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STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK

SSJ JudoStudent & Parent Handbook

WELCOME TO SSJ JUDO!I am glad you (and your child or children) have chosen to study judo; I hope you enjoy it deeply and for many years. It is a long and challenging path, but this is good, because it is also full of wonder and delight.

I believe you will find that our dojo is a special place where the best of traditional values and instructional principles are integrated with a lively spirit of continual learning to create an enjoyable and beneficial experience for all.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns; just as judo can’t be practiced alone, a dojo needs to maintain constant communication between sensei and students in order to thrive.

Sensei Gene Shin, Godan, Ph.D.

Email: [email protected]

Dojo #: 434.296.7404

Cell #: 434.531.2951

Website: www.ssjjudo.com.

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TABLE OF CONTENTSAbout Kodokan Judo........................................................................................................................3

Seiryoku Zen Yo, or, Maximum Efficiency, Minimum Effort....................................................3Jita Kyoei, or, Mutual Welfare and Benefit.................................................................................4

About SSJ Judo.................................................................................................................................5Membership......................................................................................................................................7

Requirements................................................................................................................................7Membership Fees..........................................................................................................................7Class Schedule & Attendance......................................................................................................7Student Absences:........................................................................................................................8Inclement Weather/Class Cancellation Policy.............................................................................8Good Dojo Manners: Practical Ritual..........................................................................................8

1. Focus and Respect.............................................................................................................82. Hygiene..............................................................................................................................83. Clothing.............................................................................................................................94. Noisy and Quiet.................................................................................................................95. For Parents:........................................................................................................................9

Medical Conditions and Emergencies........................................................................................101. Illness At Home...............................................................................................................102. Injury Or Illness At Practice............................................................................................103. Other Medical Conditions...............................................................................................10

Lost And Found..........................................................................................................................10Competition....................................................................................................................................11

1. Local Tournaments..........................................................................................................112. National and International Competition..........................................................................11

Promotion and Learning.................................................................................................................13Expectations and Experience......................................................................................................13Policies and Process...................................................................................................................14

1. Promotional Standards.....................................................................................................142. Developmental Theory (nage waza)................................................................................153. Promotional Process........................................................................................................15

Waiver and release of liability agreement to participate................................................................17Member Information......................................................................................................................18

Emergency Contact Information................................................................................................18Acknowledgement Sheet................................................................................................................19

Requirements..............................................................................................................................19Guidelines...................................................................................................................................19

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S S A L S H I N J O J U D O , L L C

ABOUT KODOKAN JUDOAlthough Dr. Jigoro Kano created judo in part to develop physical, mental and social harmony, he was motivated to do so by conflict. Kano was a frail boy and was often bullied as a child. His parents forbade him to study jujitsu and it wasn’t until he went away to university that he was able to do so. Even then, he was unable to find anyone who would teach a skinny young man who barely weighed a hundred pounds. After finally gaining access to a school, his first major teacher died and he had to find another one.

After studying jujitsu for several years, Dr. Kano decided it could be taught in a much more efficient manner, and became convinced that no matter what the object in self defense, “there should be one, all-pervading principle governing the whole field, and that principle should be the highest or most efficient use of mental and physical energy” (Kano, 1937, p. 10).

Determined to discover that all-pervading concept, Dr. Kano shifted the focus of self defense training from the mere practice of fighting to a study of the principles that make movement and technique practical and efficient. He called this approach Judo. Ju means “gentle” or “to give way.” Do is derived from the Chinese term, Tao, which means “Way” or “principle.” So, “Judo means the Way of gentleness, or of first giving way in order to ultimately to gain the victory” (p. 11). On that basis Dr. Kano established the Kodokan in 1882, which, literally translated, means “a school for studying the Way” with, “the Way being the concept of life itself” (p. 11).

