JUDO
Four Year budget: £6.947m
Medal Target: 2
Medals: 0
An other disastrous Games. Needs to find players who can throw or coaches who can teach them
Mark: 4/10
Daily Mail August 25th
So what has happened to Judo? I was lucky enough to be competing in the late 60’s 70’s and early 80’s when there were British stars like Brian Jacks, Dave Starbrook, Keith Remfry, Arthur Mapp, Neil Adams, Chris Bowles, Billy Ward, Paul Radburn I could go on, this was the hey day of British Judo so what has happened since then to make the Daily Mail make such terrible comment. The first question come to mind these guys received little or no money in their quest for Olympic fame most like myself had to work and feed a family, some had very generous parents but they could win Olympic medals. All the regulation that surrounds Judo today seems to be suffocating the art, some regulations make sense but the things like Club Mark and UKCC may be good on paper but in practise they restrict the introduction of new clubs, how many people are on the payroll of the BJA? Some I know are doing a good job especially those working with schools but what about the rest?
Yet after saying that is it really the BJA who are to blame for our failure I am not so sure I believe it is the rules of Judo and the referees who interpreted those rules for instance:
1) With hardly any groundwork would Neil Adams have time to apply his famous Sanku Techniques?
2) With grip changing become like a fair ground Kangaroo Boxing match would Dave Starbrook be able to do his legendary Tia Otoshi
3) With competitors scrabbling about on their knees would Paul Radburn get that big O Goshi which he was a famed for
Judo Competition has changed beyond recognition from my day and I would suggest that the IJF look closely at what was happening 20 years ago:
1) Upright Judo should return, as the restrictions where you can hold makes bent over Judo very negative. A lot of people complained that the Judo in the Olympics was like Sombo. All I can say these people have never seen World Class Sombo Wrestling it has devasting throw and is much more audience friendly.
2) More groundwork should be allowed this will stop players stalling by just dropping to their knees
3) Stop players attacking from their knees
4) Allow a minimum grip fighting and then penalise for passivity
By all means bring some modern things in, allow coloured Gi’s, change the antiquated Japanese Scoring and Hand signals, bring in signals which the audience can understand, take referees out of blazers, which make them look to officious and put them in Track bottoms and Polo shirts with different coloured sleeves like they do in Olympic Wrestling.
The Olympics should have been a show case for World Judo, this it certainly was not especially with its appalling referee’s decisions; maybe the time has come to add Kata to the Judo Olympics to allow the World wide audience to see the artistic side of the Sport, lots of other sports allow this type of competition. Some how Judo has to be rescued from the Bureaucrats in the IJF who are ruining the Art
Martin Clarke
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
What is Ippon
20. Ippon
I have taken an extract from the IJF rules please read. I have watched several competitions over the last year and Ippon’s are either given away far to easily or extremely hard, please read or am I the only one who still remembers what a correct Ippon is?
The Referee shall announce Ippon when in his opinion the applied technique corresponds to the following criteria:
a)
When a contestant with control throws the other contestant largely on his back with considerable force and speed.
My Comment: therefore throws such as O Uchi Gari can score Ippon as does Sumi Geashi, someone who attempts a sacrificial throw and fails does not necessarily have Ippon scored against them.
b)
When a contestant holds with Osaekomi-waza the other contestant, who is unable to get away for 25 seconds after the announcement of Osaekomi.
c)
When a contestant gives up by tapping twice or more with his hand or foot or says Maitta (I give up!) generally as a result of Osaekomi-waza, Shime-waza or Kansetsu-waza.
d)
When a contestant is incapacitated by the effect of a Shime-waza or Kansetsu-waza.
Equivalence: Should one contestant be penalised with Hansoku-make, the other contestant shall immediately be declared the winner
Simultaneous Ippons - See Article 19 (f) (4).
Simultaneous techniques: when both contestants fall to the Tatami after what appears to be simultaneous attacks, and the Referee and Judges cannot decide which technique dominated there should be no score awarded.
Should the Referee announce Ippon during Newaza in error and the contestants therefore separate, the Referee and Judges shall, if possible, and in accordance with the "majority of three" rule, replace the contestants into as close to their original positions as possible and restart the contest, if so doing will rectify an injustice to one of the contestants.
If one of the contestants deliberately makes a "bridge" (head and one foot or both feet in contact with the Tatami) after having been thrown - although he may have avoided the necessary criteria for Ippon, the Referee shall nonetheless award Ippon or any other score he considers the technique warrants, in order to discourage this action.
Using Kansetsu-waza in order to throw the opponent will not be considered for point scoring purposes
I have taken an extract from the IJF rules please read. I have watched several competitions over the last year and Ippon’s are either given away far to easily or extremely hard, please read or am I the only one who still remembers what a correct Ippon is?
The Referee shall announce Ippon when in his opinion the applied technique corresponds to the following criteria:
a)
When a contestant with control throws the other contestant largely on his back with considerable force and speed.
My Comment: therefore throws such as O Uchi Gari can score Ippon as does Sumi Geashi, someone who attempts a sacrificial throw and fails does not necessarily have Ippon scored against them.
b)
When a contestant holds with Osaekomi-waza the other contestant, who is unable to get away for 25 seconds after the announcement of Osaekomi.
c)
When a contestant gives up by tapping twice or more with his hand or foot or says Maitta (I give up!) generally as a result of Osaekomi-waza, Shime-waza or Kansetsu-waza.
d)
When a contestant is incapacitated by the effect of a Shime-waza or Kansetsu-waza.
Equivalence: Should one contestant be penalised with Hansoku-make, the other contestant shall immediately be declared the winner
Simultaneous Ippons - See Article 19 (f) (4).
Simultaneous techniques: when both contestants fall to the Tatami after what appears to be simultaneous attacks, and the Referee and Judges cannot decide which technique dominated there should be no score awarded.
Should the Referee announce Ippon during Newaza in error and the contestants therefore separate, the Referee and Judges shall, if possible, and in accordance with the "majority of three" rule, replace the contestants into as close to their original positions as possible and restart the contest, if so doing will rectify an injustice to one of the contestants.
If one of the contestants deliberately makes a "bridge" (head and one foot or both feet in contact with the Tatami) after having been thrown - although he may have avoided the necessary criteria for Ippon, the Referee shall nonetheless award Ippon or any other score he considers the technique warrants, in order to discourage this action.
Using Kansetsu-waza in order to throw the opponent will not be considered for point scoring purposes
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Ippon a New Book
A very good friend of mine Lurch (Ian Durie) from Scotland, is a prolific reader of Martial Arts Books and is extremely knowledgeable, he regular sends me down books to read. Most Martial Books are about : How to do i.e. explaining how to do techniques etc after 53 years training in Judo etc these become very tiresome, most authors are trying to convince the readers they have reinvented the wheel, next are auto biographies or biographies on how great they author is or how great the authors subject is. So when Lurch sent me the book entitled IPPON! “The fight for Judo’s soul” by David Hammond, I thought GOD have I really got to read this? Am I glad I did for this book is a little gem it relates the History of Judo from when Kano started and ends up explaining the history of British Judo, the author relates some of his own opinions which I found extremely interesting , although I thought he was bit hard on one of my mentors Geoff Gleeson. I have not me the author but he obviously understands what Judo is and you get a feeling reading the book that it was written by some who is passionate for the WAY of Judo to continue rather then slip into obis.
Ippon “The Fight for Judo” by Dave Hammond London League Publications Ltd PO Box 10441 London E14 8WR and all of you must read “The Pyjama Game”
One Final point although I have great respect for Jigaro Kano especially his Philosophies on Judo and its relationship with producing better Human Beings, I find it very hard to get my head round the fact that he did not start Jiu Jitsu until he was 17 years old and was a Master of 2 styles by the time he was 20 years old, some one who accordingly to legend was a “Physically weak boy”. I have taught Judo etc since I was 20 years old I am now 58 in 38 years I have never met or seen a Master at such a young age (I use the term Master in a Martial Arts context meaning ultimate practitioner) in fact I have met many Budoka from all over the World and would only suggest that a very few of them I would consider worthy of the title Master. By his early twenties he had invented Judo a completely new concept? Many years ago I wrote an article suggesting that Kano could have seen Cornishman practising Cornish Wrestling and suggested that this young man would have seen a concept unknown in Japan Fighting (Wrestling) without the intention of injuring your opponent and remaining friends after the bout, plus remember Jacket Wrestling is not unique to Japan. The Judo purist will pour scorn on me as some sort of anti Christ but it is not my intention to ridicule Kano you only have to read his life story to realise he was a remarkable man. What I am interested in is separating fact from fiction by questioning the myth, I would be very interested in a proper historian looking into greater depth into the early years of Jigaro Kano but he will need a n open mind.
