Summer Time!

Wednesday Nights:

6 until 8pm

See you there!

Thank you!

To all our judoka who came out this week!

We had a pretty great workout.

See you next week, and remember, if you arrive early there's a decent chance we can do some great stuff to the mats.

Meeting Times

VCU Judo members!

Last week I had to do something I loathe to do, but unfortunately can be a necessary consequence of our current training facility arrangements;
We had to cancel practice 'due to turn out'.

The irony was that by the time we were done packing up the mats (at about 8:30) there were more than enough people present to conduct practice.
In order for Dr Mills to not put away the Judo mats at the end of his PE Class (5:40pm), he requires that at least two representatives of VCU Judo be present, and prefers 4 or more. 4 is the 'magic number' it takes to quickly and efficiently put the mats away.

I can reasonably count on one or two people to remain over from his class, so they of course will be there. I can usually count on Daniel, our new president, when he is not sick or injured. I have previous engagements most weeks that keeps me from getting there before 5:45pm.
What I need is confidence that more members will be arriving before 5:40pm! I wish this wasn't necessary, but amongst other things, it's simply good etiquette and a lot safer for you.

If enough people show up earlier, it provides an opportunity to mop the mats, warm up thoroughly and go over any club issues before actually getting down to practice.

In summation, as the old saying goes; 'If you're not ten minutes early, then you're late!'
And if you'd like to be a real asset to the club, try and get here before 5:40pm.

Thanks guys.

-VCU Judo acting president, Jason Struck

Syllabus

Below is some of the material required to test up to yellow belt
So far we've covered ALL eight of the 1st set of the Gokyo No Waza, sometimes called the 'Dai Ikkyo'.
You will only be required to show proficiency in four of them.
Also shown is Ude Garami.
We will go over this movement in greater detail in the future.
Later we will post some reference materials for OsaeKomiWaza, or pinning techniques.

Ude Garami - the "Kimura"

Kansetsu Waza One

Ude Garami

the 'Kimura'

Ude Garami is a 'basic' submission that places the shoulder and elbow at about 90 degrees each, and the arm as a whole is bent 'the wrong way' until one or both of these joints can no longer move. At this point, pain or damage begins, and the opponent is forced to choose between 'submission' or injury. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, this technique has been known as 'the Kimura' since 1955, when Masahiko Kimura, one of the greatest fighters in Judo history applied the technique against Helio Gracie in Rio de Janeiro, dislocating his elbow (breaking his arm) and effectively terminating the match. To Helio's credit, he gave up almost 90 pounds to the much larger and stronger champion Kimura, and refused to tap after suffering the injury. His family forced him to surrender, throwing in the towel when it became clear that he would not quit.

For a variety of resources click here

Here's a video that breaks down the basics

Never Ask Again

Technique One - De Ashi Harai


Technique Two - Hiza Guruma


Technique Three- Sasae Tsuri Komi Ashi


Technique Four - Uki Goshi


Technique Five - O Soto Gari


Technique Six - O Goshi


Technique Seven - O Uchi Gari


Technique Eight - Seoi Nage

A perfectly good reason to train Judo

Randori - 1-30-2009

A recent Randori round between Jason Struck and Daniel Goh

I found it fun reviewing the video, editing and playing certain portions in slow motion; I hope that this serves as a learning aid for the entire club. I look forward to making more...


Jason and Dan Randori from Full Circle on Vimeo.

Recent goings on

I was lucky enough to capture some of the practice this week between
Jason Struck and Daniel Goh

Here's some clips:

A obi/tsuri variation on Harai Goshi...
Dan really gets 'rotated'

Harai Goshi at VCU Judo from Full Circle on Vimeo.

No open mat time next week

There will be no open mat time January 30th and Feb 6th, due to scheduling conflicts with those who use the space preceding us.
Practice will start at 6pm those nights.

T Shirts and Hoodies!

VCU Judo's T Shirts and Hoodies have finally been delivered.

If you'd like to take one home with you, please bring a little cash.

The T-Shirts are $10 and the Hoodies $20. This is below cost on both fronts.
Additionally, if you have been awarded a belt by Kevin, or have served as an officer you are entitled to $10 off either price, ie the T Shirt is free if you're a yellow belt.

