For participant safety and to ensure proper technique is developed, Judo should only be practiced under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

Fundamental Movements of Judo

The fundamental movements of Judo listed here are the basis from which all other movements and ultimately techniques are drawn from.  These fundamentals serve as the basis from which your attacks and defenses grow.

Shisei

• Shisei or posture is important to all of your Judo movements.

Tai Sabaki

Tai sabaki translates to body management or more practically body control or body movement.  Tai sabaki is  fundamental to many japanese martial arts including Judo. You must be able to control your body if you are to control your opponent's body. These movements are fundamental to setting up, executing, and defending against throws. The basic body movements every Judoka, judo practitioner, should understand are:

• Mae sabaki - forward shifting

• Ushiro sabaki - backward shifting

• Mae mawari sabaki - turning to the front

• Ushiro mawari sabaki - turning to the rear

Shintai

Translating as advancing and retreating shintai refers to the fundamental movements of the body used to maintain balance and postion yourself for an attack.  Combining shintai with tai-sabaki you generate many of the opening movements used in Judo techniques.

• Ayumi ashi - Natural walking

• Tsugi ashi - Shuffle stepping

• Suri Ashi - Sliding footwork

Kumi Kata

You must grip your opponent to throw them.

• Kumi kata - gripping