Martin Clarke
Ippon “The Fight for Judo” by Dave Hammond London League Publications Ltd PO Box 10441 London E14 8WR and all of you must read “The Pyjama Game”
One Final point although I have great respect for Jigaro Kano especially his Philosophies on Judo and its relationship with producing better Human Beings, I find it very hard to get my head round the fact that he did not start Jiu Jitsu until he was 17 years old and was a Master of 2 styles by the time he was 20 years old, some one who accordingly to legend was a “Physically weak boy”. I have taught Judo etc since I was 20 years old I am now 58 in 38 years I have never met or seen a Master at such a young age (I use the term Master in a Martial Arts context meaning ultimate practitioner) in fact I have met many Budoka from all over the World and would only suggest that a very few of them I would consider worthy of the title Master. By his early twenties he had invented Judo a completely new concept? Many years ago I wrote an article suggesting that Kano could have seen Cornishman practising Cornish Wrestling and suggested that this young man would have seen a concept unknown in Japan Fighting (Wrestling) without the intention of injuring your opponent and remaining friends after the bout, plus remember Jacket Wrestling is not unique to Japan. The Judo purist will pour scorn on me as some sort of anti Christ but it is not my intention to ridicule Kano you only have to read his life story to realise he was a remarkable man. What I am interested in is separating fact from fiction by questioning the myth, I would be very interested in a proper historian looking into greater depth into the early years of Jigaro Kano but he will need a n open mind.
Martin Clarke
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Crawling Judo
Take a look at this video from the World Games Judo, this is an event that should be a showcase for Judo. Once you have watched it you can understand why TV does not want to broadcast Judo, you will see diving at the legs hanging on to the trousers, crawling across the mat on hands and knees, total Jigotai stance. All these things you tell a junior beginner not to do and all of this could be corrected by the referee giving out penalties for passive Judo. If the International Judo Federation call this Top Grade refereeing they should hang their heads in shame.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
3 Bronzes at Kent International
3 Bronzes in BJA Kent International
Members of the Young Judo Club participated in the British Judo Associations Kent International Judo Championships which was held at Corydon Leisure Centre over two weekends. This was only the 2nd year that members of the YJC have entered this prestigious event, last year John Clarke won a Bronze medal. This year it was the turn of the Carrott Brothers Lee and Danny to come back with a very hard fought Bronze, the following weekend Jamie Marzetti made it a further Bronze in the under 16 year class. The club entered the 2 seniors and 3 Juniors Ben Franks and Ashley Jordan both had two fights and lost both of them in what was a very hard competition. The YJC has now got its own Video site www.dailymotion.com/youngjudoclub at present it has matches from the recent International in Enschede Holland, 1991 Nobby Clarke Memorial Championships and the BJA Kent International apart from a general interest for members and the public others can make a detailed examination. All contributors to newspapers and magazines are inclined guild the Lilly slightly when reporting on club members these videos help to relay exactly what happened. Martin Clarke was not at the competition but because of this latest technology could analyse the matches, the one thing that he commented on that he thought that both the Carrott Brothers should have won Gold Lee fitness was a little suspect and this put his timing out and considering this was his first International with BJA (he entered as a Novice as he is yet to be graded with this organisation) he could have great future with the Governing Body but he must train regular instead of relying on natural ability. Brother Danny goes from strength to strength he performed some spectacular Ippon throws and only lost on a rather dubious Ippon by a throw which was initiated by him; Danny and his girlfriend Debbie Jackson have been selected for the World Sombo Championships in St Petersburg Russia in November. Martin commented that the Ippon throw (the equivalent to a knockout in Boxing) has changed radically in the last 15 years if you look at the 1991 championships and the 2008 you can see, to make a boxing analogy in 1991 the 10 count would be 20 seconds and in 2008 it takes 5 seconds both are wrong because it should take 10 seconds. Members of the public can also see different videos clips of the Club, some going back as far as the early 70’s on You Tube sadly the quality is not that high as some have been transferred from standard 8 films, log on to YouTube then type in either IBFUK or IBFBCSA or Britishsombo .
Any one interested in learning all forms of Judo should log on www.youngjudoclub.co.uk email youngjudoclub@yahooo.co.uk telephone 01795 437124
Members of the Young Judo Club participated in the British Judo Associations Kent International Judo Championships which was held at Corydon Leisure Centre over two weekends. This was only the 2nd year that members of the YJC have entered this prestigious event, last year John Clarke won a Bronze medal. This year it was the turn of the Carrott Brothers Lee and Danny to come back with a very hard fought Bronze, the following weekend Jamie Marzetti made it a further Bronze in the under 16 year class. The club entered the 2 seniors and 3 Juniors Ben Franks and Ashley Jordan both had two fights and lost both of them in what was a very hard competition. The YJC has now got its own Video site www.dailymotion.com/youngjudoclub at present it has matches from the recent International in Enschede Holland, 1991 Nobby Clarke Memorial Championships and the BJA Kent International apart from a general interest for members and the public others can make a detailed examination. All contributors to newspapers and magazines are inclined guild the Lilly slightly when reporting on club members these videos help to relay exactly what happened. Martin Clarke was not at the competition but because of this latest technology could analyse the matches, the one thing that he commented on that he thought that both the Carrott Brothers should have won Gold Lee fitness was a little suspect and this put his timing out and considering this was his first International with BJA (he entered as a Novice as he is yet to be graded with this organisation) he could have great future with the Governing Body but he must train regular instead of relying on natural ability. Brother Danny goes from strength to strength he performed some spectacular Ippon throws and only lost on a rather dubious Ippon by a throw which was initiated by him; Danny and his girlfriend Debbie Jackson have been selected for the World Sombo Championships in St Petersburg Russia in November. Martin commented that the Ippon throw (the equivalent to a knockout in Boxing) has changed radically in the last 15 years if you look at the 1991 championships and the 2008 you can see, to make a boxing analogy in 1991 the 10 count would be 20 seconds and in 2008 it takes 5 seconds both are wrong because it should take 10 seconds. Members of the public can also see different videos clips of the Club, some going back as far as the early 70’s on You Tube sadly the quality is not that high as some have been transferred from standard 8 films, log on to YouTube then type in either IBFUK or IBFBCSA or Britishsombo .
Any one interested in learning all forms of Judo should log on www.youngjudoclub.co.uk email youngjudoclub@yahooo.co.uk telephone 01795 437124
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Judo Rules need to change So do Referees
JUDO RULES NEED TO CHANGE SO DO REFEREES
Over the last 20 years my interest in Judo has been through the International Budo Federation but I have been very active on World Wide Basis with Sombo/Sambo the latter being very important to what about to say.
The last couple of years IBF members have been allowed to become members of the UK Governing body for Judo the British Judo Association, I have encouraged IBF members to join the BJA as long as they still join the IBF. Many of those who opposed allowing the IBF members to hold membership would ague that what is the point of holding two licenses the simple answer is in the name the IBF is a multi style Martial Arts and Combat Discipline association. For one license you can do all the Martial Arts plus many grappling styles including plus through the IBF you become members of the UK Governing Body for Sombo/Sambo the British Sombo Federation. Even our IBF members suggested that we could lose out by affiliating to the BJA my response was that if the IBF was any good it would survive if not it would collapse two years on we are still here and stronger.
Before we joined the BJA we would continually be accused of being out of touch with modern day competition Judo until IBF members started to use the BJA I saw no need to change what has been a reasonably good system. With members also holding BJA membership and with our own IBF INTERNATIONAL body moving to pure IJF rules time had come for me to move with the times, so I have read through the IJF rules (that was something of an achievement) watched BJA/IJF tournaments, listened to BJA officials and competitors, I am sorry to say I barely recognised the Sport I was involved with in as a potential Olympian in the mid 1970’s to the early 1980’s.
I watched several video from World, European, World Cup Championships and all I could see was 6 minutes of Judoka fighting for grips and never committing themselves 100% to a throw, heaven help us if one of the competitors scored a minor score to create a lead because then it would become an endurance test for both competitor and spectator. Yet you could not blame the competitors they fight according to the rules and it is the rules or shall I say the interpretation of the rules that are bad for Judo. The refereeing I have seen has been quite frank appalling back in the 70’s and 80’s there was a lot of rivalry between the different Judo Associations but the one thing most agreed the BJA had the best referees, this can not be said of today. Some will say here goes Clarkee insulting the BJA on the contrary, I would not have suggested that my members join the BJA if I was not impressed with their innovative approach to Judo but if I and others must be allowed to make some constructive criticism. BJA referees have the same problem we have in the IBF NO ONE wants to be a referee so inexperienced referees are getting to centre referee before they are ready.
Here are a few suggestions that may help:
In the IBF we always try and put our most experience referees on first this normally sets the standard for the whole competition, if during the day the refereeing standard start dropping the Senior Refereeing then reinstates the more experience referee to centre stage. Lets all of us stop insulting referees all that does is alienate them and entrenches them into bad habits, when they are finished congratulate them and thank them for giving up their day, when they feel appreciated they may listen to constructive criticism and why not give a Referee of the day award.
