I may ruffle some feathers with this, but that’s okay. Background on me: I’m a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt. I’ve been training BJJ for ten years. (Did that statement cause you to “bristle your feathers” or scoff slightly? If so…..that might be the problem.)

I have tried a couple different Judo clubs over the years to try a class here and there. I’m always fascinated and intrigued by the beautiful art of Judo. Unfortunately every time I tried judo I found something lacking in one way or another.

The latest issue I encountered was the subtle disrespect from an old school Judoka. Going in to a judo club as a martial artist in another form of grappling, I make a point to humble myself to learn new things and show respect to another art. In one of my experiences at a judo club the instructor would make multiple snide comments about Bjj and then after class proceeded to disrespect further and display his ignorance of the intricacies of the groundwork of Bjj claiming that a “Bjj black belt can’t submit him” “it doesn’t take 10 years to learn an armbar” and my favorite, “Bjj is the easy part of grappling”. My point here is not to debate whether these arguments are true or untrue, but to point out a character flaw. Judo always talks about character and respect, but how could that be considered respectful? If a karate guy comes into your gym, would you try to tell him that his art is garbage, simply because you have some underlying contempt for their art? The instructor and students at this club were very good, but how could I train there after that? Im left with two options, respectfully leave or challenge the instructor to a submission only match! (Lol just kidding I wouldn’t do that because i would never be so disrespectful to him in his own dojo.) I understand that was only a singular experience but if it happened to me, it probably happened to dozens of Bjj guys looking to cross train in his gym. Why would you allow your contempt to turn away potential students? In contrast BJJ encourages cross training, we have a history of “borrowing” techniques from not only judo, but sambo, catch wrestling, etc; because if it works, why not use it?
This brings me to my second point, BJJ’s history of technique borrowing and encouraging cross training in other arts allows for a student to display their own creativity in their art in a way that is harder to find in Judo. In my humble opinion the current rule set for Judo is extremely restrictive. I’ve seen many posts and blogs where judoka agree with this….so why do they still train this way? I’ve met fairly high ranked judoka who couldn’t stop a decent wrestlers double leg take down, because they have never encountered someone grabbing their legs, how can someone not see that as an inherit flaw in the current standardized judo curriculum. Again in comes back to the way judo has boxed itself in with its rule set. Just some food for thought…
My third point isn’t really a point….but more of a training outlook when it comes to new students looking for self defense. Have you ever given serious consideration to WHY Bjj is so appealing to new students? Let me try to put it into perspective. (This is only my opinion of course). A judo match ends with an Ippon after a player performs a beautiful throw. And some of the throws in judo are BEAUTIFUL and can sometimes end a fight by itself. But what if it doesn’t? What happens after? If it’s to be advertised as self defense….what happens after the throw or after a “bad” throw? In general, during a competition the answer is nothing, one player stalls until the referee stands them back up.
Now in contrast, with BJJ the match doesn’t end. If one student performs a beautiful Uchi Mata, they will get points. However after they land, he/she must still submit their opponent. Forcing an opponent to admit defeat in the face of being choked unconscious or having limbs and joints destroyed is such a definitive way to win. There is no doubt left in anyone’s mind about what “could” have happened. It’s an appealing concept when it comes to self defense.

I hope you don’t take a defensive stance on my post and misinterpret my points. As judo and Bjj have evolved, they have become specialists in their respective fields, and because of that they are BOTH lacking in certain areas as well. As a BJJ player I respect the art of Judo and I view it as the other side of the same coin. I will be moving to Japan for 3-4 years in less than two months and I want to keep trying Judo clubs until I find one that is a good fit. My unsolicited advice for the future of judo is to stop being closed minded and allow the art to grow in a positive direction.

Feel free to call me when you need questions answered.

Send me your questions via any means you want.

Good question. I don’t know, and to be honest, I never expected much out of them.

I reviewed your summary of the Judo America rules on that link, had some specific questions about it, should I put them in Leave a Reply for that blog?
Thanks, Fred Weck