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Welcome to another in this series on the BJA (British Judo Association) Mon grade syllabus. This series is designed to help you as a parent ensure that your child feels confident they know all they need to know before attending a grading. This helps ensure they have a positive experience. For more information the official BJA guidance is available at http://britishjudo.org.uk/technical/gradings_home.php

Official requirements for 6th Mon from BJA:

FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Ukemi: Mae Ukemi
Tachi-waza: O-uchi-gari
Osae-komi-waza: Tate-shiho-gatame
PERFORMANCE SKILLS
Combination Techniques: O-uchi-gari into Tate-shiho-gatame
Ne-waza:
• escape from Tate-shiho-gatame using ‘clamp and roll’ action
• turnover into Mune-gatame (Uke “all fours” position)

Kumi-kata: demonstrate alternatives to standard grips e.g. right against left, double lapel and high collar
Randori: demonstration of Nage-komi in light Randori with a co-operative partner
PERSONAL CHOICE
Candidates are required to  demonstrate two of their favourite waza
TERMINOLOGY AND SUPPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE
Candidates are required to:

• know the common English translations and meaning of all Japanese terminology used in this section
• give two examples of actions against the contest rules

NOTES
1.  Nage-komi is introduced for this grade. It is to be demonstrated in the form of light randori which will be of approximately
two minutes duration with each judoka throwing alternately. Although throws may be repeated, the examiner will expect
to see a variety of techniques and, if possible, to both right and left sides.
2.  Kumi-kata is a requirement for this grade and the judoka is required to demonstrate the standard grips and alternatives.
3.  For the personal choice element, the judoka is required to demonstrate their favourite waza which may be demonstrated
either to the right or to the left with any suitable grip.

As in previous posts in this series, below are some images and words to help you understand what is being asked for.

Mae Ukemi - from JudoInfo.com

Ouchi Gari - From Judoinfo.com

Tate Shiho Gatame - From JudoInfo.com

Escape from Tate Shiho Gatame - From BJA Pictorial guide

Turnover into Mune Gatame - From BJA Pictorial Guide

lancew Judo bja, British Judo Association, Judo, Mae Ukemi, mon, mune gatame, ouchi gari, syllabus, tate shiho gatme, turnover

Balance is an essential attribute in the sport of Judo. One of the fundamental principles in Judo is the mainatining of your balance whilst breaking your opponents balance. A child in Judo will develop a good sense of balance and the ability to maintain their balance despite being pushed and pulled by others. It is worth being aware however, of the changes in how children maintain balance as they grow up. (This post is a complimentary post to a more scientific coaching article soon to be published on Judocoach.com).

As a parent, you will have already seen the development of blance in a child. You see it as they progress from not being able to do anything more than lie on the backs/fronts, to being able to sit, stand and walk. There is a definite development path that is followed, in this path your child will go from basically moving their head and body as a single unit, to moving head and body independantly to maintain balance.

This transition typically happens between 6-7 years of age and as with all changes in a young childs life, there is a awkwardness associated this stage in their development. This can raise (what are generallyminor) issues which can affect your child.

If your child has been in Judo from before 6-7 years of age, then they will go through a phase where their balance maintenance changes. This may result in changes in their ability to excute Judo techniques. They may find different movements more challenging than previously, they may not.

If they are starting at 6-7 years (which is quite common), then there may be some difference in balance development between children in the class. Good coaches will be aware of the changes in thierr students and will be able to deal with it appropriately.

If your child is starting Judo later than 6-7 years, then they have most likely made the transition, but be aware that their balance is still developing.

What are the changes?

The main is from head and body moving as one, to head moving and body moving independantly. This might be visible when they are off balance, say when balancing on one leg. In this position a younger child’s head is going to be inline with their body, whilst an older child may keep their head more upwards.

As children age further, the nerve activity becomes focussed lower in the legs. Moving from hips and kness to ankles.

