COMBAT JUDO: THE STRAIGHT PUNCH

LEAD HAND STRAIGHT PUNCH 

By Barron Shepherd

COMBAT JUDO was originally developed to address the needs of military personnel, facing new hand-to-hand combat challenges, as a way to ensure a streamlined, tested, and effective method of self-defense. Combat judo’s roots stem from WWI. It was established as a combination of judo and boxing that was extremely effective in trench warfare during the latter half of WWI. It wasn't until WWII that it was referred to as Combat Judo this was done to distinguish it from traditional martial arts systems. 

Basic Punches for Combat Judo

In the early stages of learning techniques, all punches, straight punches, the hook, and uppercut must be practiced in standing position. Then practice the punches together with boxing steps. The training approach for punches must be in following sequence:

● Punch in standing position

● Punch with forward and backward step

● Punch with side steps.

First learn single punch with boxing stance and then with movement. Then learn the next punch with boxing stance and then with movement. After mastering at least two punches (in this case the  straight punch with lead and rear hand) with both standing and with movement, learn to use these two punches as a combination by standing, then with the movement. Example Lead hand straight punch to head followed with rear hand straight punch to stomach or solar plexus.

The following is some common mistakes to look out for:

● Punching without rotating body

● Bodyweight shifted to the wrong side

● Lifting chin upward

● Chin not protected

● Head leaned forward, backward, or sideways

● Legs in wrong position before and after punching with steps

● Fists not rotated correctly

● Retract arm low or sideways after striking a blow

● Slow retracting hand to base position

 

Straight Punches

Straight punches are very useful against an opponent standing at long distance. Long distance refers to the distance between two fighters being far enough that the one cannot deliver the punch without stepping forward.

In SSGT Robert Carlin’s book entitled "Combat Judo", he describes combat Judo to be a streamlined fighting method and Carlin shares example after example of what he classified as "streamlined". Some very often misinterpret the word "streamlined" used in the description of Carlin’s Combat Judo to mean "simple" or "easy", something that one can be proficient in with little to no training. One description of combat judo that gets bantered around the internet a lot is that “combat judo is a easily learned dirty trick fighting method".  This really couldn't be any further from the truth. 

Streamlined techniques are techniques that share the same tactics, strategy, principles and movement. The straight punch is no exception to this rule. The straight punch is an important mechanical movement that can be used to prepare for the main attack whether it be used as a strike or utilized to set up a throw. 

USING THE STRAIGHT LEAD TO SET UP HIP THROW

The utilization of the straight punch's same exact mechanics can be used to set up a throw. In relation to Combat Judo as opposed to boxing, the straight punch also be used as a heel of palm strike to one of both of the shoulders to disturb the opponent’s actions and disrupt the opponents balance before executing a throw. 

In order to effectively train the following sequence of training is recommended:

● Lead arm straight punch to the head in standing position

● Lead arm straight punch to the head with forward step

● Lead arm straight punch to the head with backward step and side steps

● Rear arm straight punch to the head in standing position

● Rear arm straight punch to the head with forward step

● Rear arm straight punch to the head with backward step and side steps

REAR HAND STRAIGHT PUNCH 

After the fighter masters the straight punches with movement, you should begin training basic defense against and counter attack setting up to execute throws. 

Barron Shepherd is a 3rd degree black belt instructor and USA JUDO certified coach, a USA BOXING certified boxing coach and certified NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.

Barron Shepherd is an instructor and member of USA JUDO, USJA (the United States Judo Association) and the USJF (the United States Judo Federation), the National Governing Bodies for Judo in the United States.

TRAINING AND CONDITIONING FOR JUDO

In the book “Kodokan Judo” by Jigoro Kano, he specifically states that there are two methods of training in judo, Kata and Randori. Kata/forms teach the fundamentals of a technique and randori/free sparring teach how to apply those techniques in live situations on fully resistant partners. Of the two, Kano said "Randori is the most effective method of training". 

Kata was learned first and then training progressed to randori. Randori is practiced in training in methods of both attack and defense or as physical education, the improvement of health, in other words, physical fitness.

Judo can and does take different forms for different people. Some train in judo to learn self-defense while others train recreationally for fun or for fitness. There are those who train for social reasons and those who want to or wish to be competitive. There are retired judo athletes who still enjoy going to a judo club just to have fun doing randori with some of the younger members, these sessions are inturn enjoyed by the younger members as well.

I do encourage willing and able members to compete. I believe that competition judo offers an opportunity for personal growth unmatched by any other sports activities. Competing in judo however, is not a requirement. No professionally run judo club would make competition a requirement, but to the members that are competition oriented, strength and conditioning should be an important aspect of their overall training regimen.

Despite the need for individualized programs for each type of judoka, there are some common aspects in training that are important to Judo performance. For elite judo athletes and even the noncompetitive recreational judoka alike, sport specific training and conditioning is essential. For the recreational practitioner, a supplemental strength and conditioning program is a must and highly recommended. Staying in shape to do judo, rather than doing judo to get and stay in shape should be a general rule. 