Years ago I wrote an article and suggested to be a referee you need not be a Judoka! For if the rules simple and straight forward any one should be able to understand them and referee. My point was if you want spectators to watch Judo to make it more popular, you have to make it is more visual and its scoring must be apparent in 10 minutes. Have a look at Sombo Wrestling another Jacket Wrestling sport, Total Victory Throw on back remain standing submission by arm lock or leg lock, you can also throw for 4pts, 2pts, 1pt, hold on the ground 2pts and 4pts. To win Total Victory, 12pt margin or end of time highest score. One player in Red one in Blue, referee wear Red and Blue sleeves, any score for the relevant colour indicated with relevant arm all scores given with fingers, start and stop on a whistle. Obviously there is more to it that what I have written but to someone who never seen Sombo it is a very easy start. Try and explain Judo in 5 lines? Because Judo rules are far more complicated all referees must have reasonable standard of Judo knowledge especially in what constitutes a throw. The one glaring example is sacrificial throws it seems that referees over the past few years have been told to be more generous with Ippon’s, I expect the idea was to encourage bigger throws. Yet what has happened as soon as someone back touches the ground they give Ippon even if you have made a failed attempt at a sacrifice throw i.e. Tome Nage.
Radical changes need to be made if Judo is to survive as Olympic Sport a complete overall of the scoring, eliminating boxing for grips, there is a need to watch and learn from other Jacket Wrestling forms i.e. Sombo, Kurash, Mongolian Style, Georgian even our own Cornish but then again if Judo was taken out of the Olympics for a while it may refresh it?
The only organisation who can do this is the International Judo Federation and the group who have influence with them is the BJA, so if we want Judo to survive we all need to get behind them and support them. They realised they need the smaller associations and we must realise we need them.
Martin Clarke IBF 8th Dan
Over the last 20 years my interest in Judo has been through the International Budo Federation but I have been very active on World Wide Basis with Sombo/Sambo the latter being very important to what about to say.
The last couple of years IBF members have been allowed to become members of the UK Governing body for Judo the British Judo Association, I have encouraged IBF members to join the BJA as long as they still join the IBF. Many of those who opposed allowing the IBF members to hold membership would ague that what is the point of holding two licenses the simple answer is in the name the IBF is a multi style Martial Arts and Combat Discipline association. For one license you can do all the Martial Arts plus many grappling styles including plus through the IBF you become members of the UK Governing Body for Sombo/Sambo the British Sombo Federation. Even our IBF members suggested that we could lose out by affiliating to the BJA my response was that if the IBF was any good it would survive if not it would collapse two years on we are still here and stronger.
Before we joined the BJA we would continually be accused of being out of touch with modern day competition Judo until IBF members started to use the BJA I saw no need to change what has been a reasonably good system. With members also holding BJA membership and with our own IBF INTERNATIONAL body moving to pure IJF rules time had come for me to move with the times, so I have read through the IJF rules (that was something of an achievement) watched BJA/IJF tournaments, listened to BJA officials and competitors, I am sorry to say I barely recognised the Sport I was involved with in as a potential Olympian in the mid 1970’s to the early 1980’s.
I watched several video from World, European, World Cup Championships and all I could see was 6 minutes of Judoka fighting for grips and never committing themselves 100% to a throw, heaven help us if one of the competitors scored a minor score to create a lead because then it would become an endurance test for both competitor and spectator. Yet you could not blame the competitors they fight according to the rules and it is the rules or shall I say the interpretation of the rules that are bad for Judo. The refereeing I have seen has been quite frank appalling back in the 70’s and 80’s there was a lot of rivalry between the different Judo Associations but the one thing most agreed the BJA had the best referees, this can not be said of today. Some will say here goes Clarkee insulting the BJA on the contrary, I would not have suggested that my members join the BJA if I was not impressed with their innovative approach to Judo but if I and others must be allowed to make some constructive criticism. BJA referees have the same problem we have in the IBF NO ONE wants to be a referee so inexperienced referees are getting to centre referee before they are ready.
Here are a few suggestions that may help:
In the IBF we always try and put our most experience referees on first this normally sets the standard for the whole competition, if during the day the refereeing standard start dropping the Senior Refereeing then reinstates the more experience referee to centre stage. Lets all of us stop insulting referees all that does is alienate them and entrenches them into bad habits, when they are finished congratulate them and thank them for giving up their day, when they feel appreciated they may listen to constructive criticism and why not give a Referee of the day award.
Years ago I wrote an article and suggested to be a referee you need not be a Judoka! For if the rules simple and straight forward any one should be able to understand them and referee. My point was if you want spectators to watch Judo to make it more popular, you have to make it is more visual and its scoring must be apparent in 10 minutes. Have a look at Sombo Wrestling another Jacket Wrestling sport, Total Victory Throw on back remain standing submission by arm lock or leg lock, you can also throw for 4pts, 2pts, 1pt, hold on the ground 2pts and 4pts. To win Total Victory, 12pt margin or end of time highest score. One player in Red one in Blue, referee wear Red and Blue sleeves, any score for the relevant colour indicated with relevant arm all scores given with fingers, start and stop on a whistle. Obviously there is more to it that what I have written but to someone who never seen Sombo it is a very easy start. Try and explain Judo in 5 lines? Because Judo rules are far more complicated all referees must have reasonable standard of Judo knowledge especially in what constitutes a throw. The one glaring example is sacrificial throws it seems that referees over the past few years have been told to be more generous with Ippon’s, I expect the idea was to encourage bigger throws. Yet what has happened as soon as someone back touches the ground they give Ippon even if you have made a failed attempt at a sacrifice throw i.e. Tome Nage.
Radical changes need to be made if Judo is to survive as Olympic Sport a complete overall of the scoring, eliminating boxing for grips, there is a need to watch and learn from other Jacket Wrestling forms i.e. Sombo, Kurash, Mongolian Style, Georgian even our own Cornish but then again if Judo was taken out of the Olympics for a while it may refresh it?
The only organisation who can do this is the International Judo Federation and the group who have influence with them is the BJA, so if we want Judo to survive we all need to get behind them and support them. They realised they need the smaller associations and we must realise we need them.
Martin Clarke IBF 8th Dan
Monday, June 16, 2008
John retires
My Son John Clarke 4th Dan Judo has decided to retire from Senior Judo, Sombo, and Kurash Tournaments at 34 years of age it is about the right time and something I recommended especially as he has trouble with a Knee injury which he got from Football. I unfortunately continued competing ignoring injuries now I have to have a new knee and new hip due to not listening to others and my body, this I do not want to happen to John. His last event was on Sunday where he was selected for the BJA Southern Area Team to compete in the National Team Championships in Kendal Cumbria, his team won a Bronze. John new the event would be hard one with all the competitors being a lot younger then him and in the peak of fitness especially as it was Olympic year but what he was not prepared for was the interpretation of the rules used by the referees, John uses a lot of techniques which rely on him sacrificing his own body weight to throw his opponent this is called Ma Sutemi Waza, this can be high risk as you have to rely on the referees understanding something about Judo. The referees at this event thought if you placed your back on the floor to throw your opponent your opponent should be given a score, this happened once before when John was 18 years old in the World Youths Sombo Champions where he was fighting an American he threw the American for a perfect sacrificial throw only to have the score put against him losing him a place in the finals. John telephoned and was quite philosophical about the event, he said “ I should have done my homework checking on these new rule changes plus I have been enough tournaments to realise you should check out the referees on the day and how they are performing” after all that he enjoyed the weekend felt proud to be a member of the Southern Area Team plus there was some good Judo in spite of the refereeing
I have been lucky in being a successful competitor and also being a successful coach and over the years have got a great deal of pleasure in watching my students succeeding in all aspects of Judo, Sombo, Free Style Wrestling, Kurash and Belt Wrestling yet the ultimate joy is to see you own Son/Pupil excel. John has given many people a lot of pleasure over his competition career and he has given me the most, well done Son you have been a great competitor and I am very proud of you.
Some of John’s successes
Judo:
4th Dan Black Belt
Many Times IBF National Judo Champion Junior and Senior
IBF Great Britain Team member
Medal winner BJA International Event
Sombo:
World u16 years Silver
World u21 years 5th
World Senior 7th
Many Times British Champion
Kurash:
2 x International Tournament Champion
Free Style Wrestling
Silver u18 years British Championship
Belt Wrestling:
British Champion x 2
John may have finished competing in Senior events but he still will be coaching the Senior Club and will be taking a competitive Junior Section and entering a few Masters events, these are competitions for the older players and divided into age groups as well as weight groups. The Masters Events are much more laid back with not quite so much testosterone flying about, more a meeting of like minded individual.
