Fundamental Principles of Judo
Judo as Physical Training

It is a fundamental principle of sports to carry on exercises in proportion to the bodily strength. Judo as a game belongs to the fighting games and so often assumes all the aspects of an intensive feat of strength requiring strenuous exertions. In the practice of Judo, however, this evil can be averted by means of Kata (forms). That is, the kata enables the Judo student to adjust the amount of exercise according to his bodily strength and age, and yet is fully effectual both in respect to interest and benefit.
Judo includes the following three points in its objective on the physical side:
1.     Toughness (giving steadiness, elasticity and staying power to the muscles)
2.     Flexibility (giving mobility to the spinal column and other joints together with full elasticity of the muscles)
3.     Adroitness (quickening the function of the motor nerves and making movements both nimble and steady)
From the standpoint of athletic physiology these qualities are correlated with one another, and the bodily activities in Judo exercises are best adapted to those requirements.
Shizentai

The shizentai, or natural posture, is the posture of a person standing quietly with his head and upper body kept upright, arms hanging without constraint and legs not so firm and widely apart. This is the description of the proper posture as regards its form, but it has a deeper, wider significance. When this posture is maintained, it may be considered that 1) the body keeps stability and does not fall and 2)as the limbs are kept soft they can shift to any action at any moment.
The natural posture is explained as a standing posture. However if outward form or posture is out of consideration, and the natural posture is an attitude of the body which is capable of repelling the opponent's attack, and moreover of assuming the offensive whenever there is an opening in the opponent's guard, the natural posture may be said to be possible not only when standing, but also when sitting or lying. In fact, in a Judo contest, the contestant who has fallen is not nedessarily beaten. On the contrary, he may make an attack against his opponent while lying on the mats. In fact, the natural posture is an attitude of the body which is always capable of taking the lead.
There is an old expression, "Motion in rest." It means that rest is pregnant with motion as infinite activity, so it indicates the principle of natural posture. Functioning like this, the natural posture must necessarily be studied from a mental point of view, and from olden times the ultimate secrets of jujutsu have lain here.

Courtesy
Courtesy is the formal manifestation of the spirit of respect. With the spirit of respect we recognize the dignity of another's personality. In other words, it is the spirit of living inharmony with one another in social life. In a Judo contest the contestants should face each other in the proper posture, looking properly at each other and using moderation in their actions. Thus they are in harmony in which they never set each other at defiance, and maintain the dignity of personality. Hence it is taught that exercises in Judo should begin with courtesy and end with courtesy.

That is all about Judo for now. I sure hope that after reading all 5 posts that I have compiled, you have learned much more about this amazing form of martial art. Thank you all for your kind dedications, comments and contributions.
-Wan Qi

Judo Training Methods
Judo uses three types of training method: formal exercises (kata), freestyle fighting (randori), and matches (shiai). In the formal exercises we determine various instances in which defence or attack might be needed, establish rules for controlling body motion in accordance with correct judo theory, and practice using these set of movement rules. We will omit discussions of both the formal exercises and the techniques used in them.
In freestyle fighting two men practicing together make full use of the throws and the grappling techniques to polish and refine themselves. In matches, we too make use of all the techniques at our command, but in this case the aim is to defeat our opponent.
Training order requires thorough training with freestyle fighting and then participation in matches. Once you have gotten to the point where you are relatively good in judo, you will decide what things you need special training in and practice them yourself in formal exercise training. 
If you are interested in trying these methods out or in fact take up Judo as a past time, you can visit the Singapore Judo academy.

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The three kinds of practice

From the past, we have been taught of three kinds of practice: first rapid techniques which are applied against a man who is better at judo than yourself. In this type of practice you get thrown a great deal. We call this sutekeiko, or throw-away practice, in Japanese. The second method is to practice with someone around your level with the same way you would have if you were involved in a judo match. The third method calls for your practicing with someone not as good at judo as you are. This is not supposed to be a chance for you to shove and push with the strength of your body and arms; it is supposed to be practice in which you use proper body motions, force your opponent off balance, and use techniques that you can handle easily.
Practising to win is an error

One of the most striking things to happen on the postwar judo scene is the almost total abundance of practice for practice's sake, not for the sake of winning. We are told in precise detailed explanations that all virtue lies in practice for practice's sake. It is so significant to progress in the techniques that we must not neglect it. Ignorance of this importance and the attitude that one is a senior or one is a teacher and need practice only to win is a grave error. Prewar senior judo men and teachers reprimanded for this attitude.
Practice for practice sake is the basic element of progress. To repeat, practice for its own sake is the key to progress. Rather than thinking of throwing or taking down your opponent, think that he is actually being good enough to become the model on which you can both brush up on the techniques you are good in and learn various new techniques. Do not be affected if your opponent throws you or turns your own attack against you. Practice with the single idea of learning the body movements and the techniques themselves. In practice sessions use as many right techniques, left techniques, and counter attacks as possible. Naturally, with all this activity one of these practice bouts can only last two or three minutes. That is all right, but remember, work out, rest a moment, work out again, rest again, and keep this process going throughout the entire practice session.
Nowadays, practically everybody assumes that the thing to do is to have an advanced judo man teach you what to do and then for everyone to practice with someone more or less on their own level of proficiency. This notion results in the young man anxious to practice but standing glumly around in the training room because he is ready to work out but is so good that no one is willing to practice with him. Such an attitude, of course, is foolish way of thinking.