A typical judo class even at the recreational level would be laid out something like this:

• Warm-up: 10–15 minutes.

• Conditioning: 30 minutes.

• Technique instruction and review:  10–15 minutes.

• Technique- or situation-specific drills: 10–15 minutes

• Randori: 30–45 minutes

My own personal training and conditioning program is very Judo specific. An average day consists of
three different workouts; a bodyweight/calisthenics and core workout in the morning, a conditioning workout at mid day and a strength workout mid after noon followed by judo in the evening. This generally is about 5 to 6 hours a day. 

The following is one of the conditioning routines:

JUDO MID DAY WORKOUT 

Judo specific training/conditioning.          

Battle rope workout with Seoi nage drills using bicycle inner tubes for resisstance at the end as finisher.

4 sets of 40 reps of each exercise. 30 seconds to 1 minute rest between sets. 1 superset of all 4 exercises 30 to 40 reps each no rest period between exercises. 

1. Alternating waves

2. Rope Slams

3. Hip toss

4. Snakes on the ground

For this partucular workout I will finish it off with specific throw uchikomi using bicycle inner tubes for resisstance.  I will pick a few different throws and  do five sets of 20 to 30 reps of each techniques with 30 seconds of rest between each set for more of a power uchikomi drill and then I will do 3 sets of each technique for speed.   

SEOI NAGE DRILLS

5 sets of 20 reps 30 seconds rest between sets

1. Right side Seoi Nage

2. Left side seoi nage

3. Right side Ippon seoi nage

4. Left side Ippon Seoi nage

4 sets to failure 30 seconds rest between sets.

 Alternating left side right to side seoi nage

Barron Shepherd is a 3rd degree black belt instructor and certified coach in Judo, boxing coach and NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.

BATTLE ROPE TRAINING FOR JUDO

Become a machine, train like a judoka with THE BATTLE ROPE. 

Judo is a rigorous and demanding physical activity and it’s demands are unique and rather complex.  A Judo fight is too long to be pure anaerobic effort, and too intense just to be purely aerobic . 

A judoka must be powerful and ALSO have great endurance, be fast and very strong in ALL planes of motion. The battle ropes have very quickly become one of my  all time favorite training and conditioning methods. It is a very versatile and eclectic piece of equipment and the varying degrees of workouts make the battle ropes extremely fun and enjoyable...not to mention extremely effective for judo. The versatiliy of the tempo and the intenisty of Battle rope training makes it possible to go back forth either gradually, suddenly and explosively from a pure muscle strengthening exercise into a collection of more mixed exercises going back forth ranging from pure strength to cardio to strength endurance, aerobic to anaerobic.

The battle rope is really an essential tool that is ultra-specific to the judoka. It simultaneously developes grip strength, wrist strenght, the muscles of the back, the rotator cuff, scapula stabilizers, abdominals, biceps, triceps and the forearms. A major cardiovascular and injury preventative dimension is added with the intense muscle engagement.

Also in Judo one has to use strength in situations where our base isnt stable and often we are even on one leg during throws. One of the neglected aspects in training is co-ordination of hands and feet. Battle ropes offer a great method of training because you can make both huge improvements in strength and stamina yet also incorporate the feet.

Benefits of battle rope training:

You can maintain a high intensity over an extended period of time

You can use it to get in a full-body workout

It increases lactic acid threshold in the upper body which is super unique because most of the time work like this is done with the lower body

You can alternate between low and high impact by the way you move the rope

Great for developing grip strength 

You’re able to work the upper body independently

You can engage the wrists to develop wrist strength

Helps improve balance and coordination

Circuit battle-rope exercises to boost arm and shoulder strength.

Effective exercise for grip-fight in Judo.

A battle rope is one of the few pieces of equipment that targets almost every major muscle group in the body. You can use these ropes for individual exercises, as a finisher, or as an entire training routine.

As a judoka, in practice one gives 100 percent and engages with the opponent constantly using everything you have physically in randori/free practice. The battle ropes can be used hundreds of different ways to “mimic” the exertion that a judoka has to put forth in randori/competitiion.

Barron Shepherd is a 3rd degree black belt instructor and coach in Judo, a certified boxing coach and certified NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.

HOW IMPORTANT IS CONDITIONING IN SELF DEFENSE?

Physical conditioning is often over looked in a lot of dojo’s. My advice is that if you attend one of these dojos you should probably find another one. I am a firm believer in fitness and conditioning. I do resistance training with bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, weights, High Intensity interval training, the list goes on AND I advise my students do likewise.  Conditioning is a no brainer the better shape you’re in the better you will perform. My students perform their martial arts better the more fit they are. Be it Judo, Karate, any type of self defense training it is a physical endeavor and being strong and having good cardio endurance has a positive impact on how well they apply their specific skill set.

There is this prevailing thought amoung some that you don’t have to be in shape or fit when it comes to self-defense. The argument is that normally an attack doesn’t last long, it doesn’t last minutes, just seconds. Well newsflash!!!! It only takes seconds to become depleted, run out of gas, if your aren’t in shape.  Check out the following video. Pay particular attention to the drill at the 4 minute mark and the comment the instructor makes right after the drill at 4:13.