Martin Clarke 8th Dan GrandMaster Sombo
More info www.sittingbourne.org ibfbcsa@yahoo.co.uk 01795 437124
I have been lucky in being a successful competitor and also being a successful coach and over the years have got a great deal of pleasure in watching my students succeeding in all aspects of Judo, Sombo, Free Style Wrestling, Kurash and Belt Wrestling yet the ultimate joy is to see you own Son/Pupil excel. John has given many people a lot of pleasure over his competition career and he has given me the most, well done Son you have been a great competitor and I am very proud of you.
Some of John’s successes
Judo:
4th Dan Black Belt
Many Times IBF National Judo Champion Junior and Senior
IBF Great Britain Team member
Medal winner BJA International Event
Sombo:
World u16 years Silver
World u21 years 5th
World Senior 7th
Many Times British Champion
Kurash:
2 x International Tournament Champion
Free Style Wrestling
Silver u18 years British Championship
Belt Wrestling:
British Champion x 2
John may have finished competing in Senior events but he still will be coaching the Senior Club and will be taking a competitive Junior Section and entering a few Masters events, these are competitions for the older players and divided into age groups as well as weight groups. The Masters Events are much more laid back with not quite so much testosterone flying about, more a meeting of like minded individual.
Martin Clarke 8th Dan GrandMaster Sombo
More info www.sittingbourne.org ibfbcsa@yahoo.co.uk 01795 437124
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
You Tube
I always thought You Tube was for nerds and happy slappers, how wrong I have been. Since the British Open Sombo in April I have been hooked not for the stupid stuff but the Combat. I have created several sites for the IBF/BCSA they are "BritishSombo" "IBFBCSA" "IBFUK" so have a look and if you have your own site let me know and I will pass it on. For those into Judo I have just found the perfect Kata for young competitve Judoka have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNRXC-K6vgM&feature=related
email me and let me know what you think
email me and let me know what you think
Thursday, April 17, 2008
BJA GRADING SYLABUS I HAVE DOUBTS
Since the BJA have opened their doors to other associations, members of the Young Judo Club (Sittingbourne Judo School) have taken out BJA membership taking gradings, coaching awards and entering competitions with some success. Although I am not involved personally with the BJA administration, I do hold a BJA license and as my students are part of the organisation I do take an interest in what the BJA are doing, this brings me to the BJA Syllabus for Grade Promotion.
The first thing I noticed they have returned to the 6 Kyu grades rather then having upper and lower grades, I preferred the latter and some years ago the IBF accepted this system something we will not change. I also noticed that they have copied the system we have used for 20 years where they can examine at Club level up to 1st Kyu, this better for the students and puts revenue into the club.
What I do not agree with is that there is not a competitive element i.e. contest to the grading syllabus to 1st Kyu, I strongly believe to understand Judo technically and philosophically you need a contest section. Contest helps to develop your mind and body plus you get a better grasp of the techniques you are learning. If Judoka do not enter Competitions where will our future Olympians come from, with the restrictive of how you can grade you can only go up one grade at a time and have to wait 3 months between successful gradings the earliest you can obtain 1st is 14 months, there seem to be no allowance for exceptional athletes or players crossing over from similar sports i.e. Sombo or Kurash. A couple of well known names of the 1970’s were Dave Starbrook Olympic Silver I believe he gained his 1st in less the a year and Vass Morrison was the same ( I hope I got that right). The B JA seems to go from one extreme to another one moment there is no theory for gradings only contest now it has changed completely the other way. I understand why they are doing it because society has become soft and weak and with Judo in decline they have rightly so tried another direction they may be right and we have to water down Judo and I am most probably wrong as I see no deed to drop to the lowest common denominator, maybe it time that we all tried to climb up the pit rather then slide further in?
On the Syllabus itself it seems quite reasonable with the exception of the throws in the 6th Kyu syllabus, the one thing you learn when teaching beginners is that they are afraid to be thrown, so teaching Tia Otoshi in my opinion should be first throw taught, This throw teaches the student to turn their body, it is an easily controlled throw which can be done slowly and is what Geoff Gleeson called a Roller throw your opponent rolls around the leg and does not fall heavy. I have never taught De Ashi Baria to beginners but can see that it can teach the basics of Judo if you must teach a Hip throw surely it must be O Goshi but I would prefer O Soto Gari an easily controlled throw with out heavy landing or should I say can be. The three Tia Otoshi, O Soto Gari and De Ashi Baria can easily linked to form combinations and even counters.
I will admit syllabuses like these are common but learning by ROTE which this is ,does not encourage spontaneity. Improvisation and individual talent all the credential that make a champion.,my grid system (Discovery Method)I developed years ago where every Judoka was treated as an individual was better but it was highly complex for the low coach to master and sadly my on IBF Membership rejected it.
My article is not meant to offend but just a method of throwing a couple ideas about hopefully some one will come back with constructive criticism
Martin Clarke 8th Dan
The first thing I noticed they have returned to the 6 Kyu grades rather then having upper and lower grades, I preferred the latter and some years ago the IBF accepted this system something we will not change. I also noticed that they have copied the system we have used for 20 years where they can examine at Club level up to 1st Kyu, this better for the students and puts revenue into the club.
What I do not agree with is that there is not a competitive element i.e. contest to the grading syllabus to 1st Kyu, I strongly believe to understand Judo technically and philosophically you need a contest section. Contest helps to develop your mind and body plus you get a better grasp of the techniques you are learning. If Judoka do not enter Competitions where will our future Olympians come from, with the restrictive of how you can grade you can only go up one grade at a time and have to wait 3 months between successful gradings the earliest you can obtain 1st is 14 months, there seem to be no allowance for exceptional athletes or players crossing over from similar sports i.e. Sombo or Kurash. A couple of well known names of the 1970’s were Dave Starbrook Olympic Silver I believe he gained his 1st in less the a year and Vass Morrison was the same ( I hope I got that right). The B JA seems to go from one extreme to another one moment there is no theory for gradings only contest now it has changed completely the other way. I understand why they are doing it because society has become soft and weak and with Judo in decline they have rightly so tried another direction they may be right and we have to water down Judo and I am most probably wrong as I see no deed to drop to the lowest common denominator, maybe it time that we all tried to climb up the pit rather then slide further in?
On the Syllabus itself it seems quite reasonable with the exception of the throws in the 6th Kyu syllabus, the one thing you learn when teaching beginners is that they are afraid to be thrown, so teaching Tia Otoshi in my opinion should be first throw taught, This throw teaches the student to turn their body, it is an easily controlled throw which can be done slowly and is what Geoff Gleeson called a Roller throw your opponent rolls around the leg and does not fall heavy. I have never taught De Ashi Baria to beginners but can see that it can teach the basics of Judo if you must teach a Hip throw surely it must be O Goshi but I would prefer O Soto Gari an easily controlled throw with out heavy landing or should I say can be. The three Tia Otoshi, O Soto Gari and De Ashi Baria can easily linked to form combinations and even counters.
I will admit syllabuses like these are common but learning by ROTE which this is ,does not encourage spontaneity. Improvisation and individual talent all the credential that make a champion.,my grid system (Discovery Method)I developed years ago where every Judoka was treated as an individual was better but it was highly complex for the low coach to master and sadly my on IBF Membership rejected it.
My article is not meant to offend but just a method of throwing a couple ideas about hopefully some one will come back with constructive criticism
Martin Clarke 8th Dan
CRB Checks more expense for the Volunteer Coach
CRB Checks more expense for the Volunteer Coach.
When the Criminal Record Bureau was first formed my organisation the International Budo Federation applied to become a Registered Body at a fee of a few Hundred pounds. Recently our registration has been withdrawn because we have insufficient numbers last year we registered just under 100 people. I have complained stating the following , “I do not see what numbers have to do with matters it is no more expensive dealing with a small organisation like ourselves then it is dealing with a larger one or is just about putting money into larger organisation pockets so they can create more bureaucratic places for their staff”
My main complaint is that when the IBF organised CRB registration there was no charge for Volunteers this is the reply I received “ With regards to your coaches having to pay for a CRB check through an Umbrella Body, I can advise you that as long as the position applied for meets our definition of a ‘volunteer’, then the resultant Disclosure will be processed free of charge. However, I am aware that there would more than likely be an administrative charge levied by an Umbrella Body. Therefore, it would be advisable to contact a number of Umbrella Bodies to find the one that is more suitable for your requirements.” That admin charge can vary from £15 up to treble figures per Volunteer.
Being a Volunteer Coach in NU Labour Britain is becoming a very expensive hobby, gone are the days when you can be a well meaning person who wants to help out coaching a few kids to give them something to do. Before you can you can coach today you have to do the following:
1) Attend a Coaching Course in your sport cost vary from a few pounds to hundred of pounds. The recently formed United Kingdom Coaching Certificate want everyone by 2012 to have a UKCC award. To obtain an Assistant Coach award, where you literally assist a coach, is expected to cost in the region of £250 a Level 1 Coach could cost a £1000 . At the moment this will not be a legal requirement but with Gordon Brown signing up to the EU Constitution there is nothing stopping the EU making it a legal requirement.
