A experienced student of judo will be skilled at safely implementing self defence techniques such as throwing, pinning, strangling and joint locking. Mastering of these techniques results in self-confidence and a healthy outlook on life.
Judo’s focus is on technical development, physical preparation and sharpening of spirit. Unlike other martial arts and their sparring, Judo is different, in that you’ll regularly “wrestle”, pushing your limits to 100% intensity during Randori (practice fighting) and do so with minimal risk of injury.
In Judo you will use throwing techniques to take your opponent down and learn how to secure a dominant position on the ground. Through this experience, your child will be utilising their body to the utmost level, this is provided by being upright/standing and learning how to grab and ‘grip fight’’, learning to break away from clinches and re-engage on their terms, to then move their opponent and throw them (very tiresome).
The art of Judo will teach your child life lessons of respect, courage, discipline and provides a platform for them to experience both physical and mental challenges in a safe environment.
For more info on ‘Why judo is better for kids than other martial arts?’ check out the blog page.
Age is just a number… At Judo Matsu we believe in the softer application of learning Judo, with the addition of learning how to breakfall you will find the techniques can be executed and received gently. In our warm-ups and Judo specific exercises, all of them have progressions and regressions, one can easily work within their limits. We believe Judo is a lifelong pursuit and all plan to be actively engaged in Judo right into our 70s.
Judo provides a great base for special awareness, learning to feel out a conflict situation and how to get into a dominant position. The essence of Judo is to bypasses the need for an overly complex guard passing game by using throws to land in a position of dominance. The person that controls the throwing space controls the following ground exchange. Understanding this will help MMA fighters have more control between being on their feet and the ground.
Being out of shape is not an obstacle in starting Judo. Through training in Judo seeking fitness is easy, as Judo allows one to without thinking about it, work on all aspects of fitness. In the Dojo one can be creative and learn new skills whilst benefiting from building a strong, healthy mind and body. Becoming “Judo Fit” will happen naturally as long as you make a commitment to attend classes regularly. Doing Randori (practice fighting) one will quickly see the fitness required to be proficient at the art and with regular practice this proficiency will be achieved.
Judo is an effective way of defending oneself. Throwing and grappling techniques learnt in Judo can be the answer to removing oneself from a threatening physical situation. The regular practice of Judo teaches one to be able to think through this process and respond quickly and accurately to the threatening situation.
When starting out or attending a free trial, please bring along a water bottle, towel, and a change of clothes to train in.
The clothing we suggest is modest clothes you can move around in easily and clothes that you don’t mind being potentially pulled or stretched – loose t-shirt and pants.
We will also have a few judo gi’s to loan if they are your size.
In judo we use a particular type of gi, it generally is thicker than other martial art gi’s. If you have a BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) gi you are welcome to wear this in our classes.
Judo Matsu does sell gi’s at a very reasonable price. We can supply gi’s for both kids, right through to tall or larger adults, starting from $60.
It is expected that you come earlier to the class to warm up. There will always be some room on the mat for you, even if there is another class on, to warm up with a personal stretch or rehab routine.
It is also customary that if it is the first session of the day, you should assist to lay mats and coming in earlier to help with this is always much appreciated; plus good for warming up too.
Other class expectations are outlined in the Judo Matsu Dojo Rules.
We always encourage onlookers. The hall we train in will have space for visitors to sit and watch the class.
Adults: white – yellow – orange – green – blue – brown – black.
Gradings will be done periodically (more frequently for kids/youth). The greater the commitment to your judo practice, the higher your chances are of being reviewed for a higher grade.
Generally, local competitions have a minimum grade of orange belt, and for national level a green belt is required.
We suggest a minimum of two sessions per week. Three is ideal, as like anything the body needs to adapt to new movements and stimuli.
See Membership Policy.
Yes – See Membership Policy and then fill out a Suspension Form.
See Membership Policy and then fill out a Cancellation Form.
All our members (inc. foreign citizens) through signing up with Judo Mastu, will be comprehensively insured. This is through the Judo Federation of Australia in collaboration with V Insurance Group – for more information, click here.
The following insurance policies automatically form part of membership:
Rest assured you or your child will be adequately covered.