The drill in the video only lasted seconds, less than 20 seconds to be more exact and the participants had already become fatigued and were breathing heavily. As far as condtioning for street self-defense goes this video points out a glaring fact and exposes the fallacy that it isn’t important to be in good condition.  

It really cant be said enough that it is just good common sense to prepare for the possibility that we may not finish the fight in just a few seconds. Having a high level of endurance and the ability to outlast the bad guy can spell the difference between successfully defending ourselves and not.

WHAT TO DO. 

In terms of street fighting/self-defense, the training you get in a regular class may be enough as long as you are training minimum of 3 to 4 times a week and are constantly pushing yourself. You should be working up a sweat and be drenched in sweat by the end of the class.

If you can't train at least 3 days a week I would advise you to do calisthenics at home in addition to your training for 45 minutes each day. If you wish to supplement with cardio I recommend skipping hard for 5 sets of 2 minutes or swimming for 20 minutes, as they are typically low impact exercises. You can get in excellent shape by doing your martial art alone IF you train hard enough, but most people do not push themselves to this point (hence people with a black belt and an overly bloated waistline, the proverbial beer belly).

In terms of weight lifting, do 1-2 supplementary exercises a day aiming for 3 sets of high reps (15-20) to build muscle endurance. If you’re doing weight lifting, keep in mind you're not trying to develop strength to move the opponent rather you're developing explosiveness, the strength to move YOUR body quicker.  Also, street fighting body conditioning exercises such as knuckle push-ups, bare knuckle heavy-bag training, shin conditioning, etc. all build muscle. Furthermore, hard sparring, randori etc (about 20 rounds of 2 minutes a week) is important.

I would also point out that obesity, obesity related illnesses, Heart disease, diabetes, and others are far more likely to threaten our lives than any would be mugger or active shooter. A simple weight training and cardio plan along with a good diet will do wonders to help defeat those foes. Would this not be the ultimate form of self-defense for ourselves?

Barron Shepherd is a 3rd degree black belt instructor and coach in Judo, a certified boxing coach and certified NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.

COMBAT JUDO: ATHLETIC ATTRIBUTES

In order to be good at judo you have to realize there are a lot of atheltic attributes that make up judo as a martial art, a self defense sytem and a combat sport. A Judoka needs to do complete full body exercises, they also need grip strength, pulling strength, power and explosiveness. Along with this they need strong core muscles focusing on rotation above all others. Another aspect of training is co-ordination of both hands and feet.

DON'T DO JUDO TO GET IN SHAPE, GET IN SHAPE TO DO JUDO

There are individuals who are fit for their chosen sport or activity and then there are those who are fit for fighting. Whether its judo as just recreation, or self defense or the advaanced athlete, the Judoka definitely falls into the latter category. Judo uses finesse and as mentioned before, judo requires a high degree of other attributes like strength, power, endurance, speed, etc.  You cannot be successful in judo and be out of shape.

The physical demands of Judo are unique and rather complex.  A Judo fight is too long to be pure anaerobic effort, but too intense to be aerobic purely. Part of what makes judo so tough is the fact that rounds require five minutes of constant contact between competitors. Judo is a rigorous and demanding physical activity. In practice you can give 100 percent and engage with your opponent constantly using everything you have physically in randori/free practice.

In judo there are no rounds or periods or rest. A Judo match can consist of five to ten-minute time frames, when compared to other sports activities, the aerobic demands of judo are quite intense. The demands on the grip are very high Judo players pull and tug on each other’s jackets incessantly. Grips, grip strength and grip fighting remain constant and consistent through out the match, not allowing the judo competitor to rest or "coast" during a match to pace themselves. High tension, powerful and explosive moves are to be expected and performed at almost any moment.Be it just a recreational practitioner or even a decent local level player both need to be able to do five to seven minutes of frequent high intensity bursts. 

Wear and tear on the body is an issue, one that will pervade all aspects of a judoka's training. While one of the best ways to train for judo competition is to hit the mat, not everyone has the body to withstand such a high number of hard falls each day from the dynamic throws found in Judo. In addition, judo requires at least one willing partner who is able to absorb the same, if not more punishment from the player. You become tough with Judo physically and mentally.

It is also important to acknowledge that strategy and tactics must be thought out and carefully crafted. You must study strategy and tactics and be prepared to use them knowing that many require the other attributes such as good fitness and technical ability.

 Attributes for a good judoka:

1.      Aerobically fit

2.       Anaerobically fit

3.       Able to defend your opponent’s attacks 

4.       Technically sound; have good execution of throws, submissions and pins in randori/competition

5.       Have Full body strength-endurance

6.       Have Maximal strength

7.       Be flexible enough to bend/twist your way in and out of  grappling situations-throws  and escaping and countering submissions, holds/pins

8.       Be Mentally strong; able to withstand tough sessions as well as training day in and day out everyday

9.       Possess a Tactical mind

Barron Shepherd is a 3rd degree black belt instructor and coach in Judo, a certified boxing coach and certified NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GOOD JUDO COACH

 Excellence can be attained if you care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, and expect more than others think is possible.

