Judo, translated into English means gentle way. It has its origins in Japan, where in 1882, Jigoro Kano began the first judo school, or dojo, calling it the Kodokan. Judo is a system of throws, armlocks and choke holds designed to overwhelm your opponent while standing or grappling. As you progress through the belt ranks, the techniques become more complex and intricate. The progression of belt ranks is white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown and black.
Learning
As the judoka, or one who studies judo, rises up through the different belt ranks, not only must he be familiar with the throws designated for that particular colored belt, but he also must continue to practice the throws he learned while at the lower belt ranks. For instance, if you have attained the rank of orange belt, you must learn the techniques required for your green belt and continue to practice the required techniques for your orange and yellow belts.
Throws
In judo, all techniques are learned in Japanese. The reason is if you travel to a country where you do not speak the language, but want to continue with your judo training, you will be able to understand the instructor due to the consistency of the judo language. However, knowing the English translation will assist with your learning. The throws required for an orange belt are kosoto gari -- minor outer reaping, kouchi gari -- minor inner reaping, koshi garuma -- neck wheel, tsurikomi goshi -- lifting pulling hip, okuriashi harai -- following foot sweep, tai otoshi -- body drop, harai goshi -- hip wheel, and uchi mata -- inner thigh.
Grappling
There are different elements to the grappling techniques of judo. They include hold downs, also known as pins, choking or strangulation and armlocks. Certain grappling techniques are a requirement for someone to attain their orange belt rank. The techniques required for orange belt are kata gatame -- shoulder hold, ushiro-kesa gatame -- reverse scarf hold, hadaka jimi -- naked choke, okeri eri jimi -- sliding collar choke, ude garami -- entangled armlock, ude hishigi ude gatami -- straight-arm armlock, and waki gatami -- body lock.
Terminology
Since most judo instruction is in Japanese, it is incumbent upon the judoka to know the meaning of certain elements of the terminology. Aside from the throws, hold downs, chokes and armlocks, someone attempting to qualify for his orange belt should know the following words: kiai -- power shout, tori -- one performing the throw, uki -- one being thrown, kazushi -- breaking your opponent's balance, obi -- belt, ukemi -- breakfall, sensei -- instructor, hajime -- begin, matai -- stop, and rai -- bow.
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