2) Once qualifying you have to attend Annual refresher courses
3) You will need a CRB check cost is mentioned above
4) You will need to attend a Child Protection Course annually
5) You will need a First Aid certificate
6) You will need to up to date on the rules of the sport
7) You will need Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance
All of this because a person wants to help young people, everything listed above are good ideas my main problem is the cost, under Nu Labour we have seen a steady erosion of discipline and respect from young people, drugs and alcohol abuse is running out of control, our young people are being brought up with no ethic or morals. Sport has ben proven to help combat all these problems, so the government should be paying all those Coaches and helpers or at least pay for these various courses, anyone who gives up their time to help young people should be helped and encouraged. Before some politician say it is not cost effective I would disagree producing better young people with high morals and ethics will pay us back many fold.
My organisation the IBF/BCSA has now decide because of the extra cost and complaints from our Volunteers ( who have threatened to resign on mass because of the CRB’s decision) that a CRB check is recommended not compulsory. It took a lot of persuasion in the first place to get our Volunteers to apply for a CRB check as most considered insulting that you are considered a threat to children until you receive a CRB check GUILTY till proven INNOCENT.
To finalise our friends at the CRB tell us that it not a legal requirement to have a CRB check but:
Quote from a letter from the CRB
“Turning to your comments that you will now not insist on your coaches to undertake a CRB check unless the funds are available, I should explain that neither Part V of the Police Act 1997 nor the Exceptions Order 1975 to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 makes checks compulsory. However, there are other pieces of legislation which make checks mandatory, for example it is compulsory for childcare organisations (as defined in the Act) to undertake checks of the Protection of Children’s Act (P0CA) list and List 99 for those working in regulated positions. Furthermore, there is a statutory requirement on care providers who are planning to employ a care worker in a care home or through a domiciliary care agency to check whether that person is included in the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (P0VA) list.”
Does the Children’s Act affect Sports Organisations?
Martin Clarke
President IBF/BCSA UK
When the Criminal Record Bureau was first formed my organisation the International Budo Federation applied to become a Registered Body at a fee of a few Hundred pounds. Recently our registration has been withdrawn because we have insufficient numbers last year we registered just under 100 people. I have complained stating the following , “I do not see what numbers have to do with matters it is no more expensive dealing with a small organisation like ourselves then it is dealing with a larger one or is just about putting money into larger organisation pockets so they can create more bureaucratic places for their staff”
My main complaint is that when the IBF organised CRB registration there was no charge for Volunteers this is the reply I received “ With regards to your coaches having to pay for a CRB check through an Umbrella Body, I can advise you that as long as the position applied for meets our definition of a ‘volunteer’, then the resultant Disclosure will be processed free of charge. However, I am aware that there would more than likely be an administrative charge levied by an Umbrella Body. Therefore, it would be advisable to contact a number of Umbrella Bodies to find the one that is more suitable for your requirements.” That admin charge can vary from £15 up to treble figures per Volunteer.
Being a Volunteer Coach in NU Labour Britain is becoming a very expensive hobby, gone are the days when you can be a well meaning person who wants to help out coaching a few kids to give them something to do. Before you can you can coach today you have to do the following:
1) Attend a Coaching Course in your sport cost vary from a few pounds to hundred of pounds. The recently formed United Kingdom Coaching Certificate want everyone by 2012 to have a UKCC award. To obtain an Assistant Coach award, where you literally assist a coach, is expected to cost in the region of £250 a Level 1 Coach could cost a £1000 . At the moment this will not be a legal requirement but with Gordon Brown signing up to the EU Constitution there is nothing stopping the EU making it a legal requirement.
2) Once qualifying you have to attend Annual refresher courses
3) You will need a CRB check cost is mentioned above
4) You will need to attend a Child Protection Course annually
5) You will need a First Aid certificate
6) You will need to up to date on the rules of the sport
7) You will need Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance
All of this because a person wants to help young people, everything listed above are good ideas my main problem is the cost, under Nu Labour we have seen a steady erosion of discipline and respect from young people, drugs and alcohol abuse is running out of control, our young people are being brought up with no ethic or morals. Sport has ben proven to help combat all these problems, so the government should be paying all those Coaches and helpers or at least pay for these various courses, anyone who gives up their time to help young people should be helped and encouraged. Before some politician say it is not cost effective I would disagree producing better young people with high morals and ethics will pay us back many fold.
My organisation the IBF/BCSA has now decide because of the extra cost and complaints from our Volunteers ( who have threatened to resign on mass because of the CRB’s decision) that a CRB check is recommended not compulsory. It took a lot of persuasion in the first place to get our Volunteers to apply for a CRB check as most considered insulting that you are considered a threat to children until you receive a CRB check GUILTY till proven INNOCENT.
To finalise our friends at the CRB tell us that it not a legal requirement to have a CRB check but:
Quote from a letter from the CRB
“Turning to your comments that you will now not insist on your coaches to undertake a CRB check unless the funds are available, I should explain that neither Part V of the Police Act 1997 nor the Exceptions Order 1975 to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 makes checks compulsory. However, there are other pieces of legislation which make checks mandatory, for example it is compulsory for childcare organisations (as defined in the Act) to undertake checks of the Protection of Children’s Act (P0CA) list and List 99 for those working in regulated positions. Furthermore, there is a statutory requirement on care providers who are planning to employ a care worker in a care home or through a domiciliary care agency to check whether that person is included in the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (P0VA) list.”
Does the Children’s Act affect Sports Organisations?
Martin Clarke
President IBF/BCSA UK
Thursday, April 10, 2008
HELL CATS DO WELL AT BRITISH SCHOOLS CHAMPIOSHIP
Ten girls from the Bedford High Hellcats attended the British Schools Individual Championships in Cardiff on April 29th. This was a very well attended competition with about 350 entries further ionfo can be found on http://www.budo-ibf.co.uk/bedford_hell_cats_do_the_ibf_pro.htm
The BSJA is a very strange organisation it offers really good Tournaments but keeps them a secret or can this just be the Kent section. I have yet to be sent information on any Kent Schools event even though I have asked on many occasions, one would have thought they would have welcomed more competitors. When I taught in Schools and was Chairman of the Kent Schools Judo Association and founder of the Swale Schools Judo Association I had several British Champions and I also remember Craig Scott and Marcella O'Hare being Internationals with them both of these are now in their 40's. If any of you young Judoka get a chance to compete in these Schools Event I am sure you will enjoy the experience.
Martin Clarke 8th Dan IBF UK President
The BSJA is a very strange organisation it offers really good Tournaments but keeps them a secret or can this just be the Kent section. I have yet to be sent information on any Kent Schools event even though I have asked on many occasions, one would have thought they would have welcomed more competitors. When I taught in Schools and was Chairman of the Kent Schools Judo Association and founder of the Swale Schools Judo Association I had several British Champions and I also remember Craig Scott and Marcella O'Hare being Internationals with them both of these are now in their 40's. If any of you young Judoka get a chance to compete in these Schools Event I am sure you will enjoy the experience.
Martin Clarke 8th Dan IBF UK President
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Warriors at British Sombo Open
Sittingbourne Warriors Grappling Academy once again dominated British Sombo Wrestling by winning a total of 6 Gold’s, 5 Silver and 5 Bronzes, that is 6 out of the 15 titles went to a warrior member an unbelievable achievement. It was the junior section of the warriors that kept the club as the No 1 club in the country with their magnificent achievement. In two categories they took all three places.
14 year old Ashley Jordan won the lightweight cat u30 kilo having some stiff competition from the Germans, Liam Allen has improved a great deal in the last few months and looks to become another regular medal winner he won Gold u35 kilo, Ben Franks Gold u40 kilo he along with Jamie Marzetti Gold u74 kilo are both very successful medal winners and are prepared to travel any where in GB and Europe to compete both are participating in the IBF Multi Nation Judo Championships Holland in May. Jamie now training with the adults has shown a great improvement. All the boys are members of the Young Judo Club as well and are very lucky for they have the chance to compete in many different style of grappling such as Judo, Kurash, Sombo, Belt wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling no other club in GB offers all these styles. With youngsters today more interested in Computers, music, cloths and booze you have to admire these boys for keeping up a very hard competitive sport.