Quality coaching from passionate and knowledgeable judo coaches is vital to delivering high quality judo for everyone who participates in the art. Coaching judo covers a wide range of roles, levels, and skills. Coaching requires a certain level of judo skills as well as knowledge of the sport. A knowledge and experience which will be valuable to the coach and to their students/athletes.

I honestly believe that one of the greatest injustices to the student of judo is for the coach to come to a class unprepared. A Judo coach doesn’t teach from the hip so to speak. For the coach to stand before a class and say, “let’s see, what will we work on tonight?” is really just……unpardonable. Coaching judo is not impromptu. There is no short cutting lessons or lesson plans. Coaching or teaching judo is no different than teaching in general, there should be lesson plans, class material must be prepared in advance. The coach must plan well in advance of any given session to affect some continuity of material that is presented. The coach should attempt to link material from one session to the next.

It is important that a good coach not only be a student of Judo but also in the field of athletic performance…. After all what is judo…..yep it’s athletic movement. Read as much as you can on all the subjects that will affect you. Among many topics, this would include literature on athletic training methods, sport specific conditioning, nutrition, sports medicine, and sports psychology.

A good coach will continue training themselves. A good judo coach should be fully aware, that judo is an endless path and should not succumb to the self-delusion of believing that they know everything. A good coach should be skilled, experienced and athletic, but those three alone make a good judoka, not a good coach.

A coach's job isn't just to be good at judo but it's also to impart that skill to his students. Coaches need to have good communication skills, patience and an ability to adapt their teaching style to a range of different individuals.  A knowledgeable judo coach will be capable of getting the student to the level he or she desires be it a recreational level or the elite competitive level.

Barron Shepherd is a 3rd degree black belt instructor and USA JUDO certifed coach, a certified boxing coach and certified NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.

IS YOUR JUDO INSTRUCTOR LEGIT?

One of the questions I often get asked the most is how to tell if a judo school or program is legitimate. This is a pretty simple question to answer. Judo is pretty well regulated. If you're attending a dojo whose instructor is recognized by one of the official Judo organizations then it is more than likely legitimate, but dont stop there. For the sake of this article I am going to hit on as many indicators as I can for the person interested in looking for an authentic judo program.

Some dojos follow tradition more than others and maybe the judo school that you are looking at just happens to be less formal. Not a problem really......for example in my school, just call me coach, not sensei, and incessant bowing drives me nuts anyway. 

Spending the first month doing nothing but ukemi (breakfall) is nothing unusual, though they should have shown you one or two techniques at some point during that first month. These may well be techniques like Osoto-gari, Seoi-nage or O-goshi. The style of instruction can change depending on whether your school focuses on producing competitors or is more of a traditional school of people who want to do Judo as a hobby or recreation.

So, what is it that one needs to look at as far as the authenticity of a judo school or program?

First and foremost, Judo is a rigorous and demanding physical activity. There isn’t a whole lot of standing around or long lectures in judo. The practice of judo techniques helps people develop basic and fundamental physical fitness in a number of ways, such as the development of strength, flexibility, agility, speed, dynamic and static balance, explosive power, and endurance. My Judo program involves teaching Judo to non-competitive and competitive members, I focus on making students who are more physically fit and better disciplined with a solid knowledge of judo.

Any person who is looking to take up judo should make sure that the instructor is a member of a National Governing Body (NGB) of Judo. There are only three national governing bodies for judo in the United states, these are the following;

1. USA JUDO

2. USJA - The United States Judo Association

3. USJF - The United States Judo Federation

These above national governing bodies are the only ones in the US that are recognized by the Kodokan as well as the IJF, the International Judo Federation. The Kodokan, or the Kōdōkan Judo Institute is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. The International Judo Federation (IJF) is the world governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of judo.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are no other organizations other than USA JUDO, USJA and the USJF that are recognized or endorsed by the Kodokan in the United States.

The Judo instructor should be a black belt (Dan grade) that has registered and VERIFIED rank with one of the national governing bodies of judo, USA Judo, USJI or USJF and the instructor should also have a coaching certificate from one of the national governing bodies as well. Also, most instructors should have some tournament experience, competed in judo tournaments on some level at some point in their careers.

Judo is by its design a full contact martial art. Virtually every legitimate Judo Dojo is full contact. In Randori and tournaments you find out pretty quickly if your instructor and his students know what they are doing or not. The Judo black belts will and do randori with the beginners. A good Judo instructor will “move around” with the white belts. My fondest memories in Judo are being a complete newbie and being thrown by the instructor and hitting the mat as light as a feather. These instructors know thier judo and really put the “art” in “martial art."

From a technical point of view, the most important thing is if an instructor can explain what makes a technique work well and what won’t work. The instructors who can break down complex movements and concepts into smaller segments which can be explained concisely in a short period of time really understands how to teach. In addition, it is important for an instructor to know how to structure daily lessons and have a good sense of controlling time during the lesson. A good instructor understands how to convey information in such a way it is meaningful to the students to apply. To take it further, in a competition-oriented program, a good instructor knows how to prepare the program for competition.

