There are a number if things a beginner can do at judo that will assist in increasing your skill an overall understanding of judo. Judo is a very difficult art and that is why the more you understand judo the easier it is. Here are a few key concepts that will help improve your judo.

Opposite color gi

Nothing annoys me more than a judo player wearing an odd colored gi. For example a white jacket with blue pants or vice versa. I must admit I have done this in the past but I soon realized that how you wear you gi, shows how you respect yourself, your dojo and your sensei. It also is a good example of how organized you are and obviously disorganized if you cannot find a gi top and gi pants the same color. As well as a gi the same color i encourage you to purchase a proper fitting gi. You will not only feel good in it, you will look good too.

Learn how to do your belt up

Learning how to tie your belt will only take a maximum of ten minutes out of your day. Most judo books and YouTube have a section on how to wear your gi and tie your belt so I encourage you to spend. Short while mastering how to tie your belt.

Be co-operative

As a partner try to be as co-operative as possible. Being stiff as a board will only result in being throw extremely hard and having a group of people who do not want to work with you. So relax and take the time to learn how to be a good partner. If you do not know how ask your sensei how you should react when your partner is performing technique.

Learn proper ukemi

Learning how to real fall is critical for a beginner. If you cannot break fall you will find that you will be scared of getting thrown. This will result in being stiff and defensive when your opponent throws you. Each and every injury I have ever seen at judo was because the person was resisting a throw. If you go with a throw and perform a break fall you will increase your chance of not getting injured.

Get there early and leave late

Getting to training early and leaving late is one of the best habits you can do. The more you hang around at judo the better you will become, it’s that simple.

Have a journal

Write down everything you did at training and carry the journal everywhere you go. If you are bored at school or work the open up your journal and have a read over a few sessions you did a few months ago. This will really help you grasp the concepts of judo a lot quicker.

Don’t look at the feet

Looking at your opponents feet is common in nearly every beginner judo class. The whole principle of judo is to feel what your opponent is doing, not watch. I tell all my students to look at your partners chest. By looking at their chest you can see both of their arms as well as keeping your head up and back straight which is crucial to all throwing techniques.

Try to feel rather than muscle

Technique, technique, technique. Try to use as much technique as possible. Use little strength each and every time you perform uchikomi or compete in randori. The more you concentrate on technique the quicker you will improve your judo skills.

Have fun

In the end you must have fun at judo training. Judo is a fantastic sport and an awesome martial art. Have fun at each and every session. Don’t be so hard on yourself and remember that somewhere around the weld there is someone a little bit better than you. Setting daily, short and long-term goals is the best way to continually have fun at judo.