Following various comments on My Drugs In Sport post I have decided to continue the chain of thought this morning.
Given the death and the speculation around the death of Michael Jackson this week I want to talk about addiction. We often think of drug addicts as ‘Crack Heads’ or Heroin Users, the guy who smokes a joint of weed ever night, but it goes beyond this.
The speculation is MJ became addicted to prescription pain killers following the Pepsi hair incident, something that he stated to use as a crutch and it is this small piece of the world of addiction and drugs dependence I want to discuss.
Am I an addict? Am I addicted to adrenalin....I need to get a good buzz every week, be that through training, Windsurfing, a judo competition or performing on stage. I am dependant on tea – I can’t function in the morning without a good strong cuppa, and I don’t drink Alcohol but anyone who has seen me study knows the amount of diet coke I drink.
I am an aware of these things – I know I have an addictive personality but I manage it – I don’t find myself needing to feed these beyond what might be deemed ‘normal’ or high usage. Everybody in my opinion has an addiction something you can’t do without, it might be a daily routine that just makes you feel right........think what’s yours.
How many players do you see strapping a joint to support it during rehabilitation who then 10 weeks latter are still strapping it or putting on a knee brace – just in case. If it is needed this long it needs medical and rehabilitation work.
I know a former international who now takes an anti-inflammatory over the counter medication before competitions – just in case! I know a number of young players who at 16 are taking creatine supplements – way beyond the capacity of their bodies to process – because they have been told to by coaches. When they change coaches they DONT change the supplement programme.
All these actions could be explained as ‘athlete routines’ all of them could become additions and dependence. As coaches we need to manage them, my son has eczema and a number of allergies – it was recommend by a doctor to try a cod liver oil and vit supplement for 3 months. Now to ensure he took it we have given it to him at breakfast – as part of a routine, after the first month we ran out we got a replacement but it was a different brand and didn’t taste right for him so we went back to the original – as we enter month 3 he will only take the pills at the same tie otherwise its not right.
We are on the verge of it becoming a behaviour and a habit – it may be good it may be bad, we know because we miss days ‘ by accident’ and he doesn’t complain, but this could so easily go the other way if he was not being monitored.
So in Sport in general there is lots of drugs misuse, and dependence – and it’s not all steroids and high performance stuff. Te scary thing is many people don’t know they are doing. Take supplements many surveys have shown up to 20% of off the self products are contaminated with ‘banned’ substances.
In the past we have had high level cases or drugs tests failed due to Green Tea, high caffeine levels etc, but next time you with your team look around – who always straps up, who is taking medicine – just in case or I don’t want to get A or B........think about who is dependent on artificial stimulants to enhance performance. It might not be illegal but as coaches and players what should we do, what are the ethics of you as a coach, as a player. When does enhancing training become an athlete’s dependency issue?
I don’t have the answers, an those I find often lead to more questions but I welcome you comments on these few badly articulated thoughts.
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Friday, 12 June 2009
Sailing for Black
Todays blog is a mix match of thoughts, I have an number of things on my mind at the moment some I have blog written but its not yet appropriate to post yet.
One of my other loves is sailing, and a close family friend Alex Sizer is currently part a team all set to break the record of circumnavigating the British Isles in a sailboat. See the full story here:
http://www.aviva.com/media/news/4933/
So best of luck Alex and co.
I am off next week to Bath University for more coach training – this time the UKCC level 2 in Strength & Conditioning for Sport. It amazes me the number of coaches who assume because they are qualified to teach a job class they feel they can advise athletes on everything from nutrition to conditioning training. I hope that following this I can set proper well developed strength and conditioning programmes for my players, and do so knowing they are right not what I think is right.
Talking of my players I have just achieved what I believe is the aim of all participation players, I have just had two players who I taken from total beginners to their 1st Dan. One made national start up squad and then 12 months ago moved from the school I teach at, so had to advise remotely, the other started in the same class on the same day. I have taken him around over the past 12 months doing theory events, gradings and competitions. From a group of 6 boys at 14 who finished a 10 week beginners course 2 now are now Dan grade in 3 years and 8 months.
For a participation coach this I feel is eth point you know you have done you apprenticeship. Having spent years assisting and working different classes, to manage a player from white to black I feel is the ultimate goal.