SEIRYOKU ZEN YO, OR, MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY, MINIMUM EFFORT

Rather than one principle, Dr. Kano eventually discerned two upon which he based his “Gentle Way”. The first is the principle of “maximum-efficient use of mind and body”, which focused on the growth of individuals. “Today, I have come to believe that the aim should consist of making the body healthy, strong, and useful, giving due regard to mental and moral discipline” (1937, p. 20). Dr. Kano found that using the least effort possible determines efficiency, as exemplified by his idea of nonresistance:

Suppose we estimate the strength of a man is ten units, whereas my strength, less than his, is seven units. Then if he pushes me down with all his force, I shall certainly be pushed back or thrown down, even if I use all my strength against him. But if, instead of opposing him, I leave him unresisted, withdrawing my body just as much as he pushes, at the same time keeping my balance, he will naturally lean forward and lose his balance. (p. 8)

In accordance with his understanding of maximum efficiency, learning cannot be dictated forcefully; indeed, excessive pressure is counterproductive. Kano’s curricular theory, therefore resulted in the development of a very Taoist pedagogy, depending on the active involvement of students and teachers learning together, from each other, as in randori, or free practice.

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Randori is a competition between two persons using all the resources at their command and obeying the prescribed rules of Judo, both parties must always be on the alert, striving to detect the weak points of the opponent, and being ready to attack whenever opportunity permits. Such an attitude of mind in developing means of attack tends to make pupils earnest, sincere, thoughtful, cautious and deliberate in all his dealings. (1937, p. 28)

But Kano also points out that “you cannot win through overpowering your opponent, just as you cannot convince a person by force, because if you act contrary to principle, your opponent will never be convinced of defeat, no matter what brute strength you may have used” (1937, p. 31). How often might a teacher have seen this in class or experienced it himself? It doesn’t matter how loud or how forcefully someone insists on the righteousness of his argument; in fact, the louder he shouts, the less convincing he will be. It is only by using the least energy necessary that he make his case effectively, in getting others to accept it as reasonable. “This lesson…that suasion, not coercion is efficacious—which is so useful in everyday life—we may learn from randori” (Kano, 1937, p. 31). I have found that no amount of yelling or force helps anyone learn anything any faster. In fact, it makes learning difficult, if not impossible.

JITA KYOEI, OR, MUTUAL WELFARE AND BENEFIT

Learning from the student is a key element in Judo, and requires great sensitivity. Developing such sensitivity is what led Kano to articulate the second governing principle of Judo: “mutual welfare and benefit,” which dictates not only considerate behavior in the dojo, but in daily life. In practice, if a person plays without regard for his or her partners and is careless, rude or even causes them injury, he or she will quickly find no willing partners. In order to develop one’s own potential, one must practice with people, not on them.

This principal of maximum efficiency, when applied to the keying up or perfecting of social life, just as when applied to the coordination of mind and body—in the science of attack and defense—demands, first of all, order and harmony among its members, and this can only be attained through mutual aid and concession, leading to mutual welfare and benefit. (p. 34)

In this way judo is not simply a physical endeavor, but an active metaphor for exploring and illustrating the ”concept of life itself” (p. 11). “Once the real import of this principle is understood, it may be applied to all phases of life and activity, thereby enabling one to lead the highest and most rational life” (p. 34).

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ABOUT SSJ JUDOOne day, when I was a very young man, I was boasting about some small accomplishment in practice as young men do. My father heard and asked, “do you know how rice grows?” I did not. My father explained that “when it is young and green and inedible, rice grows very straight and tall. But when it is mature and ready to harvest, its head bows. Very humble. Remember this.”

And so I have. In Korean, my father’s language, Ssal means “rice”, and Shin Jo means “principle”. I established this “Rice Principle” dojo with the idea that judo

is best experienced as a practical study of fundamental principles. When practiced carefully over time this study nourishes the mind and body, resulting in a bountiful, mature understanding. That is why the rice plant is the symbol of my dojo.

However peaceful that image is, Judo is not a quiet discipline. Judo thrives on conflict, at every level of practice. Beginning with the tension between innocence and knowledge, through the dynamic between tori and uke, until the final struggle between ability and age. Conflict is the energy that drives us along the long path we call judo.