Our seniors did not fare so well this year mainly because of the exceptional high standard of the foreign contingent, the club also fielded several new fighters who although unplaced did exceptional well. Danny Carrott won Gold in the u90 kilo class this what the local people wanted to see men’s u90 kilo class . Last July Warriors Coach travelled the Scottish Open and in the final of the u90k was soundly beaten by local Scotsman Johannes Alder, John’s pride was very dented but this defeat did him good as he trained extra hard to put up one of his best ever performance in the Worlds. John wanted revenge but a knee injury prevented him from entering. So it was decided to put 21 year old Danny Carrott up a weight to take on Johannes who I might add has been 6 times British Champion. At 35 Johannes has loads of experience but although only 21 Danny is no slouch he has had several International caps as well as represent GB in the 2007 World Championships. The fight would very tactical as both players knew one little mistake would be their defeat, the match was set for 5 minutes and as expected both players were very cagey but no one would have thought that with only 5 seconds on the board there would no score. Then it happened a momentary loss of concentration on the behalf of Johannes and Danny was in catching his opponent with 2 pt side drop throw to take the title as you can imagine there was a great deal of celebration in the crowd but Johannes was gracious in defeat and congratulated Danny. Johannes has been a great champion but the old must make way for the young. Karl Swindle a Brown Belt Judo player had his first outing in Sombo he won Bronze in Men’s o 100 kilo plus and then Gold in the Veterans on each occasion he two beat 2 x World Masters bronze medallist Darren Richardson in his last match it was with a 12 point victory.
Our next big event is at the Swallows Sittingbourne on April 20th Young Judo Club Open then of to Holland in May. The highest placed player can also take part in the EU Sambo Wrestling Championships in Bulgaria in September; Danny Carrott has secured his place for the World Championships in Russian during November 2008 but will most probably be asked to drop to u82 kilo.
John Clarke Warriors Coach has had a great honour bestowed upon him the World federation for Kurash has asked each Country to select athletes to go on an all expenses trip to Uzbekistan to participate in there bi-annual World Prize money Kurash Tournament only athletes who are World class can participate and John was the first choice of the British Kurash federation. Sadly John who is a PE Teacher at Sittingbourne Community College can not go for two reasons 1) niggled knee injure 2) it during school term and he feels his first duty is to his pupils and his school
Anyone interested in Judo Sombo etc can contact us on www.youngjudoclub.co.uk www.sittingbourne.org youngjudoclub@yahoo.co.uk or visit Swale martial arts club East Street Sittingbourne
results British open Sombo 23 rd march 2008
ASHLEY JORDAN
U30
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
LIAM ALLEN
U35
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
FRAZER STEVENS
SILVER
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
CIARAN MILLS
BRONZE
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
BEN FRANKS
U40
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
LIAM ALLEN
SILVER
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
MAX HALL
BRONZE
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
KIERAN ALLEN
u45
SILVER
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
BEN GLUCK
u55
SILVER
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
KIERAN ALLEN
BRONZE
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
JAMIE MARZETTI
U74
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
BEN GLUCK
men u62
BRONZE
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
KEIRAN DANIELS
u74
SILVER
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
EDGAR KUDZHOYAN
BRONZE
DYNAMO GLASGOW
SCOTLAND
DANNY CARROTT
U90
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
CARL SWINDELL
o100
BRONZE
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
VETERANS
CARL SWINDELL
HEAVY
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
14 year old Ashley Jordan won the lightweight cat u30 kilo having some stiff competition from the Germans, Liam Allen has improved a great deal in the last few months and looks to become another regular medal winner he won Gold u35 kilo, Ben Franks Gold u40 kilo he along with Jamie Marzetti Gold u74 kilo are both very successful medal winners and are prepared to travel any where in GB and Europe to compete both are participating in the IBF Multi Nation Judo Championships Holland in May. Jamie now training with the adults has shown a great improvement. All the boys are members of the Young Judo Club as well and are very lucky for they have the chance to compete in many different style of grappling such as Judo, Kurash, Sombo, Belt wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling no other club in GB offers all these styles. With youngsters today more interested in Computers, music, cloths and booze you have to admire these boys for keeping up a very hard competitive sport.
Our seniors did not fare so well this year mainly because of the exceptional high standard of the foreign contingent, the club also fielded several new fighters who although unplaced did exceptional well. Danny Carrott won Gold in the u90 kilo class this what the local people wanted to see men’s u90 kilo class . Last July Warriors Coach travelled the Scottish Open and in the final of the u90k was soundly beaten by local Scotsman Johannes Alder, John’s pride was very dented but this defeat did him good as he trained extra hard to put up one of his best ever performance in the Worlds. John wanted revenge but a knee injury prevented him from entering. So it was decided to put 21 year old Danny Carrott up a weight to take on Johannes who I might add has been 6 times British Champion. At 35 Johannes has loads of experience but although only 21 Danny is no slouch he has had several International caps as well as represent GB in the 2007 World Championships. The fight would very tactical as both players knew one little mistake would be their defeat, the match was set for 5 minutes and as expected both players were very cagey but no one would have thought that with only 5 seconds on the board there would no score. Then it happened a momentary loss of concentration on the behalf of Johannes and Danny was in catching his opponent with 2 pt side drop throw to take the title as you can imagine there was a great deal of celebration in the crowd but Johannes was gracious in defeat and congratulated Danny. Johannes has been a great champion but the old must make way for the young. Karl Swindle a Brown Belt Judo player had his first outing in Sombo he won Bronze in Men’s o 100 kilo plus and then Gold in the Veterans on each occasion he two beat 2 x World Masters bronze medallist Darren Richardson in his last match it was with a 12 point victory.
Our next big event is at the Swallows Sittingbourne on April 20th Young Judo Club Open then of to Holland in May. The highest placed player can also take part in the EU Sambo Wrestling Championships in Bulgaria in September; Danny Carrott has secured his place for the World Championships in Russian during November 2008 but will most probably be asked to drop to u82 kilo.
John Clarke Warriors Coach has had a great honour bestowed upon him the World federation for Kurash has asked each Country to select athletes to go on an all expenses trip to Uzbekistan to participate in there bi-annual World Prize money Kurash Tournament only athletes who are World class can participate and John was the first choice of the British Kurash federation. Sadly John who is a PE Teacher at Sittingbourne Community College can not go for two reasons 1) niggled knee injure 2) it during school term and he feels his first duty is to his pupils and his school
Anyone interested in Judo Sombo etc can contact us on www.youngjudoclub.co.uk www.sittingbourne.org youngjudoclub@yahoo.co.uk or visit Swale martial arts club East Street Sittingbourne
results British open Sombo 23 rd march 2008
ASHLEY JORDAN
U30
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
LIAM ALLEN
U35
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
FRAZER STEVENS
SILVER
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
CIARAN MILLS
BRONZE
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
BEN FRANKS
U40
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
LIAM ALLEN
SILVER
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
MAX HALL
BRONZE
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
KIERAN ALLEN
u45
SILVER
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
BEN GLUCK
u55
SILVER
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
KIERAN ALLEN
BRONZE
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
JAMIE MARZETTI
U74
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
BEN GLUCK
men u62
BRONZE
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
KEIRAN DANIELS
u74
SILVER
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
EDGAR KUDZHOYAN
BRONZE
DYNAMO GLASGOW
SCOTLAND
DANNY CARROTT
U90
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
CARL SWINDELL
o100
BRONZE
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
VETERANS
CARL SWINDELL
HEAVY
GOLD
BCSA WARRIORS
ENGLAND
Friday, March 07, 2008
CRB REJECTS IBF
CRB Reference 23490200003
Friday, 07 March 2008
To; David Shannon
CRB Registration Unit
Dear Mr Shannon
I have just received your letter stating that our organisation doesn't meet the condition of registration i.e. has less then 100 disclosures per year, can I first point out that when we paid our registration fee some years ago nothing was mentioned about numbers so therefore I suggest we have not broken any condition. Also I do not see what numbers have to do with matters it is no more expensive dealing with a small organisation like ourselves then it is dealing with a larger one or is just about putting money into larger organisation pockets.
At present my coaches etc pay nothing for their CRB check to go through another organisation would cost anything fro £30 to £100 why should these people give up their time and energy helping Young People for nothing have to pay. Most feel insulted that they even have to be subjected to a CRB Check; they feel they are assumed to be perverts because they dare to want to work with children and only a CRB check can prove they are decent people or Guilty till proven innocent.
From now on our organisation will not insist on a CRB check for our coaches we will only recommend that they get one and if they do not have the funds so be it. One wonders how many other organisations will do the same making the CRB somewhat of an irrelevance. The CRB has become a vehicle for people to make money and a way create more jobs for the bureaucrats .
Yours a very disappointed and disillusioned
Martin Clarke
Friday, 07 March 2008
To; David Shannon
CRB Registration Unit
Dear Mr Shannon
I have just received your letter stating that our organisation doesn't meet the condition of registration i.e. has less then 100 disclosures per year, can I first point out that when we paid our registration fee some years ago nothing was mentioned about numbers so therefore I suggest we have not broken any condition. Also I do not see what numbers have to do with matters it is no more expensive dealing with a small organisation like ourselves then it is dealing with a larger one or is just about putting money into larger organisation pockets.
At present my coaches etc pay nothing for their CRB check to go through another organisation would cost anything fro £30 to £100 why should these people give up their time and energy helping Young People for nothing have to pay. Most feel insulted that they even have to be subjected to a CRB Check; they feel they are assumed to be perverts because they dare to want to work with children and only a CRB check can prove they are decent people or Guilty till proven innocent.