The interesting thing is that I have only been able to do it because I acknowledge what I don’t know and get other coaches to come and teach techniques I might not do but suit the player, also to send him away to classes and coaches to develop different skill sets.
I suppose we should run coach education courses on knowing when to ask for help and knowing our own weaknesses.
Just a few thoughts.
One of my other loves is sailing, and a close family friend Alex Sizer is currently part a team all set to break the record of circumnavigating the British Isles in a sailboat. See the full story here:
http://www.aviva.com/media/news/4933/
So best of luck Alex and co.
I am off next week to Bath University for more coach training – this time the UKCC level 2 in Strength & Conditioning for Sport. It amazes me the number of coaches who assume because they are qualified to teach a job class they feel they can advise athletes on everything from nutrition to conditioning training. I hope that following this I can set proper well developed strength and conditioning programmes for my players, and do so knowing they are right not what I think is right.
Talking of my players I have just achieved what I believe is the aim of all participation players, I have just had two players who I taken from total beginners to their 1st Dan. One made national start up squad and then 12 months ago moved from the school I teach at, so had to advise remotely, the other started in the same class on the same day. I have taken him around over the past 12 months doing theory events, gradings and competitions. From a group of 6 boys at 14 who finished a 10 week beginners course 2 now are now Dan grade in 3 years and 8 months.
For a participation coach this I feel is eth point you know you have done you apprenticeship. Having spent years assisting and working different classes, to manage a player from white to black I feel is the ultimate goal.
The interesting thing is that I have only been able to do it because I acknowledge what I don’t know and get other coaches to come and teach techniques I might not do but suit the player, also to send him away to classes and coaches to develop different skill sets.
I suppose we should run coach education courses on knowing when to ask for help and knowing our own weaknesses.
Just a few thoughts.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Developing Judo
Today’s Blog is based on a chain of thought I have been developing over the past week given a few facts I came across whilst researching a job application. Some of the points I have made on the BJA Forum
It is based on Judo in the UK but will resonate in many countries
Interesting that in a recent survey by I think it was Sport England or Sport UK they assessed that there were over 100,000 people did judo in the UK but the BJA as the National Governing Body only represented 20-25% of them. A fact acknowledge by the BJA CEO- Scott McCarthy and the board of directors.
So the NGB represent directly the minority of participant – but are the largest single body. To which several of eth other larger groups, BJC, AJA and army forces associations are affiliated.
Recent funding funding from Sport England has been secured to develop the participation in Judo which should mean the BJA working with ALL Judo providers whether they like it or not. But the only figures they can track effectively are their own membership.
I believe there is nothing stopping other bodies being commissioned by Sport England to do participation development in Judo.
Then add the Government introduction of National Standards in Coaching - the UKCC level 1 and 2. Those in Judo have been developed by the BJA and currently these are only delivered by the BJA.
Many sports use Level 1 as a way to get parents into coaching, and level 2 as eth basic level for a club based coach. The BJA have set high levels of grade as a prerequisite for eth courses and introduced a competency test or assessment for non BJA judoka. The cost of this test – at LEAST £ 200.
The UKCC qualification is universal for ALL judoka to create a national standard regardless of organisation. You could argue the BJA are preventing that by making the competency test too expensive.
I have heard that the BJA have been questioned by the UKCC over the £200 min they charge to asses non BJA Grades re their standard in Judo (competency test). I believe the phrase they used is excessively high. Anyone got any input on this?
If this were to be true isn’t this the sort of thing that just alienates people or feeds their fears.
Bear in mind it is £ 20 for a technical Dan grade and most good coaches/examiners could assess you level of Judo even if you didn't have a BJA grade in 20 - 30 minutes. After all you do that with every visiting Judoka at your dojo.
Imagine what would happen if others started to deliver the UKCC level 1 or 2 in Judo, which in theory they could do with the right assessors and verifiers etc.
So on one hand the BJA is being funded to develop Judo in the UK. On the other they have a coaching system – designed to bring in National Standards that is not going to do so as it is cost prohibitive to non BJA members.
How to engage with other non NGB organisation in a productive manner?
The question is you need to acknowledge them, but how do you engage with those on the middle ground whilst avoiding the extremists and the loopy loonies who will react against anything?
If we are to trying to engage with other groups shouldn't we be consistent across the board?