Nor is it a level path. It’s not nice and smooth and even. It’s very difficult. It is full of rocks, and often climbs a very steep grade. And that’s when it feels good. One day, when I was feeling discouraged at how little progress I felt I was making, my father told me that judo is like climbing a mountain. “Sometimes your development goes up and up,” he said, moving his hand at a sharp angle into the air, “and then suddenly you will stop improving, and you feel like this,” and his hand moved along a flat, horizontal line. “But if you keep practicing, soon you will go up and up again.” Today, I like to tell my students that Judo isn’t just a mountain, it’s a mountain range, and every technique, every throw, every pin, every choke is a new summit to climb.

Like mountain climbing, judo is physically, emotionally, and mentally stressful, and can be hazardous. We take every precaution to practice safely, but the value in training is inextricably linked to the quality of the challenge it presents. Training is only valuable if it helps you struggle against and overcome the inertia of your ignorance, of your physical inabilities, of your lack of focus and will. You will suffer scrapes and bruises, injuries and disappointments along the way, but such things are intrinsic to the struggle and conflict in life. Judo affords you a way to strive so that you can grow into your potential, to reach new levels of ability and competence.

Art is the activity wherein the human experience is explored and expressed. It is the attempt to resolve fundamental questions of being and beauty through acts of creation and expression. Art contributes to and illuminates the human experience. As martial artists, we do not work with paint, or clay, or metal; we work with material that is at once more colorful, more malleable, and yet tougher than steel. The human body is our sculpture, and the mind is our canvas.

Art is therefore at the core of Dr Kano’s original conception of the Kodokan or, school for studying the Way. As a Way, judo is not simply a physical endeavor, but an active metaphor for exploring and illustrating the ”concept of life itself” (p. 11), one’s own experience of being human. “Once the real import of this principle is understood, it may be applied to all phases of life and activity, thereby enabling one to lead the highest and most rational life” (p. 34). This is the art, in “martial art”, the study and shaping of one’s self in a deliberate and careful act of creative expression.



But what form will that expression take? One major path is through competition, but that is only one way, there is much more to be gained from judo than winning a medal or two. Much of my expertise derives from training for international competition and playing with Olympic and World Champions. Many of our young judoka are fine competitors, but I also have the honor to teach adults who do not need to compete with anyone other than themselves. This diversity of experiences has shown me the necessity of making room in my dojo for both coaching and teaching. On this basis, all have a place in my dojo who wish to study and train with integrity, respect, and enthusiasm.

The Way of Stories

The Way is in the writing,but it has never been written.

The Way is in the singing,but it has never been sung.

The Way is in the reading,but it has never been read.

The Way is in the doing,but it has never been done.

To follow the Way, you must write,but you can never express it.

To express the Way you must sing,but you can never give voice to it.

To give voice to the way you must read,but you will never hear it.

To hear the Way you must do,but you can never be done with it.

So,shall I give in to despair?

or,shall I lift my head up, and carry on?

Undoubtedly,the answer is yes, and therefore

the answer is no.

Does the day ask if it should rise?Does the night ask if it should fall?

Does your story ask if it should be told?

Can you avoid telling it? How do you answer?

Then that is your story.

And that is the Way.



MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

I. All members must pay membership fees on time and in full for any month in which practice is attended.

II. All members must read and sign a release form. Minors must have their parents’ or guardians’ signature to join.

III. All members must join the United States Judo Federation (USJF). This is an annual cost of $50.00 and may be done online at http://www.usjf.com/. All members must keep their registration current, and keep proof of membership on file at the dojo.

IV. All members must read this handbook and sign the acknowledgement sheet, indicating that they have read and agree to follow the rules and guidelines of SSJ Judo.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

Individual Fee

Total Monthly Fee

Qtrly Fee less 3% Discount

Annual Fee less 5%

DiscountIndividual $ 75.00 $ 75.00 $ 218.25 $ 855.002nd FM $ 70.00 $ 145.00 $ 421.95 $ 1,653.003rd FM $ 65.00 $ 205.00 $ 596.55 $ 2,337.004th FM $ 60.00 $ 265.00 $ 771.15 $ 3,021.005th FM $ 55.00 $ 310.00 $ 902.10 $ 3,534.00Add'l each $ 50.00

Membership fees are non-refundable, and are due by the 25th day of each month for the following month.