Parents probably are unconciously aware of these sorts of developments in your children, bringing them into concious awareness and perhaps mentioning it to a coach might help ensure that your child progresses more smoothly in a Judo class. In teh coaching context (as will be covered in the Judocoach.com post), the coaches will need to ensure they are not trying to get young children pre-transition from trying to move head independantly from their body, which is common in Judo, as we often encourage children to look in one direction whilst moving in another. With your young child, coaches will be doing movements where head and body move as a single unit.

lancew Judo Awareness, balance, Child, Coach, development, Equilibrioception, Judo, parents

Welcome to fourth in this series on the BJA (British Judo Association) Mon grade syllabus. This series is designed to help you as a parent ensure that your child feels confident they know all they need to know before attending a grading. This helps ensure they have a positive experience. For more information the official BJA guidance is available at http://britishjudo.org.uk/technical/gradings_home.php

Official requirements for 5th Mon from BJA:

FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Ukemi: Mae Mawari Ukemi III
Tachi-waza: Ippon-seoi-nage
Osae-komi-waza: Kami-shiho-gatame

PERFORMANCE SKILLS
Combination Techniques: Ippon-seoi-nage into Kami-shiho-gatame
Ne-waza:

• turnover into Kesa-gatame (Uke in “all fours” position)
• escape from Kami-shiho-gatame using ‘action and re-action’

Kumi-kata: demonstrate alternatives to the right and left standard grips

PERSONAL CHOICE
Candidates are required to demonstrate two of their favourite waza

TERMINOLOGY AND SUPPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE
Candidates are required to  know the common English translations and meaning of all Japanese terminology used in this section

NOTES
1.  For the personal choice element, the judoka is required to demonstrate their favourite waza which may be demonstrated
either to the right or to the left with any suitable grip.

As with prior weeks, below are some images and words to help you ensure that your child knows what is required of them when they are examined for the British Judo Association’s 5th Mon grading:

Mae Mawari Ukemi III - From Judoinfo.com

Ippon Seoi Nage - From JudoInfo.com

Kami Shiho Gatame - From Jonathan Beck

Turnover into Kesa Gatame: The BJA syllabus and even the BJA pictorial guide are not very clear on what sort of turnover should be done. The example in the pictorial guide shows the play kneeling next to there partner, who is on elbows and knees. They then, reach with the hand closest to the belt and grasp their partners lapel, going under the body and staying below the arm/armpit. The other hand (nearest the head), reaches across to the partners far arm, grabbing on the sleeve at forearm level. This arm is them pulled back towards you and the other arm used to lever the opponent onto their back and side; ending up holding them in Kesa gatame.

Escape from Kami Shiho Gatame: The version shown in the BJA pictorial guide shows the person being held down, twisting/rocking first to their left then turning over on to their stomachs to the right. It is a “pencil roll” type of movement.

Kumi Kata: Your child should be able to show an alternative grip to the standard “sleeve and lapel” Judo grip.For example, taking a double lapel grip or double sleeve grip “should” be okay. The Example in the pictorial guide appears to be a high grip on the collar and a sleeve grip held on top of the opponents arm rather than under it as in the normal grip.

Terminology:

• Ukemi = Breakfall
• Mae Mawari Ukemi = Forward Rolling Breakfall
• Tachi Waza = Standing/throwing techniques
• Ippon Seoi Nage = One arm shoulder throw
• Ne Waza = Ground techniques
• Osae Komi Waza = Hold Down techniques
• Kami Shiho Gatame = Upper four quarters hold down
• Kesa Gatame = “Scarf” hold
• Judoka = Someone who does Judo

As with all things pertaining to grading, it is wise to make sure that you speak with your child’s coach and an examiner for clarification on any of the above. I have included them here just to help, not as a definitive guide.

lancew Judo belt, bja, British Judo Association, grading, Grappling, Judo, mon, ne waza, syllabus, tachi waza, Throw

Children in Judo participate in a high intensity activity, that causes them to get hot and hungry. In this post we shall look at how the food and drinks you give your child relate to their participation in Judo and also to their health.