As a BJA member I do Judo, I do Sport Judo, I do traditional Judo, I do Kata based Judo ( badly) I love Judo as do many others – I am happy to help develop judo and if anyone needs marketing help and advice for a club or group I would be happy to help.
Help Judo grow do you bit.
Mussings for the day.
It is based on Judo in the UK but will resonate in many countries
Interesting that in a recent survey by I think it was Sport England or Sport UK they assessed that there were over 100,000 people did judo in the UK but the BJA as the National Governing Body only represented 20-25% of them. A fact acknowledge by the BJA CEO- Scott McCarthy and the board of directors.
So the NGB represent directly the minority of participant – but are the largest single body. To which several of eth other larger groups, BJC, AJA and army forces associations are affiliated.
Recent funding funding from Sport England has been secured to develop the participation in Judo which should mean the BJA working with ALL Judo providers whether they like it or not. But the only figures they can track effectively are their own membership.
I believe there is nothing stopping other bodies being commissioned by Sport England to do participation development in Judo.
Then add the Government introduction of National Standards in Coaching - the UKCC level 1 and 2. Those in Judo have been developed by the BJA and currently these are only delivered by the BJA.
Many sports use Level 1 as a way to get parents into coaching, and level 2 as eth basic level for a club based coach. The BJA have set high levels of grade as a prerequisite for eth courses and introduced a competency test or assessment for non BJA judoka. The cost of this test – at LEAST £ 200.
The UKCC qualification is universal for ALL judoka to create a national standard regardless of organisation. You could argue the BJA are preventing that by making the competency test too expensive.
I have heard that the BJA have been questioned by the UKCC over the £200 min they charge to asses non BJA Grades re their standard in Judo (competency test). I believe the phrase they used is excessively high. Anyone got any input on this?
If this were to be true isn’t this the sort of thing that just alienates people or feeds their fears.
Bear in mind it is £ 20 for a technical Dan grade and most good coaches/examiners could assess you level of Judo even if you didn't have a BJA grade in 20 - 30 minutes. After all you do that with every visiting Judoka at your dojo.
Imagine what would happen if others started to deliver the UKCC level 1 or 2 in Judo, which in theory they could do with the right assessors and verifiers etc.
So on one hand the BJA is being funded to develop Judo in the UK. On the other they have a coaching system – designed to bring in National Standards that is not going to do so as it is cost prohibitive to non BJA members.
How to engage with other non NGB organisation in a productive manner?
The question is you need to acknowledge them, but how do you engage with those on the middle ground whilst avoiding the extremists and the loopy loonies who will react against anything?
If we are to trying to engage with other groups shouldn't we be consistent across the board?
As a BJA member I do Judo, I do Sport Judo, I do traditional Judo, I do Kata based Judo ( badly) I love Judo as do many others – I am happy to help develop judo and if anyone needs marketing help and advice for a club or group I would be happy to help.
Help Judo grow do you bit.
Mussings for the day.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Division and Participation
Today I want to look at the divisions in Judo
Interesting that a lot of the conflicts of opinion are in relation to traditional judo. Kano would be the first to admit that judo evolves. Modern 'sport' judo or Olympic judo has come about because of changes in society that Judo has reflected.
Judo is one of the most adaptive of sports responding to cultural and political and economic pressure. Examples - the move to sport was due to the treaties past WW2 when martial arts were not allowed. The affiliation/ return to co-operating with the BJA, of BJC and AJA to the BJA was part in order for there to be British Team at the Olympics in 1964 then 1972.
Judo was radically affected by the break up of the Soviet Union and we are the first International Sporting organisation to change qualification procedure to the Olympics because the global economic situation.
Judo absorbs moves and ideas from the cultures in which it practices, but those who try to re imbued it with traditional Japanese values misunderstand where Kano was going and therein lies the problem.
Judo has progressed due to conflict – a person grows up in a club wants to coach, the coach doesn’t want him to as he’s not ready – he get frustrated leaves sets up his own club....now we have 2 clubs not 1 doing judo. Similar situations have seen the formation f organisations – the BJA was the first in Europe and then leading to the formation of the IJF, we tend to do that a lot in England – codify sports.....But when someone doesn’t like you rules they do their own thing – BJC http://www.britishjudocouncil.org is a classic example – its formation was a reaction to the BJA www.britishjudo.org.uk
This can help the sport grow.
