The Unruly Mob Speaks Out On Judo Coaching

On occasion, the unruly mob has some genuinely interesting things to say. Here is an anon. comment in regards to Sensei Rick's "thoughts on coaching"

You tell them. I get so sick of this farsical idea that when the deficits found in Western judo are technical deficits, that somehow they'll be corrected with better conditioning, a more intensive weight training programme and some supplements. Take the example of the States.

In the past, the States produced some top judoka through these judokas making an earnest bid at international training, cultivating both the mental and emotional discipline and the technical prowess required to compete on the international scene. The top judokas also had a heavy role in supporting the up and comers in their psychological and technical development, ala Pedro's investments into the training of the Rouseys and Mike Swain's sustained and well received commitment to US Judo.

Nowadays however, the attitude seems to be that the athletes need to be, "more explosive", "fitter", "have a better sports psychologist", etc to win the medals.

When Canada's Doug Rogers won his Olympic silver medal, he certainly didn't win it through strength or conditioning. At the top level, EVERYBODY is strong. EVERYBODY is conditioned and EVERYBODY is hungry for the glory of an Olympic title. Doug won because he busted his ass training with Masahiko Kimura in Japan for many years, being humble enough to get his ass kicked every day until he had the chops for greatness.

Neil Adams certainly thinks that this regression seen in the modern western attitude to judo, is mirrored in the current British system also. I don't know what is to be done about it, but it's certainly difficult to alter and entire methodology/attitude.

-H