By Rhadi Ferguson
The Olympic Trials will be here soon and I would encourage you all to do one thing…go!
If you have children who are judo players or that do any of the Olympic Sports, then go to the trials. It is an experience of a lifetime.
Going will give you and your children a new-found respect for dedication, it will allow you to push harder in your job, your school work, in your family life and in all areas. It will literally inject into the “umph” that you need to get going.
And you will get an opportunity to look the word SACRIFICE in the face.
So, listen to The Judo Crusader for once will ya?
Now is the time to get your “ducks in a row” and decide that you want to be a better judo player. And I’m going to tell you exactly how to do it. Are you ready? Great!!!
1. Get A Throw Mat!
If you do not have a throw mat for your club – get one. If you don’t have one then round up a couple of your buddies and put your money together and get one. I bought my first throw mat when I was practicing in Massachusetts back in 1998. I was practicing at a small club on the “off nights” when I wasn’t practicing with Jimmy Pedro and I knew I had to practice throwing. So I called this company called Tiffin Mats and ordered the mat. As a matter of fact, you can call them at this number 1-800-843-3467 or you can go to their website and get a throw mat. Just so that you know, the mat that I bought is still in Foxboro, Massachusetts getting used to this day.
I know you are asking why you need this mat. Well, the answer is in number 2.
2. Get the Reps In
THROW, THROW, THROW!!! You can definitely improve your throwing abilities by doing more throwing. Now, Ido not like being thrown on the ground,- and I’m sure you don’t either and the chief reason is because it FREAKIN’ HURTS! That is one of the major reasons why you can count on one hand the times that I’ve been thrown for ippon. I just refuse to fall! And if you practice Brazilian Jujitsu, then you know how difficult it is for you to get someone in your school or class to take some falls for you while you practice throwing. FUH-GET-ABOUT-IT!!
It ain’t gonna happen. But, and this is a big but, if you have a nice soft mat for them to fall on, they will be more willing to take falls for you, and you will be more willing to take falls for them. And you will watch and see evryone’s throws improve. The better everyone gets, the better you are going to get.
3. Make Your Practices Measurable and Accountable.
After getting the mat and deciding to throw, make sure you decide and plan how many throws you are going to do per night after practice. Notice that I said, after practice. That means that this is some extra work that you have to do so that you can get the edge.
4. Get Permission
Please respect your instructor, your dojo and the place where you practice by asking if you and your “buddies” could get together and purchase a gift for the club. If you practice Brazilian Jujitsu, ask your instructor if they wouldn’t mind incorporating some throws in practice–after you and your buddies have started doing the throws after practice first.
If you get some throw mats for your club, you will see how you will improve greatly. When I lived at the Olympic Training Center I can tell you that we easily would perform 75 to 100 throws a night. And that is outside of the hundreds of uchikomis, randori, drills, warm-ups and cool-down.
From that, a few things happened. First, I got comfortable with throwing. Secondly, I become proficient at the throws I practiced. Third, I believed that I could throw people. Fourth, my abdominals, my back and my legs – my whole body – was trained in the way that I need for it to operate during competition. So whatever you do, get the throw mat and get started.
Rhadi Ferguson is a 2004 Olympian in Judo and a 4-Time National Judo Champion. If you desire to learn more information about his Gold Mettle Plan you may do so at http://www.goldmettleplanpackage.com or http://www.goldmettleplan.com
If you are seriously interested in improving your judo game and becoming a better grappler then there is no better place to start then with The Gold Mettle Plan. You can get your free ebook and the best judo advice on the ‘net right here.
Rhadi,
I started Judo about 6 month ago with my son, and I am really loving it. Last week we were doing some photo shoots and wanted to get some really good height on them. The gym we were at happened to have what they called a “crash pad.” It’s the first time I had seen one or used one, but within minutes I was throwing so much better than I ever would have expected to be able to throw because there was no fear of anyone getting hurt. It was a really neat experience, and something I plan to do more of. thanks so much for the post! Also, I will definitely be checking out the Gold Mettle Plan.