These funds go to two ends: build a flexible fund for the club that will pay for competition fees as well as mats/mat space in the future.

Thank you for your support!

Welcome SOVO participants!

VCU Judo is so glad that you stopped by to check us out!

We have our first full on meeting next week,
Jan 23rd
at
6pm
in the Franklin Street Gym
Room 308

Please come join us!

We are attempting to meet this week, 1/16/2009 at the same time/same place, but facilities are a little unsure!

In the meantime I suggest you visit the following links to learn more about us and our activities:

Recent Randori Footage

Getting a Gi

What do I need to practice Judo @ VCU?

Part II

Spring Meeting

All club members and officers will need to meet in the coming weeks
to make some decisions about club events.

Be advised that practice location has returned to room 308 of the Franklin Street Gym.

Practice times, and days are still unclear.

If you were storing anything in the closet of room 331, you will have to wait until whenever the construction no one could tell was coming (how could they know?) is over.
Whenever that is. Sorry.

Practice will most likely be discontinued until Jan 14th. Please stay in touch with the blog, Facebook Group Page or via e-mail for any updates, and to answer any questions you may have.

Thanks for a great Fall Semester VCU!

PS: Remember This
they are really coming soon. I swear.

Location Help

VCU Judo needs your help!

At the end of the semester, our current location is no longer guaranteed to us. It is not clear if this means that we will indeed be kicked out, or if our tenure at 331 will be continued indefinitely.

Obviously, this is no way to carry the club over the long term.

VCU Judo must find a new home!
Currently, exhausted options seem to include;
The Siegel Center (where flooring and scheduling conflicts make this impractical)
The Dance School (no space left)
MCV REC Center 'Martial Arts Room' (go look at it...)

We are open to any and all ideas, please contact us! We prefer being on campus or very close to it! We need to be able to store our equipment in the location, and preferably leave our mats safely deployed permanently...

Know of such a place? Please be in touch!

All VCU Judo members; We need you're help! Come through, and we can keep the club Alive, hopefully moving to even better space in the near future!

Thanks

Coaching Clinic in CVille

http://ssjjudo.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/cocahing-certification-and-judoka-clinic-w-serge-bouyssou/

Gene Shin (the man) will be hosting Serge Bouyssou (the man) to share some knowledge on coaching. It's $75 for two days.

Date: Friday, November 7th, and Saturday, November 8th.

Location:
SSJ Judo
500 Henry Ave.
Charlottesville, VA 22093

Fee: $75.00 + USJI coaching certification fees


Eligibility and who should come:
This clinic is for anyone who wants to be certified as a coach with USA Judo, and/or who wants to learn from one of the most successful and respected coaches in American judo. Come and have a great judo weekend!

PLEASE NOTE: In order to receive your coaching certification, all required USJI Paperwork must be completed in advance, e.g. background screen, first aid/CPR training, etc.

Schedule:

Friday, November 7th
Registration: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Evening session 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 8th
Morning Session: 9:00 –12:00 noon
Break for lunch Noon to 1:00 pm
Afternoon Session 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

For Additional Information Contact:
Gene Shin, at ssjjudo@gmail.com
Serge Bouyssou, at judocoach@cox.net.

Upcoming Judo Events near Richmond

In the coming 6 weeks we have;

MD - Beltsville, Ken Tamai Memorial Fall Judo Championship

When

Sat Oct 18 – Sat Oct 18

20081018/20081019

Where

map

beltsville, md

Created By

Judocalendar USA - EAST

Description

sanction details, forms, and flyers for all will be available on http://www.huiojudo.com/events.html
contacts :kevin tamai 703-622-6861 kevin@huiojudo.com  , mark smith  301-674-5438 mark@huiojudo.com

