms your energy, and confuses your opponents. It gives the impression of confidence and experience. Attack his attacks. And when he's in that purgatory of recovering from a failed attempt, attack swiftly and with laser-like precision, but don't get excited when you see these huge opportunities open up. Throw away any opening that you have to commit too much to. It's better to wait so that you can improve your Judo. Judging only from this video, I'd say you're going to plateau soon in your aggressiveness. Direct attack is only useful against those who are already off-balance (the essence of kazushi.) Counter-fighting will increase the frequency and duration of their off-balanced moments.

Your Judo is getting well-developed, but you have a lot more potential in you! If you were my athlete, I'd suggest working on doing less, finding mid-foot balance and keeping your head above your hips, counter-fighting instead of relying on your aggressive game, and heightening your game to a more psychological one.

[Charlie]

A deep structure calms your energy, and confuses your opponents. It gives the impression of confidence and experience. Attack his attacks. And when he's in that purgatory of recovering from a failed attempt, attack swiftly and with laser-like precision, but don't get excited when you see these huge opportunities open up.

yes, right on, I dig it -- and looking back at the vid, I see that's exactly how I threw him in match 4, at 8:13. I managed to get over his left sweeping-hip throw, and took advantage of that after-moment to collapse down and floor him.


Throw away any opening that you have to commit too much to. It's better to wait so that you can improve your Judo. Judging only from this video, I'd say you're going to plateau soon in your aggressiveness. Direct attack is only useful against those who are already off-balance (the essence of kazushi.) Counter-fighting will increase the frequency and duration of their off-balanced moments. Your Judo is getting well-developed, but you have a lot more potential in you! If you were my athlete, I'd suggest working on doing less, finding mid-foot balance and keeping your head above your hips, counter-fighting instead of relying on your aggressive game, and heightening your game to a more psychological one.[/SIZE][/FONT]

Scott, I really appreciate that advice! Thanks very much, I will focus more on improving my posture, being patient for counter-fighting and offbalancing.

Cheers!

[Coach Gostnell]

I read these posts, watched the video of the four fights, re-read the posts....great stuff!

Haven't done judo, or more than a little grappling, but - as has happened before - Coach Sonnon's advice is terrific and applicable just about anywhere else.


A deep structure calms your energy, and confuses your opponents.....Direct attack is only useful against those who are already off-balance (the essence of kazushi.) Counter-fighting will increase the frequency and duration of their off-balanced moments. Seems like that would apply in any competitive endeavor, even those of a non-physical nature.

A couple months ago I was testifying for the prosecution and being cross-examined by a very aggressive defense attorney. I'd been focusing heavily on breathing,structure, movement both for my practice, and the trial, (plus I'd had some great coaching by a couple assistant AGs: SPP! :D ), and things went very well with the testimony. I could tell when the defense atty. had an "off balanced" moment, because she would not only quickly back away from the line of questioning, but start asking questions about the procedure that had nothing to do with the issue , like do we get paid per conviction. (Lame. If so, I'd get maybe one paycheck a year. Most cases aren't criminal & don't go to court.)

So it hardly compares to Charlie's four matches in the physical sense - really fun to watch, Charlie, Thanks! - but CST principles have a way of enhancing whatever form "striving together" may take.

[Charlie]

Hi all, I competed at another tourney, weekend before last. I got nine fights, two in -66kg, five in -81kg, and two in a teams event. Here are the most interesting highlights of it:

http://one.revver.com/watch/341406