Lets be clear, a huge majority of children in Judo need no changes to their diet to help them participate in Judo! Children in Judo generally do not need nutrient supplements, special diets, expensive sports drinks, etc. In fact there are some very good reasons that you should avoid “sports nutrition” products.

What a majority of children in Judo need is a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and plain tap water to drink.

This said, there is more to the topic. For example the age of your child is in fact a big factor. I would normally suggest that someone drink a good quantity (a glass) of water 45+ minutes before a class to help ensure they are hydrated properly. However, if you have very young children in Judo classes this can backfire as their bladders may not be up to the duration and they will either wet themselves or be forced to leave the mat for the toilet; neither of which are desirable.

On the topic of hydration, I would suggest to parents that you give your child a sports “sipper” bottle of tap water to take along to class, incase they need a drink. I would recommend avoiding “sports drinks” like Gatorade or Lucozade as they typically have high sugar levels and this can cause dental problems like encouraging tooth decay (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/03/050323001206.htm).

Similarly, other “supplements” can be safely ignored unless prescribed by a doctor. Your child does not need protein shakes, additional vitamins, energy bars and the like. A simple balanced diet will provide all the nutritional requirements for your child. If you change anything you may need to alter the carbohydrate content (potatoes, pasta, etc.) slightly to increase the amount of calories your child is consuming.

This of course assumes that your child is of a healthy weight, in which case participating in Judo will cause them to use more energy and you need to add more healthy food to their diet to balance the outgoing calories. If the reverse is the case and your child is overweight, then you need to maintain the same calorie level and increase participation in Judo. Perhaps changing the balance of the meals to have less carbohydrate and fat content slightly.

If your child reaches a high level in Judo, you may need to really work hard to provide enough calories to meet their nutrient needs. However, the majority of us are well below a level where we need a special diet. A varied, balanced diet is more than adequate for a vast majority of children in Judo.

Fresh fruit and vegetables and a wide variety of food types is by far better for your child than any amount of special “sports supplements”. Also, if your child is reaching a high level (like a national team) supplements become even more risky as some supplements have been found to contain banned substances. Organisations that govern drugs in sports urge caution when using supplements and as far back as 1999 the advice was to avoid them (http://www.uksport.gov.uk/news/new_sports_supplements_resource/).

If you are looking for advice your local GP will be able to point you in the right direction.

lancew Judo Health, Healthy diet, Judo, Nutrition, sport

Welcome to third in this series on the BJA (British Judo Association) Mon grade syllabus. This series is designed to help you as a parent ensure that your child feels confident they know all they need to know before attending a grading. This helps ensure they have a positive experience. For more information the official BJA guidance is available at http://britishjudo.org.uk/technical/gradings_home.php

Official requirements for 4th Mon from BJA:

FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Ukemi:  Mae Mawari Ukemi II
Tachi-waza:  Tai-otoshi
Osae-komi-waza:  Yoko-shiho-gatame
PERFORMANCE SKILLS
Combination Techniques: Tai-otoshi into Yoko-shiho-gatame
Ne-waza:
escape from Yoko-shiho-gatame using ‘trap, bridge and roll’
turnover into  Yoko-shiho-gatame (Uke in prone position)
Kumi-kata: demonstrate the right and left standard grip
PERSONAL CHOICE
Candidates are required to  select and demonstrate two tachi-waza and one osae-komi-waza from the BJA Technical Grading Syllabus
TERMINOLOGY AND SUPPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE
Candidates are required to  know the common English translations and meaning of all Japanese terminology used in this section

Here are some images and words that will help you ensure that your child is doing the right thing:

Mae Mawari Ukemi II from the BJA Pictorial Guide

Tai Otoshi - From JudoInfo.com

Yoko Shiho Gatame - from JudoInfo.com

Escape from Yoko Shiho Gatame - From BJA Pictorial Guide.