Adapted from: http://judoinfo.com/kudo.htm
Compiled and Edited by: Wan Qi

Ranking System

In the days before Kano created Judo, there was no kyu/dan ranking system in the martial arts. A more traditional method of recognizing achievement was the presentation of certificates or scrolls, often with the secrets of the school inscribed. Kano started the modern rank system when he awarded shodan to two of his senior students (Shiro Saigo and Tsunejiro Tomita) in 1883. Even then, there was no external differentiation between yudansha (black belt ranks) and mudansha (those who hadn't yet attained black belt ranking).

Judo created the system of ranks, now used in most other martial arts, that recognize a person's degree of knowledge, ability, and leadership. There are separate ranks for juniors (under 17) and seniors. Judo ranks are identified by colored belts, and ten degrees of advanced grades for black belts. Regular advancement encourages students to achieve more.

7 belts not including dans[white, yellow, orange, green, blue (purple), brown, and black]

Kanō's original kyū-dan grading system:

Judo kyū belt colors in the United States:

Principles and Goals

Judo, as you know, is translated as the "gentle way", teaches the principle of flexibility in the application of technique rather than pure strength. This is the flexible or efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the performance of Judo throws and various skills. Skill, technique and timing, rather than the use of brute strength, are the essential ingredients for success in Judo. For example, in Judo classes you may learn how to give way, rather than use force, to overcome a stronger opponent. The principles of Judo, such as "Maximum Efficiency" and "Mutual Welfare and Benefit", can also be used in our dealings with others in life. The ultimate goal in Judo is to develop oneself to the maximum extent possible, always striving for perfection, so that you can contribute something of value to the world. Competition

Similar to all other competitions, Judo competitions consist of a set of complex yet necessary rules. The competition area shall be a minimum of 14m x 14m and a maximum of 16m x 16m and shall be covered by tatami or similarly acceptable material, generally green in colour.

The competition area shall be divided into two zones. The demarcation between these two zones shall be called the danger zone and shall be indicated by a red area, approximately 1m wide, forming part of or attached to the contest area, parallel to the four sides of the competition area.

The area within and including the danger zone, shall be called the contest area and shall always be of a minimum of 8m x 8m or a maximum of 10m x 10m. The area outside the danger zone shall be called the safety area and shall be 3m wide.

An adhesive blue tape and a white tape, approximately 10cm wide and 50cm long shall be fixed on the centre of the contest area at a distance of 4m apart, to indicate the positions at which the contestants must start and end the contest. The blue tape shall be to the referee's right and the white to his left.

The competition area must be fixed to a resilient floor or platform. There two or more adjoining competition areas are used, a common safety area of a minimum of 4m is necessary.

A free zone, a minimum of 50cm must be maintained around the competition area.

Note: Where the Rules refer to blue judogi, blue tape, blue flags, blue scoreboard etc, it is permissible for tournament organisers to specify that both contestants will wear a white judogi, the first contestant called will wear a red belt in addition to the grade belt, the second contestant called will wear a white belt in addition to the grade belt, and the equipment (flags, tape, scoreboard, etc) will be red instead of blue.

In Judo, hygiene is one of the top priorities. The judogi shall be clean, generally dry and without unpleasant odour with nails of the feet and hands cut short. The personal hygiene of the contestants shall be of high standard and long hair has to be tied so as to avoid causing any inconvenience to the other contestants.

Competition durations are limited to 5 minutes for men and 4 minutes for women. Any contestant is entitled to rest between contests for a period of 10 minutes. 

Competitors are also advised to wear a white Judogi.

Adapted from: http://judoinfo.com/obi.htm

                       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judo_ranks_and_grades                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2XW74jdz9g

Compiled and edited by: Wan Qi

Why Practise Judo?

One may not realize it but Judo emphasizes safety and full physical activity for top conditioning. Judo is learned on special mats to enable safety and comfort. After all, safety is priority. Besides safety, Judo also develops self-discipline and respect for oneself and others. It also provides the means for attaining self-confidence, concentration and leadership, as well as physical coordination, power, and flexibility.
As a sport that has evolved from a fighting at, it develops complete body control, fine balance, and fast reflexive action. Above all, it fosters a sharp reacting mind well-coordinated with the same kind of body. Judo training provides a person an effective self-defensive reaction when necessary.
Judo is unique in all age groups, both gender and most disabled people are too able to participate together in learning and practicing the sport. One major advantage of Judo is that it is an inexpensive, year-round activity, that appeals to people from all walks of life. People from very young children to those sixty years of age can too enjoy this amazing form of martial art. Judo is also often a part of the training carried out by athletes preparing for Mixed Martial Arts(MMA) matches.

With this said, does Judo seem a little more intriguing now? This is only the beginning of your knowledge of Judo though. There is definitely more to learn about!  

Adapted from: http://judoinfo.com/new/

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judo_ranks_and_grades

Compiled and edited by: Wan Qi

What is Judo about?

The judo Kodokan badge is not a flower as many mistakes it to be. This badge is made up of a red circle inside a red-edged white octagon. The white inner side symbolizes pure spirit while the red circle means indomitable spirit. The badge was made official on October 1940.

Judo is found in 1882 by  Dr. Jigoro Kano. Judo is best known for its spectacular throwing techniques but also involves considerable grappling on the ground utilizing specialized pins, control holds,  arms locks, and Judo choking techniques. In fact, Judo relies more on technique rather than strength.

Just like all other sports, Judo consists of a strict set of rules that governs competition and ensures safety. For those who are looking for a challenge, Judo offers the opportunity for competition at all skill levels, ranging from clubs to national tournaments, to the Olympic Games. Separate weight divisions for men, women, boys and girls are available.

There is so much more about Judo that you have yet to learn about. Be sure to check back in every week for new posts, providing vast and accurate information about this interesting martial art.


Adapted from: http://judoinfo.com/new/
Compiled and edited by: Wan Qi