Various forums and blogs have discussed the World Judo Alliance. My personal opinion is it is a bit of a con. THE advertising standards in the UK would be aghast to see that this ‘world’ organisation is not even represented or have clubs in 5% of the countries doing judo at the Olympics
I believe the World Judo Alliance are a bunch of individuals who don’t know where they are going and someone wants to make money out of it. However there are some key points they address that are worthy of not in terms of support to clubs and coaches and these are things the BJA are doing – but what you do with 6 clubs or 18 clubs is a lot easier to talk about than what you do with a National Governing Body.
The key issue in the England over the next 4 years is participation Sport Englands plan to Grow, Sustain and Excell. www.sportengland.org
We a have to ask ourselves do we want people to be doing judo – in whatever from Kata, BJC AJA, or BJJ or a private company doing schools judo or do we want the whole of the UK to do just BJA/EJU/IFJ judo.
My personal opinion is you get them doing judo then you get them to find the best club to suit them, and eventually if they are informed enough to see if BJA is better for them or some other organisation.
TTFN
Marc
Interesting that a lot of the conflicts of opinion are in relation to traditional judo. Kano would be the first to admit that judo evolves. Modern 'sport' judo or Olympic judo has come about because of changes in society that Judo has reflected.
Judo is one of the most adaptive of sports responding to cultural and political and economic pressure. Examples - the move to sport was due to the treaties past WW2 when martial arts were not allowed. The affiliation/ return to co-operating with the BJA, of BJC and AJA to the BJA was part in order for there to be British Team at the Olympics in 1964 then 1972.
Judo was radically affected by the break up of the Soviet Union and we are the first International Sporting organisation to change qualification procedure to the Olympics because the global economic situation.
Judo absorbs moves and ideas from the cultures in which it practices, but those who try to re imbued it with traditional Japanese values misunderstand where Kano was going and therein lies the problem.
Judo has progressed due to conflict – a person grows up in a club wants to coach, the coach doesn’t want him to as he’s not ready – he get frustrated leaves sets up his own club....now we have 2 clubs not 1 doing judo. Similar situations have seen the formation f organisations – the BJA was the first in Europe and then leading to the formation of the IJF, we tend to do that a lot in England – codify sports.....But when someone doesn’t like you rules they do their own thing – BJC http://www.britishjudocouncil.org is a classic example – its formation was a reaction to the BJA www.britishjudo.org.uk
This can help the sport grow.
Various forums and blogs have discussed the World Judo Alliance. My personal opinion is it is a bit of a con. THE advertising standards in the UK would be aghast to see that this ‘world’ organisation is not even represented or have clubs in 5% of the countries doing judo at the Olympics
I believe the World Judo Alliance are a bunch of individuals who don’t know where they are going and someone wants to make money out of it. However there are some key points they address that are worthy of not in terms of support to clubs and coaches and these are things the BJA are doing – but what you do with 6 clubs or 18 clubs is a lot easier to talk about than what you do with a National Governing Body.
The key issue in the England over the next 4 years is participation Sport Englands plan to Grow, Sustain and Excell. www.sportengland.org
We a have to ask ourselves do we want people to be doing judo – in whatever from Kata, BJC AJA, or BJJ or a private company doing schools judo or do we want the whole of the UK to do just BJA/EJU/IFJ judo.
My personal opinion is you get them doing judo then you get them to find the best club to suit them, and eventually if they are informed enough to see if BJA is better for them or some other organisation.
TTFN
Marc
Sunday, 10 May 2009
A Judokas Charter
Start this blog at a ridiculous hour – 7.30 am having travelled for 90 minutes to get to a Judo competition for a 7.30 weigh in. Now I don’t mind early weigh in but this is for a Junior team event. Why is it is it so early? The reason is bad planning in my opinion on the part of the Hosting county.
Last year the Southern area team event in the UK was a four mat event, matches starting at 10 and finishing around 4. This year the hosts have decided a two mat event is enough. I hope so, but does the idea of players having to travel for 2 hours to weigh in at 7.30 am fit with NGB LTPD for junior athletes, I see children of 12 looking like they are burly awake as they try to get ready to fight. I hope the day doesn’t drag.
