From: satadd00@nx27.mik.uky.edu (scott andrew taddiken)
Subject: Re: Pros and cons of judo.
Keywords: judo, self-defense
Summary: Response to questions about judo, aikido, shotokan.
Organization: University of Kentucky
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1992 16:45:30 GMT

There are so many posts to this group, it's hard to wade through
them all.

There was a question about judo, aikido, shotokan, and
self-defense posted recently.  The asker had no address, so
asked for posts to the net.  I wish I knew how to restrict this
post to his area, but I'm an rn white-belt.

I am, however, a judo black belt (hear that, Adrian?) and will
give what info I can.

You are correct that judo is a demanding sport.  If you are
wondering whether you are right for it, I think you need to ask
yourself: 1) Do I really like being physically close to people?
(Some people are uncomfortable with having to get so personal
with sweaty folk.)  2) Am I terrified of falling? (Everyone is a
little uneasy, but some people are unable to be rid of the fear
even after a month's training in falling technique.)  3) Do I
have any serious physical problems? (You never see a judo practice
where at least someone doesn't have a knee or finger wrapped,
but it you have a bad back or a bad heart, this sport is not for
you.)

If you are actually wondering whether judo is right for you, and
whether it is good for self-defense, I refer you to the ongoing
flame-war about model mugging, mace, guns, etc.  There are some
self-defense forms in judo, but they are, in a word, silly.  In
one of the more amusing techniques, one guy tries to punch the
other in the face, so the other (I swear I'm not making this up)
ducks, steps behind him, and strangles him!  This defense is far
too "busy".  You wouldn't believe it if you saw it, and neither
do I.  In defense of Kano, who invented the technique, I can
only say I am told that it was invented to be used against armor
clad samurai.

This is not to say that judo is totally useless in self-defense.
Just as the average golden gloves boxer tends to be a little
better prepared for a steet fight than the common man, so judo
players are a litte better prepared.  It's gotten me out of a
couple of scrapes.  To use judo techniques, it is necessary to
have your opponent close to you--preferably grabbing you.
Fortunately for me, that is exactly what big guys often try to
do.  They hope to intimidate you.  It doesn't work.

In fact, I've seen a fair number of scuffles (never highly
trained fighters) and they always seem to develop from striking
to grappling.  Having done a (very) little boxing and having
watched boxing, full-contact karate, and TKD competition, I have
noticed that these people also end up in grappling range a lot
of the time (the referee has to break them up).  For this
reason, I don't think it could possibly hurt to learn judo.

Shotokan, I don't know from borscht.

I've seen a few demonstrations of aikido, and I was,
unfortunately, unimpressed.  Probably because it was a demo, the
fallers took a dive at the sleightest touch of the thrower.
Also, they used a lot of wrist-locks and arm-locks, which, in my
experience, are almost impossible to get on an alert, STANDING
opponent.  I will (and you should) give them the benefit of the
doubt, however, and presume that the fallers are not so
accomodating when anxious eyes aren't watching.

In the end, I think you should visit the clubs you are
interested in, and decide if you think you would practice there
continuously for a year or more.  If so, join.

And, if you take judo (or anything else) I have a little advice:
If something you are taught violates your intuition, 10% of the
time your intuition is wrong.  90% of the time the teacher is
showing you how to do a technique he doesn't himself use, or
does use, but isn't entirely sure how he does it.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Taddiken, University of Kentucky