Does Judo Block?

[ramus]

In every judo book ive ever seen ive never found any blocks, so does judo block?

[Scott Kano]

No Judo doesnt really block. Well at the start of my trainning session to warm up we try to hit on the back of the shoulders and back of hips, and blocks are used here to block and then counter enemy. But this is mainly a warmup. In randori you block and then counter with your grip to grab hold of opponenet and do whwat you want.
I would say no.

[chris davis 200]

Judo was developed not as a martial art, but as a martial way. A means for developing yourself based on Martial art techniques

Virtually all of the really dangerous techniques from JuJutsu were taken out, and it was designed for competition and matches against Judo not really other martial arts. This deletion of techniques was (in the main) so that it could be introduced into the japanse school system.

All striking techniques where taken out and so with no striking involved no blocking was needed.

cheers
Chris

[Szczepankiewicz]

I thought Kano didn't really like the competition aspect of Judo?

[Guest]

Chris, I thought the same way too, but I read an article somewhere (it is on the net, I will try and find it for you) that sees things very differently.

Pre war Kodokan Judo was, apparently, a fine martial art. It included all kinds of strikes (and nasty ones too, my favourite) as well as Ne Waza.

The competition aspect was developed more after the Second World War, as the USA banned all martial arts practice. They only allowed Judo when it was transformed into the sport you see today.

The author opined that Kano was saddened by this emphasis on sport, and that it is not true to say that he purposefully developed it this way.

Now I don't know either way, but there you go.

[Grape_Ape]

Judo blocks

The striking techniques in judo are called the Atemi Waza. They are rarely taught, but they do exist. They're also fairly straightforward so a good book would probably be enough to get the idea.

http://home.astrakan.hig.se/tommy/judo/atemiwaza.html

Check there for more info.

[ramus]

aikido or judo

dunno which to pick

[Grape_Ape]

Ramus: It really depends on why you want to learn it. What do you want to get out of it?