After the first team match for the boys which didn’t start until gone 9am the organisers decide to alternate as the girls have just finished weighing in and they might as well start was the official line!
In the UK with the recent change of grading structures many county and area organisations have lost revenue. This should be made up by an increase in low level completion- however it appears they are making the short fall by running large events on the cheap. two mats not four which mean less outlay on halls, on referees and officials.
This is not an isolated case. The British Master was last year a 4 mat event with close to 160 senior men and 30 senior women. A good days judo with a packed schedule of fighting. Initially the area hosting it wanted to run it along side there area 10/11 trails on the same day and same venue. It was only due to pressure from competitors they have now agreed to split the two events.
So the question I ask today is what do we as consumers, spectators and competitors want, are we going to be driven by the need of the NGB and its areas to make money or our need to gain competition experience for our players? Should the NGB under their new strategic plan to Sustain, Grow and Excell from now until 2013, consider us as consumers and adopt a marketing strategy to set expectations and fulfil them.
The NHS have a patents charter, Schools have a pupils charter so ....
Imagine a Judoka Charter for events. Every Judoka competing at an event has the rite to expect .... what?
Well here is my Judoka Charter for competitions:
Every Judoka has the rite to
1. Compete in fair and equitable completion under IJF rules and those of the NGB.
2. BE protect from intimidation by other players and coaches both on and off the mat.
3. Expect suitable and efficient First Aid provision
4. A nominated weigh in time which should be no more than 2 hours form the start of their weight category.
5. Be kept fully informed of the format of the day’s events
6. A safe well maintained changing area
7. Suitable warm up facilities
Would I be wrong to expect such basic things? Because from what I see at the moment you get this at some events and not at others. What do you think should be on it...?
Perhaps next time I will do a blog on a parents charter for what to expect from your Judo club...
Bye for Now
Last year the Southern area team event in the UK was a four mat event, matches starting at 10 and finishing around 4. This year the hosts have decided a two mat event is enough. I hope so, but does the idea of players having to travel for 2 hours to weigh in at 7.30 am fit with NGB LTPD for junior athletes, I see children of 12 looking like they are burly awake as they try to get ready to fight. I hope the day doesn’t drag.
After the first team match for the boys which didn’t start until gone 9am the organisers decide to alternate as the girls have just finished weighing in and they might as well start was the official line!
In the UK with the recent change of grading structures many county and area organisations have lost revenue. This should be made up by an increase in low level completion- however it appears they are making the short fall by running large events on the cheap. two mats not four which mean less outlay on halls, on referees and officials.
This is not an isolated case. The British Master was last year a 4 mat event with close to 160 senior men and 30 senior women. A good days judo with a packed schedule of fighting. Initially the area hosting it wanted to run it along side there area 10/11 trails on the same day and same venue. It was only due to pressure from competitors they have now agreed to split the two events.
So the question I ask today is what do we as consumers, spectators and competitors want, are we going to be driven by the need of the NGB and its areas to make money or our need to gain competition experience for our players? Should the NGB under their new strategic plan to Sustain, Grow and Excell from now until 2013, consider us as consumers and adopt a marketing strategy to set expectations and fulfil them.
The NHS have a patents charter, Schools have a pupils charter so ....
Imagine a Judoka Charter for events. Every Judoka competing at an event has the rite to expect .... what?
Well here is my Judoka Charter for competitions:
Every Judoka has the rite to
1. Compete in fair and equitable completion under IJF rules and those of the NGB.
2. BE protect from intimidation by other players and coaches both on and off the mat.
3. Expect suitable and efficient First Aid provision
4. A nominated weigh in time which should be no more than 2 hours form the start of their weight category.
5. Be kept fully informed of the format of the day’s events
6. A safe well maintained changing area
7. Suitable warm up facilities
Would I be wrong to expect such basic things? Because from what I see at the moment you get this at some events and not at others. What do you think should be on it...?
Perhaps next time I will do a blog on a parents charter for what to expect from your Judo club...
Bye for Now
Friday, 8 May 2009
What makes Good Judo?
I haven’t blogged for a while as I have been tied up with degree assignments and posting on the BJA forum. It is an area of the forum I wanted to try explore today.
