Judo Games

Below is a list of games that can be used as part of general training for judo. They are not in any real order, so, you can pick the ones that would be best for what you are teaching. This is by no means a complete list of games that can be played to aid judo, so if you have any other games that are helpful to judo training, as well as being fun to play, then why not mail them to us at games@katsumushi.ndo.co.uk and we shall see if it can be added to the list. Please also e-mail us if you have used these games and have found them fun as well as helpful.

Bull Dog How To Play Skills Gained All judoka kneel at one end of the tatami, with one (or more, depending on the number of judoka) catchers, starting in the middle facing the rest. Upon the call hajime, the judoka crawl to the other end of the tatami, while the catcher(s) try to turn as many over, and hold them into osaekomi for the count of 10, as possible. Once they have been held, they can either help the catchers, or they can be out and keep the same catchers. The winner is the last one caught and if another game is played the first catcher. This games teaches many things about ne waza. Firstly, for the catcher, how to obtain a hold down, and maintain it on an active opponent. As for those being caught, it teach them how to avoid hold downs, and try escapes if they are caught in a hold. Sweep It Away How To Play Skills Gained All judoka start in a ring, and grips the upper sleeve (between shoulder and elbow) of the person either side of them. Upon the call hajime, each player tries to throw one of the people next to them using only foot sweeps. When someone has been thrown, the game stops and that person is out and the game continues. If the ring is broken, the game is also stopped and the two that broke it are out before the game carries on. The game progresses like this until there are only two remaining, at which time the players can take a normal left or right grip, but still can only use foot sweeps. The winner is the last one left. This game teaches using foot sweeps correctly. It also teaches getting grips and using them to break an opponents balance at the point of sweeping. In addition to this, it's great fun to play. Press-up Wars How To Play Skills Gained All the judoka get in to pairs with someone about the same size and weight. Both judoka get into a press-up position in front of each other, with the arms directly under the shoulders, and the feet together. Upon the call hajime, you try to take away the arms of your opponent or pull them off balance. When they fall flat on their front, they have lost. This game is mainly fun, but it does help to build up strength in the upper half of the body. It can also help to teach grips when pull an opponent over. Judo Rugby How To Play Skills Gained This game can be played with any type of ball, depending on those taking part (soft one for young children, or a harder one for older ones and adults). All judoka are divided into two teams that are roughly equal in size and weight, and start at opposite ends of the tatami with one foot on the edge. The ball is placed in the middle of the two teams. Upon the call hajime, both teams try to get the ball, and touch it on the other teams edge. In order to stop the other team doing this, you can hold them back from getting the ball by getting them into a hold, or if with seniors, using an armlock or strangle to get a submission. If you submit from any of these, then you are out of the game until you have returned to your end of the tatami and touched the edge. In order to get the ball from one end to the other, you can pass it to your team members in any direction by rolling it along the floor. Once a team has scored a point, the game stops, and the ball is placed half a mats width away from the scoring team, and the game starts again with the teams at their end of the tatami. As with Bull Dog, this is a great help with ne waza. In addition to this, it can also be used to get a new group to work as a team and build up friendship. This is also a game full of fun. Catch A Tail How To Play Skills Gained All judoka remove their belts, fold them in half and place them in the back of their trousers, making sure that it does not touch the floor. Once the belt is in place, you are not allowed to touch it again until you are out of the game. Upon the call hajime, you try to get hold of someone elses belt (tail) while at the same time trying not to loose your own. Once your belt has been removed from your trousers, you are out of the game. With a large number of judoka, it can be played with two teams, trying to get all the tails from the other team. This game is useful in many sports, as it helps to teach that you should not turn your back on an opponent. It also helps to teach awareness of where people are around you, which can be important in ne waza.