Please deposit payments in the steel payment box affixed to the wall on the left as you enter the front door. If you are paying cash, envelopes are provided; please be sure to write your name on the outside of the envelope, what you are paying for, and the amount of payment.

CLASS SCHEDULE & ATTENDANCE

Monday Wednesday Thursday SaturdayJuniors 6:00 – 7:00 6:00 – 7:00 6:00 – 7:00 2:00 – 3:00Adults 7:00 – 8:30 7:00 – 8:30 7:00 – 8:30 3:00 – 5:00

Students are encouraged and permitted to attend as many classes as possible. Sufficiently advanced juniors may request permission to attend adult classes.

Consistent attendance is vital to developing a solid base in judo. Twice a week is the minimum for beginners, and three times a week minimum for competitors. Students are expected to sign in to keep track of their attendance. It is helpful for planning purposes if I know what days you or your child will be practicing on a regular basis, although all students are welcome to come as often as possible.


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STUDENT ABSENCES:

When you know you (or your child) will be absent, please notify Sensei Shin at:

I. [email protected]

II. Dojo: 434.296.7404

III. Mobile: 434.531.2951

INCLEMENT WEATHER/CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY

If after-school activities are cancelled for Charlottesville City or Albemarle County school programs, there will be no judo class. I will do my best to communicate or confirm cancellations by posting notices on the website at www.ssjjudo.com. If I am unable to access the site, I will try to send out a group email.

GOOD DOJO MANNERS: PRACTICAL RITUAL

In today’s results-oriented, instant-gratification world, the idea of ritual can seem hopelessly antiquated. Who has the time for it? What purpose can they serve? Indeed, the very idea of a practical ritual seems self contradictory. And yet, in judo, each ritual is not only practical, but provides a critical link between physical training and moral development.

The first effect of ritual is to foster the appropriate mindset. In order to practice and learn effectively, all students must have the correct frame of mind, and approach the opportunity for training and study with focus and respect. This is why judo has retained specific traditions and rituals and is taught in Japanese.

1. Focus and Respect To foster such a mindset, this respect is traditionally expressed by bowing as students enter the dojo, and saying onei gaishimasu (please).

Students and sensei will also greet one another with a bow. During class, you bow whenever you approach someone to partner with them, and then again when you are finished.

As you leave the dojo, bow and say arigato gozaimashita (thank you).

2. Hygiene As a discipline that requires close physical contact, excellent personal hygiene is required to guard against the spread of skin ailments, fungal infection, etc.

It is always much more pleasant to practice with someone who is clean and fresh-smelling.

Particular care should be taken with hands and feet. Nails should be trimmed neatly, and any open cuts or wounds should be bandaged.



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3. Clothing A white or blue judo gi is required. Uniforms may be ordered through the school or purchased online.

Students will keep their gi’s clean and in good condition. Practicing in stained or malodorous clothing is unacceptable. It should fit well, and be in good repair without tears or holes.

You may purchase a patch with the dojo’s logo for $10.00. It may be worn on the left breast. Gi’s with silk-screened or other insignia that may mark the mat are not acceptable.

Female students must wear a crew neck t-shirt or other suitable top under their uwagi (jacket). Minimal articles such as sports bras or tank tops are unacceptable.

Everyone should wear zori or shoes when walking around off the mat at the dojo.

The full gi should not be worn outside the dojo. Doing so runs the risk of soiling the gi, and is needlessly showy. The gi pants may be worn to the dojo, but not the full uniform.

4. Noisy and Quiet Judo is not a quiet activity! There is a lot of noisy movement and yelling, laughter and sharp bangs as people hit the mat. Before class, it is perfectly ok for kids to be loud and boisterous and to engage in noisy play.

However, when the bell is rung, students are expected to collect their focus by lining up quickly and quietly, according to rank. Preparing to bow is the first step in beginning each lesson, and should be taken as an opportunity to ready one’s self to attend and learn.

