USJA Coach - Judo Information Site

USJACOACHa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a o a a a a a a a aTHE STUDY OF KUZUSHI - "t'm fatting and I can't get up."by Neil Ohlenkamp, 6'h Dan/Judo, 5h Dan/JuJitsuHead Coach, Encino Judo Club, Santa Barbara. CAWhile teaching myJudoclass the otherday,I tried to explain the principal of kuzushi,or breaking balance. I was doing thisbecause during practice that evening, mostof the students were focusing on how toget their body into the proper position toapply the technique we were studying. Verylittle attention was being focused on placingtheir partner's body into the proper position.As I explained the importance of breakingan opponent's balance, I could see thateveryone understood that it is easier toknock down another person when they'reoff balance. In fact, I've noticed that it isquite common that the principles of Judoare understood long before they can beapplied effectively. It is obvious, even tosomeone who has never studied Judo, thata throw will be more effective and requirea a a a a a a a a a a a a aOLYMPIC VIDEOTAPES AVAILABLEA source for Olympic Video Tupes. HerbSchumacher advises that he's found asource for these tapes, copied fromJapanese TV. He says they're "goodquality at a good price." $85.00 for seven(7) tapes.If interested, contact:Herb Schumacher2l3l W. Mulberry StreetLancaster, OH 43130Phone: 740-653-2348Email: herb@fairfieldi.comless strength when applied to an opponentwho is in a weakened state of balance.One of the things that distinguishes abeginner from a more advanced student, isthe ability to focus attention on anopponent's balance. It is one of thedifferences betweenlearning a throw, andbeing able to effectivelyapply a throw. Manymartial artists tell me thatthey know how to do basicThere are many ways ofmoving that will result irtyou r opponent re spondin gin a predictable walt . . .Judo throws like seoinaeeor osotogari for example. However,learning to get your body into the properposition to effectively apply your strengthis only part of learning a Judo throw. Thereal trick to making Judo techniques workeasily is to find a way to catch youropponent off-balance or to force youropponent off-balance.Most people do a fine job of getting offbalancethemselves. One way to apply Judothrows is simply to catch the opponent atevery opportunity that he or she gives you.It is just not possible to move without somedegree of imbalance. It is certainly not easyfor youropponento attack you without theforce and movement that makes him/hervulnerable to your counter attack.However, learning to take advantage ofyouropponent's imbalance requires a finelytuned sense of timing. In order to be at theright place at the right time, you generallyhave to anticipate your opponent'smovements, a skill that requires a great dealof experience.Another way to apply kuzushi is to set upor force your opponent into a weak position.There are many ways of moving that willresult in your opponent responding in apredictable way so that you can anticipa(cand take advantage of it. It can be as simpleas stepping forward and pushing on youropponent, which usually results in theopponent stepping away from you, bracing,and pushing back. This in turn gives youthe opportunity to throwyour opponent forward in thedirection of their push. Themost common way to forceone's opponent off-balanceis to use combination throwswhere the first throwattempted puts him or her into an unstableposition so that a subsequent attack can besuccessful.Kuzushi is very often thought of as simplypushing or pulling. At more advancedlevels, however, it is much more than that.For example, kuzushi can also be achievedby breaking the opponent's rhythm, fakingattacks, strikes, changes of body positionor grip, kiai (a shout), or a sudden changein speed or tempo. A critical element inkuzushi is that it should disrupt more thanthe body. Kuzushi is very mirch a mentalthing; it should always disrupt anopponent's concentration, resulting in amomentary opportunity for an attack. Thisis one of the reasons confidence is such animportant factor in Judo. A strong andpositive mental attitude can often dominatea weaker state of mind, resulting in effectivekuzushi.Coaches, this is your newsletter! Wegladly accept your thoughts and input.Feel free to contact us at the NationalHeadquarters.