Judo New Zealand's CEO reply s to criticizisms of grading syllabus

Thanks for your feedback - constructive criticism and assistance always appreciated. As Rob correctly points out, it was a huge job involving a number of volunteers and there will be the inevitable errors that need correcting, as well as disagreements as to what goes where and why (we will never get consensus on this). Naturally errors will be corrected over time as opportunities present (eg prior to making the resource kit available on the website). The translation of "tsuri" is one - the consensus appears to be for "lifting" as opposed to "fishing". If you have others please advise so that these may be corrected.

Unfortunately choice of graphics is restricted to what is available royalty free (unless you can find better ones or know a good artist who is willing to work very cheap!) and for some techniques these were very difficult to find - result often not the best depiction and sometimes not great quality. Again, if we can find better we will replace.

As outlined at the presentation when the TAGS resource kit was explained to the coaches present, the decision to continue to include ALL techniques listed by the IJF as per previous syllabus was taken. This includes ALL techniques, including those "banned" in competition and randori. Thay are still a part of judo, and are therefore included (would it make sense not to teach Kata Guruma - and therfore not Nage No Kata) simply becuase this is now  not allowed in competition? You will  note that the majority of kinshi waza are included in the higher grades. We would anticipate that responsible coaches would teach that these techniques are prohibited in randori and shiai.

I assume that your comments/ criticisms (and possibly your decision not to use the syllabus) is based on observations of the Resource Kit, rather than the Teaching and Grading Syllabus itself (available on the JNZ Website). For example, page 17 of the Syllabus clearly identifies kinshi waza (as per the previous syllabus). Please remember that the Resource Kit (ie the folders with diagrams, etc) is a supporting resource to the actual Teaching and Grading Syllabus (e-mailed to all clubs and available in Documents section of the JNZ website).

Perhaps the National Technical Director may have further comments.

Finally, unlike some, I personally am not in the habit of criticising others for trying to make a positive, constructive contribution to the development of judo in this country, so I naturally thank you on behalf of the review team for your comments and the support that you personally gave at the recent Technical Workshop. I am sure the Review Team will look forward to receiving your suggested solutions to the problems you point out.

Graeme Downing

Grading Syllabus Review Team Member