Florida Judo Ki no Fuda's Kata Corner
![[Dr. Jigoro Kano Picture]](kano.jpg)
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[Editor's note: In addition to holding the rank of Sankyu in Judo, Peter McMahan also holds the rank of Okuri in Paracombatives Ju-jutsu (roughly equivalent to Sandan / Nidan).] Let me start by saying that I'm not an expert in Judo kata. However, I do have a lot of experience with body positioning and kata-like forms. In addition to teaching a few of the Judo Katas, Paracombatives Ju-jutsu contains 23 Tai Sabaki sets, or forms of movement. Each Tai Sabaki set requires an Uki and a Tori, and are made up of 5 movements on both the right and left side for a total of 10 techniques. There are Tai Sabaki sets called Basic Block and Punishment, Cross-body Blocks and Back Fist Uraken, Kicking Defense, Joint Locking, Combat Throwing, Combat Stick and Foot Sweep Tai Sabaki, to name just a few. In order to reach the rank of Okuri I've had to demonstrate proficiency in all of them. There are (at least) 2 reasons for practicing Tai Sabaki sets. One is to perform defenses against common attacks over and over again so that they become automatic. The other is to teach Tori proper body positioning and Uki how to attack and fall properly. So what does this have to do with Judo Kata? I've had the opportunity to be a recorder for several Judo Kata competitions lately, and I have a few observations that from my experience with Tai Sabaki sets I think Judoka might find useful. 1. Uki must perform a genuine attack - on target and with force. Whether it is a downward knife thrust to the middle of the head or just a push, Tori cannot execute a clean technique without an aggressive attack. The judges can tell a lazy, to the side attack as well as a crisp, right-on-target attack. Don't worry about Tori getting out of the way - that Tori's job, not yours. This is kata, not sleep walking. 2. Tori - perform your techniques crisply. This in general depends on Uki doing their job and performing a crisp attack. You need to convince the judges that A) You actually know how to do this move and B) if attacked similarly outside of the dojo you could successfully perform the technique. I'm not advocating drilling your Uki into the mat. You do need to perform your techniques with authority in order to keep your balance and have correct body positioning. 3. Uki and Tori - practice, practice, practice. The most successful kata teams I've seen have obviously been together for some time and spend time practicing. It is disappointingly obvious when kata teams are either new to each other or have been practicing incorrect techniques. 4. Most of the kata moves I've seen are regular judo techniques. Take chokes or arm-bars or simple off-balancing for examples. I've seen Nami Juji Jime done with the thumbs 5 inches apart instead of together. I've seen attempted arm-bars that weren't even close and I've seen Tori muscling Uki because there was no off-balance. Just because it is kata doesn't mean it doesn't have to work. Tori's - don't rush; make sure you do the technique correctly. That's all I have for now. You can get in touch with me by writing David at awejudo@rocketmail.com. Yours in Judo, Peter McMahan |