No Gi Judo
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Some of you may have read my recent post about Kumikata, or grip fighting. Along with Kazushi (balance), Kumikata really is the other half of any throw. Basically, if you have your own Kazushi under control and where it should be, and use your Kumikata to be able to exert some level of control on your opponent’s Kazushi, their gonna fly.
But what about when the Gi isn’t there?
Especially when we look at Judo as more of a sport, but also self defense, it’s important to be aware of which of our throws might be effective against someone in a self defense situation, or in a no-Gi bout. I outline these differently, because I think they are.
Self defense:
In a simple brawl, your opponent is coming in swinging at you, or trying to grab a head-lock or similar. Many moves in Judo present themselves in this situation. If your your attacker is wearing a jacket, then yee-ha folks. Kumikata and kick some butt.
If not, let’s look at some moves that will still potentially serve you well:
Koshi Garuma, or the head-throw (known in wrestling as the head-and-arm) can be a very good throw as an opponent is swinging at you, or as you step in to punch.
Osotogari is another, but as my Sensei over at Hidden Valley has shown us, you should take certain steps with your self-defense Osotogari that would not be allowed in a competition. Namely, use the hand that would normally grab the lapel, and instead grab the chin of the victim, forcing the head back. This is a great Kazushi breaker.
I have seen people argue that Ouch Gari, or similar footwork might be good in a self defense situation, and mentally I can see how they would be… But I often times have a hard time hitting them, and feel I would be putting myself in jeopardy to try. For me, if I shot for an Ouchi gari in a fight it would likely be to knock the leg back and set up an Osoto Gari or a Koshi Garuma or something similar.
Many will also say the Ipon Seonage. Again, this is true. But woe be unto those who miss this throw in a real fight and end up with someone on their back. Do it if you’re good at it… but I would think twice.
I know that many of you are thinking hip-throws. Ogoshi, Ukigoshi, etc. I agree, but it really depends on how the person fights. I think in a real fight that fewer people “lock up” like they will in a no-gi MMA style fight. These may not really present themselves in a hay-maker slug-fest.
No-Gi bout:
Okay, so things are a bit different here… many of the folks you face will be more inclined to “lock up” in a stance almost like a wrestler. This is good, in the it opens up certain throws that are harder when someone stands back and swings. Notably, these are the Ogoshi, Uki Goshi, and similar hip throws.
Another move that can be done no-Gi, by using both hands on one arm in the way that Mike Swain like to throw it is the Tai Otoshi, or dropping down into the Seoi Otoshi. I like this one, but if the opponent has any skill in grappling, and especially once they get sweaty, it can be hard to grip good enough. this is a similar issue with the Makikomi. If you ca grip the wrist well enough most non-Judo folks don’t know this throw. But once the sweat comes on your chance are slim.
I find that most folks in a no-Gi situation like to stand with their feet far enough back that I have a real hard time hitting Ouchi Gari or similar moves. Now, I know… I need to turn them, set up the move… create the Kazushi to allow me to hit the Ouchi. Sounds good… but I haven’t gotten the hang of it in a situation like this.
For me, I think it comes down to how good the other person’s Judo is. If it’s pretty good then I think your hip throws, and possibly a Koshi Garuma are a good bet. If the other person isn’t into Judo, then odds are they are going to shoot for your legs, so a sprawl into an anaconda choke is one of my favorites.
I hope this helps, but more than anything else, I wanted to open up some dialog. What do you find works best when the Gi is off?
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