GOOD INDICATORS:

1. Slick, crisp, seemingly effortless throws

2. Standup randori is a common part of each training session

3. Detailed instruction

4. A history of success in some competitions outside their own dojo (The instructor doesn’t have to be an elite level competitor, the point is you can’t have minor success even at a recreational level without having at least some skill)

BAD INDICATORS:

1. Strained, clumsy looking throws

2. No frequent standup randori

3. Instructors groaning and moaning stuff like "this guy is too heavy", "that throw never works without the partner helping"

4. Zero participation in NGB sanctioned tournaments (sometimes the reason is the "instructors” are afraid of having their skills or teachings tested)

RED FLAGS TO LOOK FOR

There are numerous red flags to look for that will help one determine if the judo instructor or program are questionable.

1. The most obvious being of course and the one that needs to be repeated, is not being a member of any of the recognized NGBs. This is the most important one and is definitely a very good indicator.

2. “The NGBs are all about the sport of judo and nothing else.” This is not a very intelligent statement to make and nothing could be further from the truth. First off, and most importantly if the NGBs only catered to sport oriented judoka the NGBs could not exist financially. There just isn’t an abundance of competition-oriented judoka that could sustain the national governing bodies for judo in the US much less just one. Catering to only sport judo and ignoring the abundance of non-competitive judoka would be the equivalent of cutting their throats financially.

Secondly, a quick look at the three NGBS and you will see a wide range curriculum for both the competitive sport judoka and the non-competitive judoka. In Judo it's likely that you'll be able to obtain a black belt in 3 to 6 years based on your commitment to the art. Notice I said “commitment to the art of judo” and not sport of judo. Part of the art is competition, ie. randori. If you are involved with the sport of judo and compete regularly you may attain rank closer to the lower end of the 3 to 6 years spectrum mentioned above.

To give you an idea of how rank may be earned in any of the NGBs let’s look at what it may take to go from the rank shodan, first degree blackbelt to nidan, second degree blackbelt. In the three NGBs you have to have so many years at shodan level to be promoted to nidan level. Let say, for example, one has to be a shodan for at least 4 years minimum to be eligible for nidan. This requirement is for non-competitive judoka or those not involved with the sport. If you compete in sanctioned judo tournaments regularly you may get a percentage of time up to 30 percent knocked off the standard minimum requirement. This means a active competitive judoka could earn his nidan in three years, shaving a year off the time in grade. 

Some NGBs offer other programs outside of sport judo to help non competitive judoka, grass roots judo programs, self defense instructor programs, kata certification programs etc.

When an "instructor" tells you they aren’t a member of any of the NGBs and that their requirements are different this generally means they cant meet the NGB’s standards or do not want to put the time in that is required by the NGBs for rank at every level of judo from beginner to advanced.....RED FLAG!

3. The instructor says that their standards are different than that of the recognized NGBs. This will typically mean that the standards in his class are much lower, very substandard at best to absolutely having no standards at all. I personally had a guy come into my class and wanted to be an assistant instructor and help out with judo. He said he was a black belt and vehemently claimed he knew all 65 throws of the Kodokan left and right side (this isnt a statement a legit judoka would make). Upon observing him, the extent of his knowledge was just being able to do throws from only a static position on a total compliant and motionless uke. He could not apply the techniques moving around on a resisstant opponent in randori. Not being able to randori or absence of randori in training is a strong indication the person or school isnt legitimate.

4. They use the term or phrase “Kodokan Judo”, for example they say they were “promoted to black belt in Kodokan Judo”. This is yet another big red flag! Legit judoka refer to Judo as simply JUDO. There is just no need to describe it as anything else in any of the three NGBs which are the only three organizations that are endorsed by the Kodokan itself. The only ones who currently use the term “Kodokan Judo” seem to be those with extremely suspicious and questionable backgrounds and practices. This differentiation is generally used to convince others they are more legitimate than they really are. You will even see folks use the term coupled with the word “traditional.” This should serve as another red flag.

5. Putting down the sport or its NGBs. You might read or hear something like the following: “The NGBs are far from having any real authority or influence in governing anything related to traditional judo.”                                                    Again this is very misleading as that only Judo’s recognized governing bodies (USA JUDO, USJF, USJA) in the US are endorsed by the Kodokan. The Kodokan is where judo originated and serves as the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. Also and most importantly the requirement for ranks in the three national governing bodies here in the US meet the same requirements as that of the Kodokan's. 

Judoka have no qualms about randori with anyone. Again Randori is a BIG part of judo training. Instructors who tend to shy away from randori as well as competition tend to be on the less reputable side of things.  Normally this might be put to the student in this manner…..”we don’t do sport judo we teach only self-defense” or “we just teach traditional judo.” To clarify, there are a lot of registered instructors and programs that do not compete and that is okay. However, randori SHOULD still be present in training. If the instructor says he doesn’t do sport judo nor is he affiliated with one of the recognized NGBs, then you should seek out a another teacher and program. 

