Many people will dismiss the usefulness of Judo as a fighting method because it is practiced in a Gi. It’s common to see some in the martial arts community diminish judo as a viable method of self defense. Some just outright dismiss it as “just a sport”, but it’s not, it is something much much bigger. The sport of judo has a set of rules for competition ….and unfortunately, this is all that many people see. Judo is a competitive combat sport, but that is a strength, not a weakness. The so called “sport” aspect of judo quite simply equals that the competitive judoka learned to do their stuff against other fit and skilled opponents. These opponents know what they’re doing and how to avoid be thrown but but a good judoka succeeded against them anyway.
Judo is not only extremely effective when the pressure is on but it thrives in a close quarter range. Judo most definitely packs a punch and is without a doubt a solid choice for building a foundation in close quarter fighting. When fights close distance nothing exploits the movement of an attacker and their close proximity quite like judo.
The real-world applicability of judo techniques ensures their relevance in various self-defense situations, making it a practical choice for those looking to enhance their personal safety. Combat Judo’s power lies in its simplicity. Short, sharp ballistic actions floor foes fast.
O Soto-Gari (major outside reap) can definitely be a game-changer. If you practice osoto gari correctly and diligently, it becomes a very effective tool in your arsenal both in competition and in the street. Regardless if it is for sport be it gi or no gi or for self defense, one sweep, and down they go. In a self defense situation when adding strikes such as a hack (a strike with the blade of the forearm) and elbow strikes to the entry Osoto Gari becomes extremely effective.
Defense Against a Right Rear Hand Punch
1.) Attacker is fighting out of a left foot forward stance like a boxer. Defender is standing in a right foot forward fighting stance. 2.) The Attacker throws a right punch. The defender pushes off the left foot and steps forward with his right foot approximately two o’clock stepping offline of the incoming punch. The defender strikes the aggressor’s shoulder right above the armpit jamming the attempted punch. 3.) He then immediately grips his shirt at the area struck. As the defender steps forward with the left foot toward eleven o’clock he strikes the attacker at the right side of his neck with a right Hack (blade of forearm strike).
4.) Pull the attacker back toward you with the left hand rocking him forward up off his heels and pivoting to ten o’clock on both feet deliver a right elbow strike to his ribs. 5.) The defender’s right arm moves up under the attacker’s arm and pinches the opponent’s right arm at his armpit between right forearm and bicep. 6.) The defender brings his right knee forward and up in between his left leg and to the outside of the attacker’s right leg (The attacker’s right thigh should be raised until it is parallel with the ground). The defender swings his right leg downward and back without letting his right foot touch the ground. The back of defender’s calf should make contact with the back of the attacker’s knee or calf. The defender should pull both if his elbows down into his hips as he sweeps the opponent’s leg high, driving his shoulders downward to the ground to complete the sweep.