The senior student will then give a series of commands:

Shomen ni, rei! (To the front, bow!)

Sensei ni, rei! (To the Teacher, bow!)

It is appreciated that any parents or spectators are also quiet during bow-in.

5. For Parents: I want everyone to enjoy judo in an environment that is safe and conducive to learning. To that end, I will strive to model the physical, mental, social, and emotional qualities I am trying to impart to my students according to the principles of judo. Accordingly, SSJ students are expected to:

Come to class prepared to learn and attend to instruction to the best of their ability.

Respect others and their property while at the dojo.

Conduct themselves in a safe manner for their own security as well as that of others.



Be responsible for their actions and the choices they make.

Open communication is essential. I will work directly with students and their parents to correct behavior that may be out of compliance with school rules, but if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child and judo, please feel free to talk directly with me; if it is too busy to do so before or after class sessions, please feel free to email or call me to arrange for a time to meet.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND EMERGENCIES

1. Illness At Home To prevent the spread of contagious disease, students should be symptom-free/fever-free for 24 hours without medication before coming to the dojo.

6. Injury Or Illness At Practice Parents are contacted as quickly as possible if a child becomes ill or injured during practice. If parents cannot be reached, I will attempt to contact the emergency number provided.

Attached to this handbook is an Emergency Contact Information Sheet. Please fill it out and return it immediately. Be sure to update your emergency contact information in case of changes.

7. Other Medical Conditions Please let me know if you or your child has any medical condition that could be affected by, or affect participation in judo. All such information will be kept in confidence, unless it is necessary for safety reasons to let other students know of the condition.

LOST AND FOUND

I have a box labeled “Lost & Found” in which I place clothing items that get left at the dojo. Feel free to look through it occasionally to see if any of your missing items are there.



COMPETITIONI have deliberately established that competition is not the primary focus of practicing judo at SSJ, and no student is required to compete. However, competition can provide a valuable focus and opportunity to learn. For this reason, I encourage my students to compete at whatever level they are able.

In Judo, competitions are called shiai, and have a strict set of rules that governs the contest and provides safeguards. For those who want to test their skills, Judo offers the opportunity for competition at all skill levels, from club to national tournaments, to the Olympic Games. There are separate weight divisions for men and women, and boys and girls.

1. Local Tournaments The primary benefit of local competitions is to get out of the dojo and test yourself and your training against others. It is a chance to play against completely new people, at a level of intensity beyond the ordinary randori in the dojo.

Local tournaments are held periodically throughout the year in the Washington D.C. area, and take place over one or two days on the weekend.

Divisions are determined by age, weight, and gender. A player can expect to have at least two or three matches, depending on the size of the division.

A tournament for juniors will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Registration typically costs $25.00 to $35.00.

Practicing a minimum of twice a week will prepare you for this level of competition. The average skill level at local tournaments is moderate, but these events are also used by more serious competitors to prepare for higher level tournaments, such as nationals, the U.S. Open, and others.

8. National and International Competition The primary purpose of competing at this level is develop one’s skills to the utmost in order to play against the best people in the country or the world. This level of competition requires the highest investment of time, money, and effort.

National level competitors will need to register with a second national organization, USA Judo, at an annual cost of $50.00. This is the national Olympic Affiliate, and holds the authority for sanctioning the primary point-scoring competitions. Seniors who wish be nationally ranked in order to try out for the Olympic, Pan-American, or World team must be members. Juniors who wish to play at the Junior Olympics, the Junior U.S. Open, or the Scholastic Nationals must be members.

Tournaments can be held anywhere in the country, and usually require several days travel and competition time.



Registration can run anywhere from $35.00 to $80.00. You can also expect significant travel expenses, including air fare, hotel, and food.

High level competitions are held throughout the year, but the most prestigious and important events tend to be concentrated in the spring and summer.

In addition to tournaments, serious competitors should also expect to attend clinics. These provide the opportunity to work with and learn from wide range of players and teacher, and to expand your understanding and practical ability. Clinics may be held locally or require travel, including over seas, and will incur costs commensurate with travel and level of instructions.