Background
Someone posted 4 video clips
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2363
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2657
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2686
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2598
The thread title was Worst Olympian Ever!!!! The author said this must be the worst Olympian ever as he has no heart. Something I disagreed with. So the discussion then lead to what define good and the best Judo is it hoe effective it is – winning the fight no matter how, ...winning with Ippon?
Full thread is here:
http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=24&Number=46680&Searchpage=1&Main=2551&Words=&topic=1&Search=true#Post46680
When chatting with Lance Wicks (www.judocoach.com) we looked how do you judo good judo? If it is about beating the opponent then style doesn’t come into it nor does the level of the score – it is about playing the rules.
Playing the rules happens in other sports Formula 1 and the 6 wheeled McClaren of the 1970’s, or the current new diffuser boxes, or the Sailing final that saw Ben Ainsley win gold by not trying to win a race only using the laws of sailing to make his nearest competitor get a low ranking.
You might not like countries loading events with competitors pre Olympics to stop key players from other countries qualifying but it was within the rules if not the spirit of Judo.
So what is good judo?
Someone said to me it was about Ippon Judo nothing more or less – so is 4 minutes of negative judo getting 3 shido’s good judo... as long as you produce one attack that scores you Ippon?
I was looking for a way of rating items that went to good Judo at an ELITE OLYMPIC level...the list I came up with is
My idea on good judo for the Olympics performance judo– different at non recreational level – so if you have these qualities then your judo is good if not judo is bad, and by rating these on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the excellent 1 being the worst or nonexistent, and adding the score up you could create a scale to rate the best and worst performers at an Olympics.
It is not extensive nor is it exclusive. I would like to try and keep lists to 10, so what’s your list? If something on my list is in your opinion wrong please say why and what you would re place it with?
1. Commits to attacks
2. Moves and controls partner with skill as well as strength
3. Ability to use tactics and strategy in fights
4. Adapts the judo to opponent, both using pro active and reactive Judo, passive and aggressive states.
5. Wins fights
6. Doesn’t give up, eg. Carries on fighting to escape in Osekomi ( heart or motivation)
7. Has a variety of scoring techniques, sides and directions
8. Has a variety of gripping patterns and grips
9. Consistent, both fight to fight and from Tachi Waza to Ne Waza
10. Mentally sharp and switched on – able to think to adapt within a completion and fight.
I am trying to keep it to intrinsic quality regardless of the support network, coach etc. 3 Are Psychological, 3 are technical the other cross a couple of boarders.
So the thought I will leave you is what is good judo and how will you recognise it and recognise it in young players...as we have no frame work or points of reference....would love your comments.
Background
Someone posted 4 video clips
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2363
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2657
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2686
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2598
The thread title was Worst Olympian Ever!!!! The author said this must be the worst Olympian ever as he has no heart. Something I disagreed with. So the discussion then lead to what define good and the best Judo is it hoe effective it is – winning the fight no matter how, ...winning with Ippon?
Full thread is here:
http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=24&Number=46680&Searchpage=1&Main=2551&Words=&topic=1&Search=true#Post46680
When chatting with Lance Wicks (www.judocoach.com) we looked how do you judo good judo? If it is about beating the opponent then style doesn’t come into it nor does the level of the score – it is about playing the rules.
Playing the rules happens in other sports Formula 1 and the 6 wheeled McClaren of the 1970’s, or the current new diffuser boxes, or the Sailing final that saw Ben Ainsley win gold by not trying to win a race only using the laws of sailing to make his nearest competitor get a low ranking.
You might not like countries loading events with competitors pre Olympics to stop key players from other countries qualifying but it was within the rules if not the spirit of Judo.
So what is good judo?
Someone said to me it was about Ippon Judo nothing more or less – so is 4 minutes of negative judo getting 3 shido’s good judo... as long as you produce one attack that scores you Ippon?
I was looking for a way of rating items that went to good Judo at an ELITE OLYMPIC level...the list I came up with is
My idea on good judo for the Olympics performance judo– different at non recreational level – so if you have these qualities then your judo is good if not judo is bad, and by rating these on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the excellent 1 being the worst or nonexistent, and adding the score up you could create a scale to rate the best and worst performers at an Olympics.
It is not extensive nor is it exclusive. I would like to try and keep lists to 10, so what’s your list? If something on my list is in your opinion wrong please say why and what you would re place it with?