Maryland Open

When

Sat Nov 1 – Sat Nov 1

20081101/20081102

Where

map

College Park, Maryland

Created By

Judocalendar USA - EAST

Description

November 1, 2008
Ritchie Collisium, Univ. of Maryland
College Park, Maryland



also the Ken Tamai Memorial Fall Judo Championship in Beltsville, MD is moved to Oct. 18th, 2008
also the MD - Beltsville, Shufu Junior Promotional - Shufu Senior Promotional, is moved to Nov. 15th, 2008

karl tamai

Http://www.judocalendar.com/judo20081101MDOpen2008Forms.doc

MD - Beltsville, Shufu Junior Promotional - Shufu Senior Promotional

When

Sat Nov 8 – Sat Nov 8

20081108/20081109

Where

map

beltsville, md

Created By

Judocalendar USA - EAST

Description

sanction details, forms, and flyers for all will be available on http://www.huiojudo.com/events.html
contacts :kevin tamai 703-622-6861 kevin@huiojudo.com  , mark smith  301-6784-5438 mark@huiojudo.com  

Please don't forget about Friday

VCU Judoka

Attendance has been pretty thin on Friday nights. I highly recommend attending, particularly if you want some extra time to work on specific skills, or if you'd like to some mat time for sparring.

The current model is very much an 'open mat' by default, but with such a small group Fridays, we can kind of make it whatever we want!

So come on out!

Get a Gi

The judogi, or dogi, or simply 'Gi' is the practice uniform of Judo.

Since the new semester began, we have seen 10-15 new faces, and many have had questions about a gi of their own. It's imperative that you do get your own, but if you're new to the sport/art, it's a little daunting figuring out what you need and where to get it.

This is the Toraki white label single weave Gi, and is an example of a decent cut. It sells for about $55.

This is the Golden Tiger gi endorsed by the USJA for beginners. It is advertised for $25 and $30 for the unbleached and white respectively. These two pictures are a good example of the difference between a $30 gi and a $50 gi.

This LINK will provide you with valuable information about how a gi should fit.

With this in mind, you can start to see some of the differences between the two gis; the Toraki is narrower around the body, with less excess fabric about the waist and chest. The skirt is significantly shorter, and the sleeves are straighter, leaving the closer to the same diameter of extra fabric at both the shoulder and the wrist. It's simply more 'form-fitting'. This will serve for relatively greater comfort over the long term as well as prove more effective for you in training and competition; a thin, baggy gi is easier for your opponent to grip, and is a painful implement with which to be choked!

If you are going to go the trouble and expense of ordering your own gi online, and waiting/paying for shipping, it may be a wiser investment to spend $60 rather than $40 to get a gi that you will not immediately outgrow. Assuming this, here are a few recommendations for quality 'beginner's gis';

All prices are for a size 4 or 170cm cut (5'9", 145lbs). If you are smaller, it may be cheaper, and if you are significantly larger, it may be more expensive.

Fuji Single Weave;
Classic 'japanese cut', a little shorter and wider. Very soft, and somewhat thick. $45
also sold here

DAX Europe;
A popular brand for competitors, a thicker collar and narrower fit about the chest and sleeves. Will suit you well if you are tall and thin or don't get too hot too easily. $45

Golden Tiger
Crap, but cheap. $30

Toraki 'White' Label
Somewhere between the Fuji and the Dax. Nice fit, nice fabric, good reputation for quality
$55

Mizuno Single Weave
Another classic Japanese fit single weave. This will be a little 'tougher' than the Fuji (more coarse fabric). $57

HCK Standard Single
Technically a BJJ gi, and unbleached in color, this is a soft, thick and tough gi. I have had two Competition singles for 3 years. They are also a slightly more tapered fit than the japanese gis, but maybe not as narrow as the DAX. They are indestructible. This one is a little more than the others, but will be a 5 year + practice gi. $60

If you foresee yourself practicing more than once a week, or for more than one semester, make an investment in a somewhat more substantial gi. You'll be glad you did!

Fall Judo Schedule

The VCU Judo club will be meeting

Tues, Thursday and Friday Nights from

7 until 9 pm

in Room 331 of the Franklin Street Gym

see you there

Great First Night

Thanks for coming out!

We had a pretty solid attendance for our first night of the Fall and our first night in our new home, Room 331 of the Franklin Street Gym.

Thanks to everyone that was there early to help set up the mats, break them down afterwards etc.

With such a diverse and enthusiastic group, I can only hope you all stick with us on the very long road that is Judo!

See you Thursday and or Friday night at 7pm!