About Judo

‘The Gentle Way’

Based on the principles of maximum efficiency, minimum effort, Judo is a modern martial art. It combines throwing, grappling and striking techniques into a system of self-defence. Judo is also an ideal form of physical exercise. It provides an intense cardiovascular workout, and improves stamina, strength, flexibility and coordination. Because of its emphasis on sparring (randori), judo always provides it practitioners with new challenges. Come and try judo in Oxford at OMAA!

Benefits of Judo

Improved physical fitness
Judo is an excellent form of exercise. It combines learning techniques and stances with sparring. This makes for an invigorating cardiovascular workout which helps to build stamina, strength and flexibility. Sparring also improves balance, posture and coordination.

Increased confidence and self esteem
Judo teaches important self defence skills and techniques, which are based on using your opponents’ strength and energy against them. These skills give the practitioner confidence and improve self esteem.

Moral philosophy
Judo is not just a system of exercise or even self defence, Kano incorporated a code of ethics into his art, making judo a ‘do’ or way of life. Practicing judo instils respect, modesty and politeness in its adherents. It also encourages discipline and self-control. While these attributes are useful during a match, their true benefits lie in everyday life.

Come and experience the benefits of judo in Oxford at OMAA today!

Judo skills and techniques

A typical judo class in Oxford at OMAA begins with a brief warm up including running and stretching. The instructor will then teach the class one or two new stances, demonstrating and breaking down each technique for the class. Students then spar with others of a similar skill level in supervised matches.

Ukemi (break-falls)
A portion of each class is devoted to practicing break falls, so that the throwing techniques can be practiced without sustaining injury. There are four distinct types: rear break-falls, side break-falls, front break-falls and rolling break-falls.

Nage-waza (throwing techniques)
There are two main types of throws: standing techniques and sacrificing techniques. The standing techniques are then further subdivided depending on where the power behind the throw originates: hand techniques, hip techniques and foot and leg techniques. There sacrifice throws are categorised as either rear or side.

Katame-waza (grappling techniques)
Judo comprises of three main grappling techniques: holding or pinning techniques, strangleholds or chokeholds and joint techniques. These are deployed to force your opponents’ submission.

Atemi-waza (striking techniques)
These are not used in competitive judo but are still practiced during training. The striking techniques are used to disable an opponent with a strike to a vital point.

History of Judo

Judo was established as a school of martial arts by Jigaro Kano in the 1880s. Having previously studies the declining art of ju-jutsu, Kano wanted to reinvigorate and modernise Japanese martial arts. To gain acceptance for his new school, Kano and his representatives travelled around Japan giving demonstrations and lectures on the new method. In 1886 Judo became a government-approved sport, after a team of 15 men defeated all of their opponents. It soon spread around the world and was introduced to Britain in 1899. Judo first became an Olympic sport in 1964, but was initially dropped in 1968. After protests, the sport was reintroduced. Women’s judo became an official medal event in 1992.