Judo class this weekend was great.  I really got sweating, and got a great workout.  Also, we worked a bit on really being ready to come in with a one-two-three plan on your throws.  Now normally you might think of using a combination only as it pertains to punches or kicks, but it’s key in throws as well.  The reason being that your throw is not always going to work… so it’s important to know what to fall to when it doesn’t.

As an example of this, we worked on the Tai Otoshi throw.  I have read many Judo experts state that they really like this throw, and find they can hit it often.  For me, I find it sucks.  Or at least I suck at it

So, what’s a guy to do?  Well, you look at what happens when it doesn’t work… Very often the person is leaning back, and onto the foot you are trying to attack to keep it on the ground and keep from being thrown.  If that’s the case, turn into them, and wrap around the leg… turning the throw into a rough sort of Osoto Gari, but a bit more to the side than really backwards.  I have been really stunned how well this works.  The person’s Kazushi is really ready to snap even before you hit this.

But another way that people resist the Tai Otoshi is by stepping over the leg you are trying to trip them with.  If that happens, turn into them and do more of a Kuchi Gari.  I am far less fond of this one… but I throw it out as an option.

These are really just examples though… the real point being to find where you are when a throw does not work, and ask yourself in what direction is the person’s kazushi ready to break… then decide ho to take them in that direction.  What is your “fall-back” throw?

We also worked a fair chunk on ground work this weekend.  I find myself getting more comfortable with the guard, which I really really need.

Finally, it looks like we will be moving.  Our class is currently scouting a few locations to move the class to.  I’ll keep you posted.

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