JUDO RON 21-Shintai With Kokoro_doc

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Judo discussion and investigation of selected topics by Ronald Dsormeaux

JUDO RON-21. Shintai with Kokoro

In my previous publications1

some of the basic judo elements were discussed

at length. Hereunder, I wish to elaborate on the ways and means to make

effective displacements on the tatamis.

Judo is composed of several dynamic processes. It is made up of skills and

attitudes. Kokoro is defined as a mental and positive attitude or disposition.

This kind of mental fortitude is normally obtained through a stern training

practice and is exercised during the various challenges encountered during

judo competition.

Another definition for this expression of strength and flexibility of the mind

isKihara meaning strong intention and spirit directed towards the trainingpartner. It is expressed in the dynamic, focussed and intense movements

which are performed while making intelligent use of energy.

This positive attitude is the prelude to obtain a goodKuzushi by shifting the

body about and around (Tai Sabaki) the opponent and make greater use of

the opportunities provided by the temporary unbalance of the rival. Properly

displacing the total body as one unit (Shintai) is crucial.

Having Kokoro sets the harmony between the mind and the body and

permits the perception of real opportunities to deliver the effective attack.

Being fresh, concentrated and flexible, the entire body will better respond to

proper battle conditions at the right moment. To be successful in a judo

match:Ki Wo Miru or seizing the moment for attack is of prime importance.

Kokoro begins with an understanding of the meaning and purpose of all judo

encounters. One can not begin to exercise Kokoro if he does not know the

objectives of the exercise. To be focussed, one needs to establish the proper

objective of his or her participation in that exercise. Since judo Shiai and

Randori are performed with partners, there is a need to know the rules bywhich both kinds of encounters are played.

1Judo-Ron articles on WWW.Scribd.com 2009
http://www.scribd.com/http://www.scribd.com/


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Shiai is an ultimate contest resulting in the declaration of one Champion and

one defeated challenger. Randori is a guerrilla training type of exercise

without seeking a definite winner at the end. With both kinds of encounters,

an understanding of the rivals strength and weaknesses as well as

recognizing your own limitations are important to set the scene.

Once you decide to engage, there should be no hesitation; you should move

about in all directions, guided by your perception of the opportunities, the

speed of your execution and by the reactions of your opponent.

Remembering that you have to keep your execution simple and natural will

give you the necessary confidence to perform well.

Try to enter unto the tatami fighting zone with a battle plan based upon your

abilities and your comprehension of the tasks at hand. Your plan may not

succeed entirely as you have to keep in mind that your opponent is there toobstruct it and impose his own whenever he can.

Nevertheless, you should try to study his reactions to your actions and adjust

your strategy accordingly. You should elaborate and maintain a contingency

plan in your head in case things get out of reach; disengage temporarily and

get back to your initial natural posture (Shizentai) will give you sufficient

time to regroup your thoughts.

Then, do not waste any more time and re-launch your successive attacks and

keep moving about to confuse the rival thus creating new opportunities for

more Kuzushi and the ensuing technical combination or development.

Remind yourself, that you will not fail if you give it your best.

In my view, four elements govern your positive participation in Randori and

Shiai: your skills level, your knowledge of the game, your hard work and

your attitude. If you do not like what you are about to do, or the ways you

engage in it, it is time to change anyone of these factors. With proper

attitude, timing and sequence in the application of your Waza you can

realize what you aim for.

Now, you need the proper attitude to gain the advantage over your opponent

who may have heretofore displayed superior or equal technical skills. You

need to enter into your protective zone where he can not discern your

intentions or your objectives.


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You need to relax mentally, be aware of your surroundings and be confident

in your abilities. It is the time to think positively, murmur self

encouragement and reinforcement sentences, adjust your objective and find

ways to be contented with your efforts and your forthcoming performance.

You have to shed and remove all negative thoughts. Remove all the irritants

still roaming in your mind such as; the hostile environment, difficulties to

comprehend the rules, the chip on your shoulder vis--vis your opponents

strength, your training weaknesses and bad results of yesterday and the

difficulties of your last minutes of fighting. It is time to start a new segment

of the encounter with more confidence, drive and focus. Your partners and

opponents should be viewed as just people becoming part of you. They are

just another element for you to control and interact with. Your most

challenging rival is yourself.

Mentally in control, you should be ready for action by now. Positive actions

will emanate from you body displacements if you blend well with your

opponent and move quickly to coincide with the speed and direction of his

attack. Adopting Shizentai or standing natural posture will permit you to

detect early movements from the opponent and provide you with a greater

flexibility to make faster and flowing movements while retaining your

balance.

Either using regular walking movements (Ayumi Ashi) or the sliding foot

(Tsugi Ashi) techniques, you need to be free to move in any direction and

make greater use of the engaging distances known as Ma-Ai.

Keep in mind that the closer you are to your opponent, the greater the need

to use strength to keep him at bay. The farther away you are from the

opponent, the more speed and precision will be required to control him. You

therefore need to adjust your distances to enter, slip away, turn, go up or

down, pivot, slide under or raise and lower your body.

You have to keep on the move and not become a target for your opponent.Your continual freedom of action and mental secrecy should be used to

confuse and applyKuzushi on your rivals. Make intelligent use of your

displacements to gather and deploy the necessary energies to effectively

neutralise and overcome without resistance.


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Never sacrifice technical quality to gain strategic advantage by resorting to

mediocre Waza. All techniques need to be applied at the right moment and

must have a termination point calledKime; otherwise you risk of loosing

control of the situation and provide another escape opportunity for the

opponent.

You have to seek the IPPON without looking back as to where the opponent

is. If you have prepared the grounds and lured your opponent into the trap,

he will be forced to follow. By having goodKuzushi, Tsukuri and Kake, you

have all the odds in your favour. Wherever you will lead him, he will

followso, do not be afraid to give it all you got.

In this forthcoming training session, you should strive to balance your

participation in Randori and Shiai contest as much as possible and apply

several ranges and many variations of your techniques. Should you find itdifficult to harmonize your movements with those of your partners, try to

find sufficient time to review the fundamentals via the Kata study.

Sept 2009

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JUDO RON 21-Shintai With Kokoro_doc