6. Kodokan membership card. This is a somewhat rare phenomenon but there has been a few times where questionable individuals try and use the Kodokan membership card as a proof of their rank, affiliation, a license and or a endorsement from the Kodokan.  There have even been some cases of forged or photoshopped Kodokan member cards and documents. Membership cards from the Kodokan can be purchased by tourists or anyone simply visiting the KDK or doing a walk thru tour. You can even purchase a Kodokan member card via phone or online, all you have to do is call or email the kodokan and inquire. A life time member card is less than a hundred US dollars. My advice is dont take a KDK member card on its own as proof of rank or endorsement. 

 FAKE KODOKAN MEMBER CARD

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:

Once again your suspicions should go up if your instructor isnt affiliated with any of the recognized NGBs. Question them as to why they are not affiliated with the recognized governing bodies for judo and listen to the answers they give and mannerisms when asked questions. If they act put off or upset then just walk away. There is nothing wrong with basically interviewing the instructor and asking him about his qualifications and experience etc. Questioning an instructors qualifications isnt insulting. If the instructor is qualified he will have no problems at al with answering your questions.  If the instructor cant answer your questions very simply then it is a good indicator that there is something wrong.

In this day and time many of the documents mentioned in this article for verification can be photo shopped, changed and forged. If he says he is a instructor who is in good standing with one of the recognized NGBs and even shows credentials, double check the information by contacting the NGB and verify what he says. That is one of the reasons USA JUDO, the USJA and USJF exist. Not only will he have a member card and certificates but he will also be on their member, instructor and coaches lists and rosters.

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK

Dont be afraid or worried to ask the instructor if he is affiliated with one of the recognized national governing bodies for judo in the US. This is a simple yes or no question. If the answer is yes then ask if his rank is verified thru them and if he is a certified coach thru them as well. The NGBs require instructors to become certified as coaches as well when they become black belts. The more of these credentials that he has from the NGBs the better, but double check his credentials by contact the NGBs directly. If the instructor isnt affiliated with USA JUDO, USJA or USJF then seek out another instructor.

JUDO IS JUDO

Dont Forget Judo is judo, no legitimate judoka sees or feels the need to use terms such as "Kodokan Judo" or "Traditional Kodokan Judo" for any kind of differentiation. Judo is judo, it is; 1.) a martial art, 2.) a combat sport, as well as 3.) an effective self defense system. Judo encompasses all three not just one or two. 

 

Winter Haven Judo Club Newspaper article from the 90's

COMBAT JUDO: KANI BASAMI

Sensei T. Tucker demonstrating Kani Basami on me (Winter Haven News Chief 1997)

In my last article I talked about SSG Robert Carlin’s inclusion of the drop kick in his classic WWII Combatives manual Combat Judo and how his drop kick more than likely come from a technique called Kani Basami, the scissor takedown or crab scissor. Both techniques are executed in much the same way. 

For me personally, Kani Basami was one of the throws that really caught my imagination in my study and practice of judo. It wasn’t a technique that is shown to beginners, that was for sure and I recall not being taught Kani Basami until after I was at a more advanced level. I learned kani basami as a leaping technique as opposed to the posting a hand on the mat version. I remember thinking when I saw the execution of the throw that it was indeed very advanced as well as very athletic. It remains the one throw that my instructor taught that stands out the most in my mind. Often when we would randori my teacher would surprise me with this technique. 

Tactically, Kani Basami had many advantages. Mainly it was/is a high percentage takedown with a very low risk of getting countered. It can also be used as a counter. It is one of the best dynamic entries one can use to surprise their opponent. 

With Kani Basami my instructor was particularly careful when executing it. A point of fact, he was extremely careful in our practice of it. It is a technique that has caused a number of injuries over the years in competition and practice and as a result it has been banned from competition. Even when Kani Basami is EXECUTED by a well-trained Judoka, the slightest misjudgment of distance and height on a moving opponent can result in a serious and even career ending injury. The injuries most often occur when the technique is executed too low and the thrower’s shoots his far side leg in first. With the leg furthest from your opponent going in first the thrower’s body weight is driven into the side of uke’s leg (much like a baseball player sliding into home base).  This has the potential to cause serious injury to knee (the ACL can blow easily) and ankle. 

To execute the throw safely and effectively the thrower has to place one leg across the opponent’s abdomen right at or just above the waist and the other leg is placed much lower down behind the knee or shin. To avoid injuring your opponent, the thrower should leap upward and throw the leg that is going to the front of the opponent’s abdomen/waist first, slightly ahead of the thrower’s other leg, that goes behind the opponent’s knee. 

RIGHT SIDE EXECUTION OF KANI BASAMI

Generally, this throw is executed when you are to the opponent’s left side and both of your feet are in line with both of his feet.  While gripping on the opponent’s shoulder, around the neck or the lapel with the right hand, the thrower launches off both feet and jumps up with his body facing to the left placing his right leg on uke‘s lower abdomen at the waist or just above. The thrower’s left leg then goes to the back of uke's knees. The thrower executes a scissor-like movement, from both the front and the rear, on the lower half of uke's body. The thrower twists his waist back towards the right, pulls back with the right hand while reaping so that uke falls towards his rear.