Training for this level requires great effort. In order to compete successfully, players must practice a minimum of six to eight hours a week, with this time increasing to ten to twelve hours per week during peak training.

As with any sport with weight divisions, careful and healthy weight management is important. The goal is not necessarily to be in the lightest division possible, but to find the weight at which you can compete most effectively, without compromising fitness, health, strength, or endurance.



PROMOTION AND LEARNINGEXPECTATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

There is an old saying, “True judoka do not follow rank. Rank follows true judoka.” As in many martial arts, judo has a rank system; every student begins at the lowest rank, and one’s achievements and abilities are recognized through promotions. There are several reasons for this; too many to go into here, but there are two critical points to address.

Most people outside of judo, (and far too many people in it), think of a black belt as a “master,” and this is misleading. It should not be one’s ambition simply to attain a black belt; what is important is the knowledge, skill, and discipline one develops over time through long and arduous study that gives a black belt meaning. But what does “long and arduous” mean? How much time does it take?

In one old story, a young man goes to a renowned martial arts teacher, determined to become a master himself. The student promises to be devoted, and asks the old teacher, “how long will it take?”

“At least ten years,” the teacher says.

This does not please the erstwhile student. “But I will study day and night! I will practice every technique without fail!” The student protests.

“Oh, well in that case,” the teacher replies, “it will take you twenty years.”

The first point is illustrated by the young man in the story. He thinks that mastery is simply a matter of acquiring technique; A equals B. It’s a common thought; learn enough, and you will be a black belt.

But what does earning the right to wear a black belt mean? And how does one earn it? While technical skill is important, I have found that no matter how good I have gotten at some aspect of judo, I have by no means mastered judo; there is always more to learn. I know I certainly did not feel like a “master” when I earned my black belt, nor do I today.

In fact, what a black belt actually signifies is that you have become a serious student. You have acquired enough information, developed enough knowledge and discipline to ask good questions, to explore what judo can offer. It means you are ready to really begin learning.

What the young man does not understand is that his focus is misplaced. He wants to be a master, and he wants to be one now. But mastery is not the goal, learning is, and not only is there no shortcut to knowledge, but any attempt to rush the process will in fact extend it.

This is why the term “master” is not used in judo. Instead, we use the term sensei, which means “teacher,” or, “one who has gone before.” As an experienced judoka, I have been walking this path for a long time, and while I may be able to guide you along the way, each person’s journey is unique, and is defined by his or her effort, character, and capacity for learning.

The second point of a promotional structure is to enable one to learn in an orderly fashion. Ranks are like mile markers; they help you track how far you have come. This is especially helpful in the beginning, particularly the very young. Children often need the extrinsic motivation colored belts and place in line provide to inspire their interest and focus their efforts.



But a standardized promotional process also allows for a consistent methodology of assessment and marking development, which, as any teacher will tell you, is the most difficult aspect of any educational process. It is so difficult, that there is in fact no universally recognized standard for promotional development, and ranks may be awarded quite widely for different reasons and at various intervals.

To illustrate, in my own case, I grew up in my father’s dojo in the seventies, starting formal classes when I was about six years old. During this time, my father was president of the Chicago yudanshakai (black belt organization), and a highly respected sensei. To avoid any hint of favoritism, he did not promote me along with the other kids. In fact, I remained a white belt for eleven years, and was competing successfully as a seventeen year old against black belts. The yudanshakai felt that this was not a Good Thing, and told my father that he had to promote me. So he said that if I won junior nationals he would promote me to brown belt. It was another three years before he let me test for black belt.

As a teacher, this experience gives me a couple of things to consider. On one hand, I learned to be very patient about rewards. The story of the young man who is impatient about waiting ten years inspires very little sympathy from me, but I have to recognize that most people probably would not want to work for 14 years for a black belt.

On the other hand, I did not learn to think in very clear terms about development; promotions were vague things that other people talked about, and the criteria were not really relevant to me. I was more interested in how well I could throw someone.

