Stallion Springs Judo Club classes are held at the Stallion Springs Rec Center on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Head Sensei: John Oglesby.

Additional information, email: oglesbyjd@hotmail.com

The March 2012 issue of USJA's Growing Judo

Introduction to Judo

History

Stallion Springs PAL Judo Club began in January 1998 as the Tehachapi Valley Judo Club.  In 2003, it became part of the Stallion Springs Police Activities League (PAL) program and has been in the current location since the gym was opened in 2006. The club has produced four black belts; placed at the Nationals and California state championships; and won several Gold medals the the Silver State (NV) championships.

 Stallion Judo is a USJA club (United States Judo Association)

What is Judo?

Judo is an internationally recognized sport and the first martial art to be accepted into the Olympic Games in 1964. 

Judo is a relatively inexpensive activity that can be practiced by almost anyone, recreationally at the club level, or as a competitive sport. Judo is an excellent form of exercise for all ages allowing the individual to set their own pace and limitations. Judo is a martial art and fighting sport, but the combination of carefully selected techniques and strict rules limit the possibility of injury. Beginners are taught to roll and fall correctly before being taught how to throw or grapple. So while judo can be practiced at any age, and every effort is made to make it a safe and enjoyable activity, it is still a contact sport where minor bumps and bruises are inevitable. 

 As a competitive sport, judo offers the opportunity to progress from local and state tournaments to national and international competition. With diligent training, and an aptitude for judo, it takes about a year to begin competing at the local level. At tournaments competitors are divided by age, weight and skill level. There are divisions for juniors (5 to 12 years), intermediates (13 to 16 years), seniors (17+ years) and masters (40+ and 50+ years).  

A judo player is called a judoka; the uniform is a judogi; the training hall is a dojo; and the instructor is addressed as Sensei. The belt colors run white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, black.

The Benefits of Judo

Apart from being a martial art, judo is an excellent form of physical training that balances core strength with speed, agility and flexibility. Discipline, self-confidence and respect for others are also key elements of judo training. 

For beginners and junior judokas, aged 5 to 16 years, judo develops concentration, balance and coordination in a safe and controlled environment. It also helps to build confidence through learning new physical skills, such as rolling, falling, throwing and grappling.      

Even though judo has no striking or kicking techniques, it is still a viable form of self defense. More importantly, judo develops a level of self-confidence and situational awareness that helps in recognizing and then avoiding confrontations. 

Judo Knowledge

Judo was developed in Japan, in 1882, by Dr. Jigoro Kano, a progressive educator and sportsman. His goal was to turn the fighting art of ju jitsu into a sport with broad appeal.

His first school (dojo) was the Kodokan, which is in Tokyo, and has over a million visitors each year.

Kodokan Judo has several underpinning principles and philosophies emphasizing moral and spiritual development through physical training. These include “maximum efficiency – minimum effort” and “mutual welfare and benefit.” 

Even though judo grew out of ancient martial arts, modern judo has embraced the latest advances in sports physiology, physical education, coaching, and teaching methodologies. Grassroots judo is managed by two national bodies, the United States Judo Association (www.USJA-judo.org) and the United States Judo Federation (www.USJF.com). The US National Judo Team is managed by USA Judo (www.usjudo.org), and international competition by the International Judo Federation (IJF). 

Judo Unleashed is the book we have adopted as out text book for Stallion Judo. Highly recommended and a big help when it comes time to study for grading and promotion.Next grading in early March 

Available from Amazon.com $12.37 
Judo Unleashed: Essential Throwing & Grappling Techniques for Intermediate to Advanced Martial Artists

For more information about judo, go to www.JudoInfo.com or one of the above web pages..