Now some may be used to seeing a lot of vids on you tube with the throw being executed by posting a hand on the mat and then executing the take down. However, as mentioned before, I was taught it as more of a leaping/jumping technique. Another point one may need to keep in mind is that I wouldn't leap directly into uke but rather the leap was directed more toward the rear as to further off balance uke rocking him back on his heels.

COMBAT JUDO: SSG CARLIN'S DROP KICK

Article by Barron Shepherd 

The problem with the combatives industry is that too many people will simply read a book on WWII combatives and then deem themselves an authority on the subject, refer to themselves “subject matter experts”. Most of these types have zero experience, have never been in the military. 

Most recently a couple of so called experts shared their personal analysis of Carlin's book Combat Judo calling it a questionable inclusion and referring to it as a WWE professional wrestling  type of technique. The following is a quote from their book: “Also of questionable inclusion is the drop kick. Yes a WWE style drop kick, against a knife no less. WWII era combatives are always touted as bare bones, direct and absent of flash. What happened here? Why do combatives experts ignore Carlin’s obvious mistake with the drop kick? This however can be forgiven as a sign of the times.”  

I have to ask now, what exactly is there to be forgiven? Of course, these “know it alls” never answer or even try and answer their own question. Instead they just second guess Carlin's methods. Carlin’s inclusion of the drop kick made no sense to these self titled “experts” so they attempt to explain it away as some sort of glaring tactical error or misjudgment on Carlin's part. They literally seem to suggest that Carlin, after spending two years putting this book together, out of nowhere, all of a sudden, in the middle of it, had a brain freeze and apparently forgot all his training or something.  

Simply addressing Carlin’s drop kick lesson as a "WWE" style pro wrestling type move is very telling as to how little research was actually put into understanding Carlin's Combat judo method.  Professional wrestling was kind of popular back during this time but the fact that this may have influenced Carlin I find to be very highly unlikely. As mentioned in an earlier article Carlin was a man extensively trained in Judo and Hand to hand combat, a man who had literally taught thousands of Marines. So just throwing something in there that is all of a sudden out in left field or just as "filler" doesn’t make any sense. What does make sense is that martial arts is an athletic endeavor regardless if it is tai chi or judo. It is ALL athletic movement. Some movements are complex and some are gross motor based movements. Actions like the drop kick, running, jumping, etc. are all primal gross motor actions. Combatives are generally primal gross motor movements these movements function optimally when under duress, like the duress of war. 

There were more than a few reasons for Carlin to include the drop kick in his book. Unarmed hand to hand combat techniques were taught because the soldier on the battle field may need a means to fight if he has somehow found himself not being able to use his weapons or was without a weapon. If we look at old combatives manuals we very often see techniques that are made up of primal gross motor action. 

Long range unarmed fighting techniques like kicks were used against a knife and bayonet wielding enemy. A leg kick is a natural choice as a long-range weapon if there was no other choice, when no other type of weapon could be picked up or used.  Parrying and countering a bayonet thrust, or knife thrusts and slashes with kicks were quite commonly seen in many military combatives field training manuals. A drop kick/scissor takedown actually shows up in the knife disarm section of the 1963 US Army FM 21-150.

Carlin’s book describes combat Judo to be a streamlined fighting method and Carlin shares example after example of what he classified as "streamlined". They were techniques that share the same tactics, strategy, principles and movement. For an example one can look at lessons 16 and 17 in Carlin’s book. Lesson #16 utilizes a front kick to the groin to stop a forward assault, in lesson 17 in the same type of attack the front kick is executed in the same way as it is in lesson #16 and it simultaneously sets up the wheel throw/Tomo nage.

KANI BASAMI - LEG SCISSOR TAKEDOWN

Bearing Carlin's definition of streamlined in mind, it isn’t a huge transition to go from a technique like Kani basami (pictured left) to turning it into a drop kick. They both require the same basic athletic movement to execute (see video below). Now some who are used to seeing a lot of vids on you tube will see Kani basami executed by posting a hand on the ground and then executing the take down. I was taught kani basami as more of a leaping technique or motion. This execution of it is indeed very athletic. Looking at it in this light I can possibly see why Carlin interjected his drop kick method. In all likelihood, being a judoka, it was or he saw it as a variation of Kani Basami. 

Here is a clip of Royal Marines doing a Combatives demonstration. Look at the movement that pops up throughout the video both the drop kick and kani Basami/scissor takedown...…

Lastly, another reason Carlin likely put this in the book is because what was known as Combat Judo was taught during the later part of WWI. It had gained a reputation as being extremely effective in trench warfare. Fighting in the trenches (Imagine yourself fighting in a narrow corridor.) meant there was no room to circle your opponent and in a lot of cases not even get an angle on the enemy. The only option was to go straight in.  We actually see an example of this in old combatives training footage from WWI. In a clip we see the soldiers training run in and throw their training partner to the ground quickly.  

