Bja Technical Grading Syllabus - Red Belt

Front 1

RANDORI

Back 1

FREE SPARRING

"Randori" is a free sparring drill which allows both practice partners to execute Waza. Randori is a fundamental Judo drill in which a combatant uses Waza which have polished in Uchikomi (Repetition training) and Yakusoku geiko (Agreed-upon practice), to attack and throw the practice partner in a manner which simulates an actual contest.
Randori (Free sparring) emphasizes the basics, and requires that the partners execute (and receive) the throws at full power. In doing so, they learn how to effectively destabilize the opponent, how to time the Waza, and how to combine Waza, as well as how to defend against Waza and employ counter Waza.

Front 2

UKEMI

Back 2

Ukemi in a literary sense means "receiving body or self." In the simplest terms possible, the "uke" part of ukemi as in Tori and Uke means "receiving" and is a person who is on the receiving end of throw. It is always used in a passive sense. Mi means "body or self". In this case, self is the better translation. In his Kodokan Judo, Kano Sensei states "before practicing throwing techniques or engaging in randori, it is imperative to master ukemi, the technique of falling safely."2 So, ukemi means "falling safely" when one receives a throw. Simple logic testifies that one should master it before throwing a partner or taking on free practice. Herein, the question is raised as to what is "falling safely." I conclude that "falling safely" is the technique that must incorporate the least chance for injury.

Front 3

GATAME

Back 3

HOLD
CRUSH

Front 4

REI

Back 4

STANDING BOW

Judo "Rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru" (Beginning and ending with a bow of respect), and the importance of the spirit of respect is expressed in the dojo bows which are always performed before and after a practice session or a contest. To perform a Ritsu-rei (Standing bow), the contestant stands on the heels of both feet in a natural posture with back straight, then bends the upper body naturally forward by approximately 30-degrees. At this time, the fingers of both hands are lowered to the approximate height of the kneecaps.
Prior to a contest, the contestants stand facing each other at the red and white start lines, and then bow toward each other. At the end of the contest, they return to stand again at these start lines and wait for the decision. After the decision, they take one step back, and then bow toward each other.

Front 5

O

Back 5

MAJOR
BIG

Front 6

USHIRO

Back 6

BACKWARD
REAR

Front 7

KESA-GATAME

Back 7

SCARF HOLD

SUMMARY
This basic Osae komi waza (Hold-down techniques) favors heavyweight division combatants.

FEATURES
In the Kesa-gatame (Scarf hold) Waza, Tori (Player executing technique) wraps an arm around Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) neck and pins Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) with his upper body.

WAZA DETAILS
Tori (Player executing technique) wraps an arm around the back of Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) neck, and pins his upper body as if hugging him.
At this time, one of Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) arms (on Tori (Player executing technique) chest side) is scissored and locked against Tori (Player executing technique) side, disabling it.
Tori (Player executing technique) then brings his face close to Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) face to firmly pin Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) with his upper body.
In order to maintain balance as Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) attempts to move, Tori (Player executing technique) extends one leg forward, and rests his other leg on his flexed knee.
The pinned Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) may try to pull on Tori (Player executing technique) back from below in order to turn him over, but Tori (Player executing technique) can repel this by releasing his hold on Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) neck and placing that hand against the floor for balance and support.
In actual competition, combatants may escape this hold-down by twisting at the waist and raising their hips, though this escape maneuver favors women combatants with flexible bodies.
The "Kesa-gatame" (Scarf hold) name comes from the fact that it resembles the over-one-shoulder robe worn by priests.
This is a fundamental Waza in Judo, and one of the first that beginners learn.

Front 8

TACHI WAZA

Back 8

STANDING TECHNIQUES

Front 9

SOTO

Back 9

OUTER

Front 10

MUNE

Back 10

CHEST

Front 11

YOKO

Back 11

SIDE
SIDEWAYS

Front 12

USHIRO UKEMI

Back 12

FALLING ON YOUR BACK

Ushiro-Ukemi is a safe falling technique used to minimise the impact with the Tatami when a player is thrown backwards.

KEY TECHNICAL POINTS:
1. to "curve / round" the back and roll backwards.
2. to keep the chin in touch with their chest while doing UKEMI (in order to avoid direct contact of the back of the head on the Tatami).
3. to stretch the arms forward (in order to protect them from directly striking the ground in an uncontrolled manner).
4. slap off the mat with arms and bounce the back off the mat.

Front 13

OTOSHI

Back 13

DROP

Front 14

DE

Back 14

ADVANCED
MOVE FORWARD

Front 15

ASHI

Back 15

FOOT
LEG
TO WALK

Front 16

KESA

Back 16

SCARF

Front 17

O-SOTO-OTOSHI

Back 17

LARGE OUTER DROP

KEY TECHNICAL POINTS:
1. to push Uke backwards, or use Uke's
pulling action;
2. to step behind Uke's leg and plant Tori's foot on the mat, so that Tori has complete control over the final phase of the throw and the falling direction of Uke;
3. to drive Uke to the mat safely and effectively allowing him to apply a
breakfall (Ushiro-Ukemi) cleanly.

Front 18

BARAI

Back 18

SWEEP

Front 19

UKI

Back 19

FLOATING

Front 20

KUZURE

Back 20

MODIFIED HOLD
VARIANTO

Front 21

MAE

Back 21

FORWARD
FROMT

Front 22

Escape from KESA-GATAME

Back 22

KEY TECHNICAL POINTS:
Tori when caught with Kesa-gatame, moves closer to Ukes body and traps Ukes leg between his own. Kesa-gatame hold is considered as broken as Uke loses a great deal of control over Tori.

