Proper stances for judo from "summary" of Mastering Judo by Masao Takahashi
Judo is a martial art that requires proper stances to ensure effective technique. The stances help to maintain balance, provide stability and power, and set up the practitioner to successfully execute a wide range of techniques. Knowing the right stances is an important part of mastering judo.- Stance in judo is a fundamental skill to master before progressing to more advanced moves – proper balance, body posture and weight are all important elements to consider.
- Keeping good posture by dropping the hips down will allow you to move quickly yet maintain control over your opponent's movements.
- Good mobility is key when transitioning from one stance to another throughout different moments within a match, enhancing defensive and offensive strategies.
- Equally important to proper balance is remaining conscious of your opponents’ foot placement and balance to better anticipate their moves and stances accordingly.
- Genetics can play a role in the stance you naturally adopt during a match – some people have longer legs, thus can extend and reach further - use this natural advantage to increase speed and reaction time
- Work to keep your head up, chest out and shoulders dropped in order to continue to create openings that could lead to an attack opportunity.
- Knees should be bent while your feet are slightly wider than shoulder-width with your toes pointing in the same direction as your knees. Keep your back straight and avoid leaning forward or backwards.
- When moving into throws, it requires having precise coordination and timing so that both fighters are working in sync in order to complete the throw successfully.
- A technical approach to stance through repetition and drill practice helps solidify good habits that become valuable skills during competitions.