Based on that experience, I have developed the following promotional methodology in order to support each student in his or her development, while enabling individuals to take responsibility for developing and meeting reasonable learning expectations. In other words, the promotional framework should help each student map out what to learn and when, but the pace of learning and timing of promotions is dependant on the student’s drive and effort.

POLICIES AND PROCESS

1. Promotional Standards At SSJ Judo, we conform to the standards established by the Shufu yudanshakai, or Capitol black belt association, which happens to be one of the oldest and most conservative in the country. I have chosen to participate in Shufu’s promotional process for the following reasons;

A. These standards have been developed with the venerable guidance of some of America’s most senior Judoka.

B. Being tested outside the dojo provides a neutral, objective basis for promotion, and validates what we are doing at SSJJ.

C. Doing so allows ranks to be recognized internationally, and certified at the Dan level by the Kodokan.

Shufu promotional standards are set forth in separate documents for both juniors and seniors, and may be found on the SSJJ website under the “Documents” tab.




Shufu holds promotional testing and tournaments every six months. To prepare for these events, I expect each student to strive to improve continually according to these standards.

This means that each student is responsible for ascertaining what he or she is expected to learn for the next rank, and to develop a timetable for doing so in consultation with me.

9. Developmental Theory (nage waza) 1,000 reps to get comfortable. 10,000 reps to master.

Technical development may be broadly described in two stages: comfort and mastery. As I said above, mastery is a very long process, and so is not required for promotion, particularly before shodan, or 1st degree black belt. What is expected is that students acquire enough information and experience as a basis on which to develop mastery. In other words, you should become comfortable enough with a technique in order to really study it. The minimum standard for attaining that comfort level is 1,000 uchikomi.

Of all the waza, nage waza is the most difficult to acquire, so it is used as the primary measure of technical proficiency. Osaekomi-, shime-, and kansetsu-waza are to be studied and acquired in the time frame it takes to complete the uchikomi required for the nage waza of each rank.

10. Promotional Process Combined, 1 and 2 provide a structure the student may use to base, schedule, and document his own development, according to the following process.

A. Download the relevant promotional standards

i. Look up what you need to know for your next promotion.

ii. Consult with me about any questions you may have.

B. Train!

i. Do the required number of uchikomi for each nage waza for the next rank

1. Jr. gokyu through advanced yonkyu: 500 reps

2. Jr. sankyu through ikkyu: 750 reps

3. Senior ranks: 1,000 reps

ii. Exceptions

1. I understand that people learn at various rates. Some may be comfortable with a given technique sooner than others. Therefore, if you feel you are ready, you may petition for promotion with less than the required uchikomi, but if your demonstration of any technique is unacceptable, I will deny the petition and you will have to restart and complete the uchikomi process for that technique to resubmit.



2. If you throw 5 different shiai opponents of equal or higher rank for ippon with a given throw, this will count as proof of learning that throw.

a. The throw must be witnessed or video recorded.

b. Record the event, date, and type of throw in your uchikomi log.

iii. During the time it takes you to complete the uchikomi, practice each kata, osaekomi, shime, and kansetsu waza required for each rank.

C. Document your training. For your convenience, a spreadsheet template is available on the website.

i. Keep an uchikomi log of each technique, including:

1. Name of technique

2. Date practiced

3. Number of uchikomi on each date

ii. Keep a video record of each nage waza at:

1. Outset

2. 1K reps

D. There is no deadline for completion. The student progresses at own rate. Once the required reps of all relevant techniques have been logged, student may petition for promotion. Petition requirements include:

i. Formal oral and written request for review

ii. Completed uchikomi logs

iii. Competition record (if relevant)

iv. Video recordings of nage waza

E. I will consider your petition. This process will include:

i. Review of request

ii. Review of records

iii. Demonstration of selected nage, osaekomi, shime and kansetsu waza.