From now on our organisation will not insist on a CRB check for our coaches we will only recommend that they get one and if they do not have the funds so be it. One wonders how many other organisations will do the same making the CRB somewhat of an irrelevance. The CRB has become a vehicle for people to make money and a way create more jobs for the bureaucrats .
Yours a very disappointed and disillusioned
Martin Clarke
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sombo Wrestling Course 2008
Sombo Wrestling Introduction Course
Warriors Grappling Academy
Swale Martial Arts Club
Sittingbourne
February 17th 2008
It has been many years since we have had a Sombo wrestling Course at the club due to the fact that Grandmaster Martin Clarke who took all the courses has been forced into retirement with bad hip and knee injury. His son John British Team Captain and Colin Carrott World Masters bronze medallist have taken over his mantle and organise plus taught at this course. The course drew people from all over the country and with one of the Countries Martial Arts Magazine taking an interest in Sombo by publishing articles on the sport we are seeing an upsurge in interest. From this course we had enquiries to organise the same in Bedford, London and Nottingham in all a very successful weekend. The next big event on the Sombo calendar is the British Open held on Easter Sunday at the swallows leisure centre Sittingbourne
For further information on Sombo go http://www.britishsombo.co.uk/ or IBFBCSA@yahoo.co.uk
More Photo’s of the course got http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/IBFBCSA/SomboCourse2008
Warriors Grappling Academy
Swale Martial Arts Club
Sittingbourne
February 17th 2008
It has been many years since we have had a Sombo wrestling Course at the club due to the fact that Grandmaster Martin Clarke who took all the courses has been forced into retirement with bad hip and knee injury. His son John British Team Captain and Colin Carrott World Masters bronze medallist have taken over his mantle and organise plus taught at this course. The course drew people from all over the country and with one of the Countries Martial Arts Magazine taking an interest in Sombo by publishing articles on the sport we are seeing an upsurge in interest. From this course we had enquiries to organise the same in Bedford, London and Nottingham in all a very successful weekend. The next big event on the Sombo calendar is the British Open held on Easter Sunday at the swallows leisure centre Sittingbourne
For further information on Sombo go http://www.britishsombo.co.uk/ or IBFBCSA@yahoo.co.uk
More Photo’s of the course got http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/IBFBCSA/SomboCourse2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Blue and white found equal in judo
A good friend of mine from Bredgar YJC USA sent me the following article. Judo is crash diving to oblivion and this was what a researcher thought important??
Blue and white found equal in judo
Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:55 AM GMT
By Michael Kahn
LONDON (Reuters) - The color of a judoka's suit plays no part in the outcome of a match, British researchers say.
Previous studies showing blue judo uniforms provided a competitive edge over white ones were flawed, the researchers said on Wednesday.
An examination of 501 gold-medal finals in international competitions between 1996 and 2005 showed that the color of the uniform worn by the winner was split evenly between blue and white, the study found.
"We focused on judo but the finding may have wider implications for sports in general," said Peter Dijkstra, an behavioral biologist at the University of Glasgow, who led the study. "We show there is no color association for a winning bias."
Past studies had suggested that contestants in blue had an advantage because the color was more intimidating, or that the white competitor might be more visible, allowing an opponent to better anticipate his movements.
However, Dijkstra said those studies did not take into account that higher seeded -- and therefore more skilled -- competitors wore the blue uniforms. So it made sense that they would win more often, he said.
Previous research also looked at the loser's bracket, which could have skewed the results because competitors who lost early were likely to have less confidence and be more prone to another defeat, Dijkstra said.
In the study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Biological Sciences, Dijkstra and colleagues adjusted for these factors by factoring in only gold-medal matches.
"Seeded athletes are top ranked and have a very high chance of winning," he said in a telephone interview. "They are more likely to wear blue so this automatically creates a winning bias. Athletes in blue are simply better."
The researchers looked only at judo but said the findings would likely be the same in other individual combat sports such as wrestling, boxing and taekwondo.
The same might hold true for team sports, though factors such as the number of players on a field or court could affect visibility and make color less important, Dijkstra said.
The findings could also help to ensure a more level playing field in other combat sports in which a competitor wore red -- a color associated with dominance, fear and aggression that actually might confer an advantage, the researchers added.
"Our findings have implications for sports policy makers: they suggest that white-blue outfit pairing ensures an equal level of play," the researchers wrote.
Blue and white found equal in judo
Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:55 AM GMT
By Michael Kahn
LONDON (Reuters) - The color of a judoka's suit plays no part in the outcome of a match, British researchers say.
Previous studies showing blue judo uniforms provided a competitive edge over white ones were flawed, the researchers said on Wednesday.
An examination of 501 gold-medal finals in international competitions between 1996 and 2005 showed that the color of the uniform worn by the winner was split evenly between blue and white, the study found.
"We focused on judo but the finding may have wider implications for sports in general," said Peter Dijkstra, an behavioral biologist at the University of Glasgow, who led the study. "We show there is no color association for a winning bias."
Past studies had suggested that contestants in blue had an advantage because the color was more intimidating, or that the white competitor might be more visible, allowing an opponent to better anticipate his movements.
However, Dijkstra said those studies did not take into account that higher seeded -- and therefore more skilled -- competitors wore the blue uniforms. So it made sense that they would win more often, he said.
Previous research also looked at the loser's bracket, which could have skewed the results because competitors who lost early were likely to have less confidence and be more prone to another defeat, Dijkstra said.
In the study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Biological Sciences, Dijkstra and colleagues adjusted for these factors by factoring in only gold-medal matches.
"Seeded athletes are top ranked and have a very high chance of winning," he said in a telephone interview. "They are more likely to wear blue so this automatically creates a winning bias. Athletes in blue are simply better."
The researchers looked only at judo but said the findings would likely be the same in other individual combat sports such as wrestling, boxing and taekwondo.
The same might hold true for team sports, though factors such as the number of players on a field or court could affect visibility and make color less important, Dijkstra said.
The findings could also help to ensure a more level playing field in other combat sports in which a competitor wore red -- a color associated with dominance, fear and aggression that actually might confer an advantage, the researchers added.
"Our findings have implications for sports policy makers: they suggest that white-blue outfit pairing ensures an equal level of play," the researchers wrote.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
EJU want to change rules of Judo
UchiKomi Doug recently sent me some details of some proposed EJU rule changes, he has listed below his opinion, what do you think?
The EJU is considering the following changes to the current contest rules:
Ippon for osae-komi after 20 seconds, contrary to the current 25
Abolishment of koka
Abolishment of any hand sign for the referee to indicate shido
Abolishment of the 1 referee and 2 judges, reduction to a sole referee per mat
Abolishment of the equation that 2 waza-ari equal 1 ippon, with now the number of waza-ari during a contest becoming unlimited just like it is now for koka and yuko
UCHIKOMI REPLIES
It is time we got rid of all those ridiculous Japanese terms, Judo is now an international sport not some sort of ancient Japanese ritual. Score like they do in Sambo/Sombo 1pt indicated thumb, 2pts two fingers, 4pts 4 fingers, Total Victory like Ippon. No verbal commands referee wears blue and red armband, Bout startrs and stops on a whistle.The reason Judo Competition is on the decline is that the rules have made it boring to watch and compete in. Sombo/Sambo is on the increase because it is exciting to watch and compete in, something Judo was 20 years ago.I suggest that all Judoka keep to the philosophy and Kata of Judo but take up Sombo/Sambo competition
The EJU is considering the following changes to the current contest rules:
Ippon for osae-komi after 20 seconds, contrary to the current 25
Abolishment of koka
Abolishment of any hand sign for the referee to indicate shido
Abolishment of the 1 referee and 2 judges, reduction to a sole referee per mat
Abolishment of the equation that 2 waza-ari equal 1 ippon, with now the number of waza-ari during a contest becoming unlimited just like it is now for koka and yuko
UCHIKOMI REPLIES
It is time we got rid of all those ridiculous Japanese terms, Judo is now an international sport not some sort of ancient Japanese ritual. Score like they do in Sambo/Sombo 1pt indicated thumb, 2pts two fingers, 4pts 4 fingers, Total Victory like Ippon. No verbal commands referee wears blue and red armband, Bout startrs and stops on a whistle.The reason Judo Competition is on the decline is that the rules have made it boring to watch and compete in. Sombo/Sambo is on the increase because it is exciting to watch and compete in, something Judo was 20 years ago.I suggest that all Judoka keep to the philosophy and Kata of Judo but take up Sombo/Sambo competition
Monday, January 28, 2008
Nuala has her say on Mixed Sex Judo
As I have said I will always welcome comments from readers so long as they are constructive and they following is from Fionnula Brenchley-Sayer 1st Dan
Hi Martin I know I am out of touch but I assume that junior coaching is stillmixed? If as Richard says there could be a liability issue over this, why would it be different for training. Personally I don't think it would be a good idea to mix the sexes for competition But I assume this is down to lack of numbers and stopping the joke of getting a medal without a fight.
