People take up judo for a wide variety of
reasons - to get fit, to make friends, to learn self defence, to become more
confident, to take part in a competitive sport, or just to have a great time!
Judo is a fun and safe sport suitable for people of
all ages. Once you start learning judo, you find that, as your fitness levels
and co-ordination improve, your confidence increases, and you become more
disciplined and organised.
Etiquette
Judo is a Japanese sport, with its own
traditions and ways of doing things. Experienced judoka usually display the
mannerisms and courtesy of the art in everyday life. Different clubs display different levels of
etiquette (or ground rules). However, respect for instructors and other judo
players should never be compromised.
As a Japanese sport, all judo players adopt and respect Japanese
traditions. One of these is the bow, or "rei". An appropriate
bow should be used on entering and leaving the hall where judo is practiced
(the "dojo"), when stepping onto or off the mat ("tatami"),
and at the start and end of every training session, and before and after any
contest. It is also considered polite to bow when being presented with an award
or medal.
Other important rules that need to be obeyed to help you practice judo safely
and get on with others on the mat include:
- Always
asking permission from your instructor ("Sensei") to go
on or off the mat or to be excused from any exercise.
- Do not
get onto the mat unless you have been given permission by the instructor -
line up at the edge of the mat and wait quietly.
- Footwear MUST be worn off the mat at all times - and
when walking between the changing rooms and the mat you should be wearing
either
zori (a
type of Japanese "slipper") or similar footwear like flip-flips
- much easier to get on and off than trainers - and safer to leave at the
side of the mat should anyone accidentally fall on them!
- Footwear
MUST NOT be worn on the mat. Don't forget to leave your footwear nearly at
the side of the mat - line your zori so that the heels are together and
touching the edge of the mat.
- Finger
and toe nails MUST be kept short and clean - you don't want to scratch
your partner, and it is extremely uncomfortable to catch and pull back
your nail on a judo jacket.
- Your
judo suit ("judo gi") MUST be kept clean. Make sure it
fits properly - ask your instructor to check that the jacket and trousers
are the right length, particularly if you have gone through a growth spurt
just before entering a competition.
If you follow these
rules, you won't go far wrong, and you will find it much easier to get on with
others on the mat. Remember an important part of judo is learning to respect
other people both on and off the mat.