F. Upon satisfactory review of promotional requirements. I will recommend the promotion at the next available event.

G. Attend promotional test.

H. Celebrate successful promotion!


WARNING!WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT TO PARTICIPATE

In consideration of being permitted to participate in any way, including travel to and from, any Judo tournament, practice, clinic, related events, of Virginia Judo, Inc., United States Judo, Inc., United States Judo Federation, and United States Judo Association, United States Sports (a.k.a. Olympic) Development Foundation, and/or Ssal Shin Jo Judo, LLC, I hereby:1. Acknowledge that I am familiar with the sport of Judo and understand the rules governing the sport of Judo.

2. Agree that prior to participating, I will inspect the mats, equipment, facilities, competition pools or divisions and the elimination or scoring system to be used, and if I believe anything is unsafe or beyond my capability, I will immediately advise my coach, supervisor, and/or a tournament official of such conditions and refuse to participate.

3. Acknowledge and fully understand that I will be engaging in a contact sport that might result in serious injury, including permanent disability or death, and severe social and economic losses due to not only my own actions, inactions, or negligence, but also to the actions, inactions, or negligence of others, the rules of the sport of Judo, or conditions of the premises or of any equipment used. Further, I acknowledge that there may be other risks not known to me or not reasonably foreseeable at this time.

4. Knowing the risks involved in the sport of Judo, I assume all such risks and accept personal responsibility for the damages following such injury, permanent disability, or death.

5. Release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue Ssal Shin Jo Judo, LLC, Virginia Judo, Inc., United States Judo, Inc., United States Judo Federation, United States Judo Association, together with their affiliated clubs, their respective administrators, directors, agents, coaches and other employees or volunteers of the organization, even officials, medical personnel, other participants, theirs parents, guardians, supervisors and coaches, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and is applicable, owners, lessors and lesees pf premises used to conduct the event, all of whom are hereafter referred to as “releasee”, from any and all claims, demands, losses, or damages on accounts of injury, including permanent disability and death and damage to property, caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the releasee or otherwise to the fullest extent permitted by law.

I have read the above warning, waiver and release, understand that I give up substantial rights by signing it, and knowing this, sign it voluntarily. i agree to participate knowing the risk and conditions involved and do so entirely of my own free will. I affirm that I am at least 18 years of age, or, if I am under 18 years of age, I have obtained the consent of my parent/guardian as evidenced by their signature below.

Participant’s printed name Participant’s signature Date

FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF PARTICIPANTS OF MINORITY AGE(UNDER 18 AT TIME OF REGISTRATION)

This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian with legal responsibility for this participant, do consent and agree to his/her release, as provided above, of all the Releasees, and for myself, my heirs, assigns, and next of kin, I release and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees from any and all liabilities incident to my minor child’s involvement or participation in these programs as provided above, even if arising from negligence, to the fullest extent permitted by law. I have instructed the minor participant as to the above warnings and conditions and their ramifications.

Parent/Guardian’s printed name Parent/Guardian’s signature Date

MEMBER INFORMATION

Name Birth date

USJI # USJF #

Gender Date joined

Rank

Address Phone (C)

City Phone (H)

State, zip Phone (W)

Email

Medical Information

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Name Relation

Address Phone (C)

City Phone (H)

State, Zip Phone (W)

Email

Name Relation

Address Phone (C)

City Phone (H)


Email

Name Relation

Address Phone (C)

City Phone (H)


Email

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SHEETI have read and agree to the membership requirements and guidelines set forth in this handbook. This includes the following:

REQUIREMENTS

I. I agree to pay membership fees on time and in full for any month in which practice is attended.

II. I have read and signed a release form. Minors must have their parents’ or guardians’ signature to join.

III. I will join the United States Judo Federation (USJF). This is an annual cost of $50.00 and forms may be accessed online at http://www.usjf.com/. I will keep all membership registration current, and keep proof of membership on file at the dojo.

GUIDELINES

I. I will come to practice on time, and prepared to learn to the best of my ability.

II. I will keep my judo gi clean and in good repair.

III. I will respect my fellow students, my dojo, and my sensei at all times, and show that respect properly.

IV. I will keep clear and accurate records of my progress, set high goals, and strive to meet those goals.

Participant’s printed name Participant’s signature Date

Parent’s printed name Parent’s signature Date

http://www.usjf.com/