Front 23

O-SOTO-OTOSHI into KESA-GATAME

Back 23

Tori applies O-soto-otoshi accordingly to Ukes movements and continues into Kesa-gatame. It is important to avoid chest-to-chest contact or shoulder-to-chest clash that can often result if Tori loses his balance after throwing landing heavily on Uke. Continuity is achieved by Tori supporting Ukes arm upwards on contact with the ground opening up a space for his own entry. Taking his weight slowly on his knee whilst settling alongside Uke to apply Kesa-gatame.

Front 24

ZA REI

Back 24

This form of bow may be used at the start and end of practicing judo. Also this bow is used in Ne-waza practice (groundwork).

Front 25

TACHI REI

Back 25

Before and after practicing judo or engaging in a match, opponents bow to each other. Bowing is an expression of gratitude and respect. In effect, you are thanking your opponent for an opportunity to improve your technique (J. Kano)

Front 26

YOKO UKEMI

Back 26

SIDE BREAK FALL

Yoko-Ukemi is a safe falling technique allowing to minimising the impact with the tatami when a player is thrown to his side.

Key technical points:
1. Tori keeps the chin in touch with the chest all through the fall.
2. Tori stretches his arm at 45 degrees to his side, slaps the mat and keeps his fingers facing his feet as he rolls onto his back.

Front 27

MUNE-GATAME

Back 27

CHEST
KEY TECHNICAL POINTS:
1. Tori applies a strong "clamping action" as he takes a grip over Uke's head and arm.
2. Tori keeps optimal position with regards to Uke, which is to align his torso in the shape of the letter T with that of Uke.

Front 28

DE-ASHI-BARAI

Back 28

FORWARD/ADVANCING FOOT SWEEP

KEY TECHNICAL POINTS:
1. As Uke advances towards Tori, Tori balances on his supporting leg and uses his other leg to apply a sweeping action with the sole of his foot.
2. At the same time Tori applies a strong hand pull downward, pushing Uke's arm in the same direction as the foot sweep.
3. Tori maintains the grip and supports Uke as he falls to the ground.

Front 29

Escape from MUNE-GATAME

Back 29

Escape from CHEST HOLD

Tori when caught with Mune-gatame, grabs Ukes belt over his back. Then applies a bridging action with his body and strongly pulls the belt. As Tori completes the roll he takes Uke into Mune-gatame hold himself.

Front 30

DE-ASHI-BARAI into MUNE-GATAME

Back 30

FORWARD/ADVANCING FOOT SWEEP into CHEST HOLD

Tori applies De-ashi-barai accordingly to Ukes movement and continues into Mune-gatame. It is important to avoid chest-to-chest contact or shoulder-to-chest clash that can often result if Tori loses his balance after throwing landing heavily on Uke. Continuity is achieved by Tori supporting Ukes arm upwards on contact with the ground opening up a space for his own entry. Taking his weight slowly on his knee whilst settling alongside Uke to apply Mune-gatame.

Front 31

UKI GOSHI

Back 31

FLOATING HIP THROW

KEY TECHNICAL POINTS:
1. Tori steps forward towards Uke and reaches around Ukes back.
2. He fixes Uke to his hip.
3. Tori twists and rotates Uke.
4. Tori throws him without lifting.

Front 32

KUZURE-KESA-GATAME

Back 32

MODIFIED SCARF HOLD
BROKEN SCARF HOLD

Key technical points:
1. Tori leans across Ukes chest and slides his arm under Ukes armpit
2. Tori then either holds the gi near lapel or places the palm of his hand on the matto stabilise himself
3. Ukes right arm is secured under Toris left armpit

Front 33

MAE-MAWARI-UKEMI

Back 33

FORWARD ROLLING BREAKFALL

Mae-Maware-Ukemi is a safe falling technique executed as a forward roll over the shoulder to minimise the impact with the Tatami when a player is thrown forward.

Key technical points:
1. Keep chin tucked in (touching chest).
2. Protect shoulder from a direct hard landing by using the leading turning to the side to soften the shoulder landing.
3. Tori lands on the side and keeps his legs apart (not crossing his legs).

Front 34

Escape from KUZURE-KESA-GATAME

Back 34

Escape from MODIFIED/BROKEN SCARF HOLD

Escape from Kuzure-kesa-gatame by using sitting up and pushing is best applied in situation when Tori being caught with this hold, tries to get closer to Uke to trap his leg. As Tori tries to get closer to Uke, Uke moves away from Tori in a circle and secures his leg from being trapped. Tori reverses the direction of movement to make Uke unstable, literally by turning the "T" shape to an "I". As they come into line Tori applies a strong push with the hands whilst driving off the supporting leg to apply Kesa-gatame.

Front 35

UKI-GOSHI into KUZURE-KESA-GATAME

Back 35

FLOATING HIP THROW into MODIFIED/BROKEN SCARF HOLD

As Uke pushes Tori, Tori applies Uki-goshi and continues into Kuzure-kesa-gatame. It is important to avoid chest-to-chest hard contact or shoulder-to-chest clash that can often result if Tori loses his balance after throwing landing heavily on Uke. Continuity is achieved by Tori supporting Ukes arm upwards on contact with tatami opening up a space for his own entry. Taking his weight slowly on his knee whilst settling alongside Uke to apply Kuzure-kesa-gatame.