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UMN Judo Club
Head Coach: Eric Shellum, 7th
Dan
What is
Judo
You may already know that judo is a martial art originally
created in Japan. What separates judo from other martial
arts like karate or tae kwon do, however, is that judo is
designed specifically with sport competition in mind.
Whereas sparring in other martial arts generally requires
use of pads and other protective equipment or light contact
(pulling of punches or kicks), judo techniques can be
performed at full speed and full force while maintaining
safety.
Judo in Japanese means "the gentle way," and is known as
such because many of the techniques in judo rely on giving
way to the force of your opponent. Don't be fooled, however,
by the term "gentle." Judo is an intense sport, a wonderful
form of exercise, and can be adapted to serve as effective a
powerful form of self-defense. |
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Eric
Shellum - Head Coach
Rank:
Sichidan (7th Dan) USMA
Rokudan (6th Dan) USJA |
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Judo techniques include throws, the most
spectacular and recognizable elements of judo, as well as grappling
techniques such as pins, chokes and arm locks. Perhaps most
importantly, judoka must learn to fall properly. Judo falling
techniques not only protect a judoka's precious internal organs from
the powerful throws of efficacious opponents, but are also extremely
useful when rollerblading, biking, free-style walking, curling, or
hurdling fences.
Judo was founded by Dr. Jigoro Kano in
1882. In creating judo, Kano drew techniques from jujitsu that could
be used safely in sport competition and that also subscribed the
principle of seiryoku zenyo, meaning maximum efficiency through
minimum effort. According to this principle, all judo techniques are
best performed when the desired effect is produced with the minimal
possible expenditure of effort.
Along with seiryoku zenyo, Kano's other
underlying principle of judo is jita kyoei-mutual benefit and
welfare.
So
you want to be a judoka...
You're welcome to come and watch
first, but we highly recommend that you get out on the mat and try
your throwing and falling skills. For this, you'll probably want to
wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt, or anything sturdy with long legs
and sleeves that you don't mind getting torn.
If you decide to stick around, and you most
assuredly will, you'll want to buy a judogi or gi. These can be
purchased online or at some local martial arts shops and start at
about $50.
If you just can't wait and want to get your
gi right away, here's some things to note:
- Any judogi will work, but don't get a
gi designed for another martial art (say, karate) because
judogis are made to withstand the abuse a lot of grabbing and
pulling that is unique to judo. Judogis also have loose sleeves
for easy gripping.
- If you already own a gi from another
martial art, you'd still probably be better off wearing a cheap
sweatshirt until you buy a judogi. A gi designed for striking
arts will likely rip. The pants should be okay, though.
- Gis most commonly come in white and
blue (though they can be purchased in other colors for those
with more lavish tastes). Your first should be white, even if
Labor Day has already passed.
- The washing instructions on the gi are
important! A gi will shrink in warm watter; it will shrink a
lot. Unless you want this, wash it in cold water and always hang
dry. Never wash your belt.
Back to Last Page
TRAINING
LOCATION
University of
Minnesota Judo
Club
E-Mail:
Home
Page:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~judoclub
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04/19/06
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