Turnover into Yoko Shiho Gatame - From BJA Pictorial Guide.

Gripping (Kumi Kata), how to take a standard grip:

Terminology:

• Ukemi – breakfalls
• Tachi-waza – Throwing techniques
• Osae-komi-waza – Hold down techniques
• Ne-waza – Groundwork techniques
• Kumi-kata – Gripping

lancew Judo British Judo Association, grade, Judo, mon, syll, Uke, Yoko Shiho Gatame

Sadly, not all people are good and wholesome, even those involved in martial arts and sport. In this post we shall discuss some issues pertaining to child protection within Judo clubs and how that relates to you as a parent.

Within any environment where children are involved there is a risk that someone or something will put your child at risk.  A well run club will have policies and procedures in place to ensure that your child is protected. Some examples of how good Judo clubs will protect your child are listed below:

(UK) Criminal Record Bureau check.
Here in the UK, all people involved with working with children should undergo a CRB check. This is a check to ensure that the staff of volunteers in your club are not prior offenders.

Parents should be welcome to watch sessions.
Well run clubs do not prevent parents from watching classes. You should be allowed and encouraged to watch any session your child attends. Good clubs will make this a comfortable experience and provide facilities to assist this like seating for example. Within some venues space may be limited of course, but a well run club will not discourage you from attending.

One to one training
Children should never be in one to one situations with an adult instructor/coach. It is good practice for clubs to ensure that this does not occur. Clubs should always have multiple staff around of both sexes, a well rub club will manage this and ensure that there are at least parents available to attend sessions to ensure that coaches are never alone with children. This protects both the coach from alegations and the child from being put in a situation alone with a coach.

Coaches will behave appropriately as should the class.
You should never see a good Judo coach swear at children, or allow it in their presence. Similarly, coaches should never be involved or allow bad behavior. Examples might be encouragement of inappropriate physical contact, favouritism, rough play, sexual innuendo or humiliating punishments.

Openness about procedures.
Safe well run clubs will be open with you about the procedures they have in lace to protect your child. These will go from recruitment procedures, through to coach training, coach supervision, paperwork and more.

Qualifications.
Good coaches are well qualified, the days of the coach who graduated “the school of hard knocks” or is “qualified by experience” are gone. All coaches should have good qualifications for teaching Judo. Within Europe the European Judo Union has coaching qualifications from 3-5 (with more being defined). Within each nation, the governing body has it’s own set of standards also. There are also external qualifications such as the UKCC in the UK and of course university degree courses.
A black belt is NOT a qualification to teach!

Good Communication
Good clubs and coaches will communicate with you, they will keep you informed as to what is happening, why it is happening and so forth. Better clubs will give you information on your child, they will tell you how your child is progressing, any issue they are having, etc. If your child suddenly stops coming or their behavior suddenly changes good clubs will ask why.

What you can do to protect your child and others?

You can help protect your child by becoming involved in the club and communicating with them. Study up on child protection issues and volunteer to be the child protection officer at the club (or one of them). Ensure that you child’s club is an example of how to do things right and that things get done the right way. Often bad practise is not a case of bad intentions just lack of time and resources, so offering to help can be the best way to help protect your child.

Further reading a sources of information for this article:

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/cpsu/HelpAndAdvice/Parents/ClubSafetyChecks/dangersignals_wda62018.html
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/cpsu/HelpAndAdvice/Parents/ClubSafetyChecks/clubsafetycheck_wda62016.html
http://www.safesport.co.uk/ChildrenAndSportWhenToBegin.html
http://www.greatersport.co.uk/clubs/children-in-sport
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/cpsu/HelpAndAdvice/Organisations/Standards/Standards_wda60694.html
http://britishjudo.org.uk/policy/childprotection/policy.php

LanceW Judo child protection