Taking the adversary off his feet as quickly as possible gave the soldier a tactical advantage, this was an ideal that carried on to WWII and beyond. It definitely would have given you and your unit some tactical advantages. Hitting someone with a drop kick when fighting in a trench would have sent the adversary reeling backgrounds knocking him down and had the potential to knock others down behind him. It would have definitely slowed the enemy's forward movement thru the trench and created a myriad of problems. Having the enemy momentarily have to negotiate how to get over or around a fallen comrade would have definitely given the soldier another fighting advantage. How much sense does a long range kicking technique like a drop kick make now?

The drop kick was just good old primal gross motor athletic movement based on sound tactics and strategy. As Carlin says in his opening pages; 
"A combatant on the battlefield who is unarmed must use the tools he has on him."

Carlin’s inclusion of the drop kick certainly fits the bill. 

Barron Shepherd is a Judo 3rd degree black belt instructor, trainer and coach, a certified boxing coach and certified NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.

Member of USA Judo and USJA (the United States Judo Association) the National Governing Bodies for Judo.

COMBAT JUDO: NOT FOR COUCH POTATOES OR CANDY ASSES

One of the questions I get asked consistently is…..What is Combat Judo? 

COMBAT JUDO was originally developed to address the needs of military personnel, facing new hand-to-hand combat challenges, as a way to ensure a streamlined, tested, and effective method of self-defense. 

Some very often misinterpret the word "streamlined" used in the description of Carlin’s Combat Judo to mean "simple" or "easy", something that one can be proficient in with little to no training. One description of combat judo that gets bantered around the internet a lot  is that it is"a easily learned dirty trick fighting method". This really couldn't be any further from the truth…….

Combat judo’s roots stem from WWI. It is a combination of judo and boxing. This method was basically recast years later as “Combat Judo”. This renaming so to speak was done to distinguish it from any of the classical/traditional martial art systems. 

CAPTAIN ALLEN CORSTORPHIN SMITH

What would later be referred to as Combat Judo began in WWI with CPT. Allen Corstorphin Smith of the United States Army. Smith had trained in judo at the Kodokan in Japan and earned his black belt from the Kodokan. He was the hand to hand combat instructor at the Infantry school in Ft. Benning, Georgia. Smith’s combatives program was a combination of boxing and judo. His methods are online on youtube, for all to see, in an old silent training film.  Though this system of fighting was brought out late into WWI Smith’s combatives method proved to be extremely effective in trench warfare. (See video of Cpt. Smith below)

By the start of WWII this fighting method had become wide spread through the different branches of the US military. During WWII it was taught to specialized units like the US Army Alamo scouts and other units for use in hand to hand combat situations in their operating areas during the war. “Combat Judo” became the name of this system utilized by the U. S. military primarily during this time.

SSG ROBERT CARLIN

SSG. Robert Carlin had been a amateur boxer who had boxed in the Golden Gloves, a wrestler and a Judoka. Carlin was honorably discharged from the United States Army when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. It was there that he received his hand to hand combat training under Colonel Anthony Drexel Biddle. It is said that Carlin also excelled at Hand to Hand combat in Ranger training (Army) and commando training (British). 

Carlin would go on and teach Judo in the marines. Later he was the instructor of judo instructors for Captain Leland Hanley, officer in charge at Cherry Point, N.C.  of Combat Conditioning. Carlin instructed the bayonet and instructors for Captain Armitage at Guadalcanal and taught H2H to the 29th Marines under Colonel Victor F. Bleasdale. In his career as an instructor Carlin trained thousands of Marines. 

During this time Carlin started writing and completed his book Combat Judo. Carlin took two years to complete his book that was written for both military and civilian defense. Carlin self-published Combat Judo in 1945.

In Carlin’s writings he states that combat Judo is a more advanced method of fighting. He even goes further into the details of its training by likening it to the training in boxing. As an example, even novice boxers put in hours and hours and round after round in training just the fundamentals alone. 

Looking at the fact that Carlin had been a golden gloves boxer and a judoka and the fact that Combat Judo was rooted in both boxing and judo his comparing it to boxing training makes perfect sense. In this light Carlin’s comparison speaks volumes of the importance he emphasizes in his book on how Combat Judo is to be trained. Simply learning “tricks” as Carlin puts it is not enough, one needs to learn the fundamentals. Carlin goes so far as saying people who only learn “tricks” often find themselves in situations they cant “solve” or deal with in fighting. Carlin points out that the reason they fail is they didn’t take time to train in the fundamentals of a system to the advanced. 

Not a single Combatives luminary, from Fairbairn to O’Neill to Biddle to Applegate, etc. ever contradicted the statement; “The more you sweat in training the less you bleed in a fight.” Every one of them advocated daily regular training.  

Carlin very glaringly makes the point in his book that minimal training WILL NOT and DOES NOT work! He drives home, like a proverbial nail in the coffin, the fact that there is no skimping on training, otherwise he wouldn’t have compared training in combat judo to boxing and wrestling. 

Barron Shepherd is a 3rd degree black belt judo instructor and coach, a certified boxing coach and certified NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.