I fail to see how this could be achieved in training. Most clubs would struggleto separate the sexes. But there is more contact in training, lesssupervision (look at how many people are looking as 2 players in competition) and surely more likelihood of injury. Hope this is not the thin end of the wedge as far as juniors are concerned. I believe that as the female players get older they benefit from being coached as women. I tried to fight like the men in competition and train like you all, it doesn't work. Some people do not like it but there are physiological and physiological differences between the sexes andcoaching should (in my opinion) reflect this. I have watched many girls/youngwomen in competition trying to use upper body strength like the men andfailing. Like in schooling I believe girls/women would benefit, if not flourish,from tailored coaching possible even separating them. Unfortunatelythere are not enough women in judo to do this. But maybe this is the cause? Women and young women may not feel confident or comfortable fighting with men. I think this may discourage them. Just a thought, hope you don't mind an "outsider" commenting.
Thanks
Nuala
Hi Martin I know I am out of touch but I assume that junior coaching is stillmixed? If as Richard says there could be a liability issue over this, why would it be different for training. Personally I don't think it would be a good idea to mix the sexes for competition But I assume this is down to lack of numbers and stopping the joke of getting a medal without a fight.
I fail to see how this could be achieved in training. Most clubs would struggleto separate the sexes. But there is more contact in training, lesssupervision (look at how many people are looking as 2 players in competition) and surely more likelihood of injury. Hope this is not the thin end of the wedge as far as juniors are concerned. I believe that as the female players get older they benefit from being coached as women. I tried to fight like the men in competition and train like you all, it doesn't work. Some people do not like it but there are physiological and physiological differences between the sexes andcoaching should (in my opinion) reflect this. I have watched many girls/youngwomen in competition trying to use upper body strength like the men andfailing. Like in schooling I believe girls/women would benefit, if not flourish,from tailored coaching possible even separating them. Unfortunatelythere are not enough women in judo to do this. But maybe this is the cause? Women and young women may not feel confident or comfortable fighting with men. I think this may discourage them. Just a thought, hope you don't mind an "outsider" commenting.
Thanks
Nuala
Friday, January 18, 2008
NO TO MIXED SEX JUDO
As I mentioned in a previous Blog I was unhappy about mixed sex Judo tournaments, since then I have contacted Prof Richard Bailey one of the countries leading experts in children and sport and has sent me a reply which is can be seen below, also I contacted the British judo Association which is the governing body for the sport and they do not condone mixed sex competitions, because of this the IBF insurers will not insure any mixed sex event.
Dear MartinI would be very cautious about organising mixed competitive sport with any children older than 8 years old of age.The key biological event in human growth is puberty, and this results in what is known as a growth spurt which means a rapid and often unpredictable increase in physical growth. At the same time, there are the well-known psychological issues associated with unexpected growth, and these can be made more severe when boys and girls are close together.Before puberty there is very little physical difference between boys and girls. If anything, girls have a slight advantage. However puberty changes everything. Girls enter puberty between 9-13 years of age, boys a little later. Although in the real world there probably will not be serious health risk of putting together boys and girls, some of whom are experiencing rapid growth, there is always the chance. I suspect a sports organisation would be very vulnerable if an accident occurred, and it was suggested that one of the players was biologically a child, and the other was on the way to adulthood.Personally, I can see nothing wrong with mixed sports before puberty, and this would mean 8 and under. After that time, it becomes unwise to assume that a 9 or 10 year old is not experiencing a growth spurt and therefore is not significantly bigger and stronger than his or her peers.I hope this helps.Best Wishes,Richard BaileyDirectorRoehampton University Child Wellbeing Institute (CWI)
Dear MartinI would be very cautious about organising mixed competitive sport with any children older than 8 years old of age.The key biological event in human growth is puberty, and this results in what is known as a growth spurt which means a rapid and often unpredictable increase in physical growth. At the same time, there are the well-known psychological issues associated with unexpected growth, and these can be made more severe when boys and girls are close together.Before puberty there is very little physical difference between boys and girls. If anything, girls have a slight advantage. However puberty changes everything. Girls enter puberty between 9-13 years of age, boys a little later. Although in the real world there probably will not be serious health risk of putting together boys and girls, some of whom are experiencing rapid growth, there is always the chance. I suspect a sports organisation would be very vulnerable if an accident occurred, and it was suggested that one of the players was biologically a child, and the other was on the way to adulthood.Personally, I can see nothing wrong with mixed sports before puberty, and this would mean 8 and under. After that time, it becomes unwise to assume that a 9 or 10 year old is not experiencing a growth spurt and therefore is not significantly bigger and stronger than his or her peers.I hope this helps.Best Wishes,Richard BaileyDirectorRoehampton University Child Wellbeing Institute (CWI)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Academy of Coaching
It seems the Academy of Coaching has been mentioned on some Forum of other and I have several email asking for details so I have put a piece on the IBF web site for those who are interested. For those interested in contributing to this Blog you can contact me on IBFBCSA@yahoo.co.uk, this is to prevent libelous and inaccurate information appearing as has happened in the past
http://www.budo-ibf.co.uk/AOC%20Newsletter.htm
http://www.budo-ibf.co.uk/AOC%20Newsletter.htm
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Radburn was visibly scared by CK
I received an email of an article that appeared on Judo Forum, It seems CK is besotted by me as he has posted yet another article on me and how wicked I am, as I have said before I know longer subscribe to this Forum as it allows anonymous people to write anything with out allowing us to quantify who they are and what they have done. Once again a true Budoka would not hide behind an alias, on the whole I receive little comments but just recently a couple have appeared with out Names, Grades etc, if you want to make a comment join my Blog but you have to give your full name etc.
There was one piece in CK’s diatribe that I have copied below please read and I quote from his article
“In the Blog, further tendentious information is claimed to attract support. For example, it is said that I ridiculed Paul Radburn. I originally wrote specifically about a fight and used the terms that he would have received "free flying lessons" or something similar. The terminology was used to express the huge difference in control over a fight and the fact that in this case, Radburn hardly was a moment on his feet. If what i wrote was untrue, one could accuse me of maliciousness, but it wasn't. I will provide the specific details, so that those who were present can verify it for themselves. It happened on the European Championships in the -95 kg in his bout against Vande Walle. Vande Walle played with him, and I still have various pictures from that bout which would underpin my my report. In fact, Radburn was visibly scared during that fight, and for good reason. I cannot imagine that Radburn himself would deny that he flew more through the air than that he was on his feets. The fact that you once lose a fight and lose it big time, is no rejection of a person's career or skills. We all have had opponents where we had a hard time establishing control against. Moreover, losing from Van de Walle is not a dishonour, I would think. At the end of the day, what I wrote, was nothing but the truth, and I wrote in response to nothing else than what the person falsely claimed himself, and I only referred to information available in the public domain, with the exception of my own first-hand experiences, which did not further reveal any private details about the person.”
Now I know both players mentioned and have trained with both and will now say at the time they were two of the best in the World, with regard to the fight mentioned I was not present but any body who has met PAUL RADBURN will know he is not scared of anything and one thing he would not do would be show his fear, so why did CK even mention this if were not to discredit Radburn. If he were so frightened why did he beat him in other tournaments. I have lost contact with Paul if anyone knows where he is send him this article
There was one piece in CK’s diatribe that I have copied below please read and I quote from his article
“In the Blog, further tendentious information is claimed to attract support. For example, it is said that I ridiculed Paul Radburn. I originally wrote specifically about a fight and used the terms that he would have received "free flying lessons" or something similar. The terminology was used to express the huge difference in control over a fight and the fact that in this case, Radburn hardly was a moment on his feet. If what i wrote was untrue, one could accuse me of maliciousness, but it wasn't. I will provide the specific details, so that those who were present can verify it for themselves. It happened on the European Championships in the -95 kg in his bout against Vande Walle. Vande Walle played with him, and I still have various pictures from that bout which would underpin my my report. In fact, Radburn was visibly scared during that fight, and for good reason. I cannot imagine that Radburn himself would deny that he flew more through the air than that he was on his feets. The fact that you once lose a fight and lose it big time, is no rejection of a person's career or skills. We all have had opponents where we had a hard time establishing control against. Moreover, losing from Van de Walle is not a dishonour, I would think. At the end of the day, what I wrote, was nothing but the truth, and I wrote in response to nothing else than what the person falsely claimed himself, and I only referred to information available in the public domain, with the exception of my own first-hand experiences, which did not further reveal any private details about the person.”
Now I know both players mentioned and have trained with both and will now say at the time they were two of the best in the World, with regard to the fight mentioned I was not present but any body who has met PAUL RADBURN will know he is not scared of anything and one thing he would not do would be show his fear, so why did CK even mention this if were not to discredit Radburn. If he were so frightened why did he beat him in other tournaments. I have lost contact with Paul if anyone knows where he is send him this article
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