1. Commits to attacks
2. Moves and controls partner with skill as well as strength
3. Ability to use tactics and strategy in fights
4. Adapts the judo to opponent, both using pro active and reactive Judo, passive and aggressive states.
5. Wins fights
6. Doesn’t give up, eg. Carries on fighting to escape in Osekomi ( heart or motivation)
7. Has a variety of scoring techniques, sides and directions
8. Has a variety of gripping patterns and grips
9. Consistent, both fight to fight and from Tachi Waza to Ne Waza
10. Mentally sharp and switched on – able to think to adapt within a completion and fight.
I am trying to keep it to intrinsic quality regardless of the support network, coach etc. 3 Are Psychological, 3 are technical the other cross a couple of boarders.
So the thought I will leave you is what is good judo and how will you recognise it and recognise it in young players...as we have no frame work or points of reference....would love your comments.
Monday, 13 April 2009
The First Coach
Having finished at Bath University on Friday I had a 2 hour trip home a change of bags and a 700 mile drive to Oban in Scotland. During this time I reflected on the awesome time I had at Bath. I suppose one of the enduring memories will be chatting with four world champions and them reflecting on what made their Judo.
Some of this is available a pod cast of an interview session with three of them. But what was surprising was the common ground, the supportive nature of their parents and EVERY one of them and several of the Olympians who where there as well all noted that their first instructors where instrumental in their development.
So if they say this was important why is it that beginner’s class in the west are not taught by the most experienced coaches? Why is there no specialised training and coach education courses aimed at coaching beginners? I teach beginners and always have, my first coaching jobs were helping with a “Try Judo” Course. I was helping a 5th Dan and learnt a lot. Even now my 14 week beginner’s course with the Army has 3 experienced coaches, a 5th 4th and 2nd Dan, running it with every lesson review and improved.
Our National Governing Bodies talk about retention and increasing the number of Judoka who move from school to club judo, we talk about increasing the number of lesson for beginners and getting people to try but we never talk about raising the standards of coaches for beginners’.
This week I have had lectures on Pedagogy, now I have had these as a teacher and through CPD at some of the private schools I teach at , but I have NEVER had such in depth discussion in an academic way about different stages of physical, emotional and psychological development. I will need to develop this into my coaching ensuring a level commensurate with the pupils being taught but surely an NGB should be doing this not leaving it to university courses?
Next time your club runs a beginners’ class put the most experienced coach in charge, see if it makes a difference,. Try and think like a new comer to the sport would these classes encourage you to carry on and is the coach inspirational, will they encourage kids or adults to be the best Judoka they can be?
I will expand these ideas next time and hope to look at the environment within your club – and your classes and how this may help or hinder some players and what we can do about it.
Speak soon.
Marc
Some of this is available a pod cast of an interview session with three of them. But what was surprising was the common ground, the supportive nature of their parents and EVERY one of them and several of the Olympians who where there as well all noted that their first instructors where instrumental in their development.
So if they say this was important why is it that beginner’s class in the west are not taught by the most experienced coaches? Why is there no specialised training and coach education courses aimed at coaching beginners? I teach beginners and always have, my first coaching jobs were helping with a “Try Judo” Course. I was helping a 5th Dan and learnt a lot. Even now my 14 week beginner’s course with the Army has 3 experienced coaches, a 5th 4th and 2nd Dan, running it with every lesson review and improved.
Our National Governing Bodies talk about retention and increasing the number of Judoka who move from school to club judo, we talk about increasing the number of lesson for beginners and getting people to try but we never talk about raising the standards of coaches for beginners’.
This week I have had lectures on Pedagogy, now I have had these as a teacher and through CPD at some of the private schools I teach at , but I have NEVER had such in depth discussion in an academic way about different stages of physical, emotional and psychological development. I will need to develop this into my coaching ensuring a level commensurate with the pupils being taught but surely an NGB should be doing this not leaving it to university courses?
Next time your club runs a beginners’ class put the most experienced coach in charge, see if it makes a difference,. Try and think like a new comer to the sport would these classes encourage you to carry on and is the coach inspirational, will they encourage kids or adults to be the best Judoka they can be?
I will expand these ideas next time and hope to look at the environment within your club – and your classes and how this may help or hinder some players and what we can do about it.
Speak soon.
Marc
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)