JUDO: Saturday and still feeling it

I woke up Saturday morning still feeling every muscle and joint in my body. My back and neck killing me. I have had the past couple of days off work and used them for a much needed rest and recovery from the two a day practice this past Wednesday. I walked into the dojo at 11:30 and to my surprise it was a light practice.

The guys were working on some other types of submission techniques such as leglocks and ankle locks. This was a good diversion and a fun training session. Although it was explained that these were Sambo techniques I think it is interesting to know that at one time before judo was considered an olympic sport that judo did consist of leglocks ankle locks and neck cranks . (Mikunosuke Kawaishi published a book entitled "My Method of Judo" in 1955 in which such techniques were demonstrated.) These techniques however are deemed illegal in competition. However they were a nice break from regular training.

After the leglocks we got back into judo newaza techniques. We began to drill as we had done before we were grappling in 3 minute periods and then changing opponents. I was still not moving as I thought I should be, I was still stiff and sore. It was a great cardio workout and in the end I was exhausted.

The instructor let the class know that Monday we would be doing randori. Randori is a term used in Judo to describe free-style practice or sparring. I left the dojo just wanting my body to stop aching and now wondering how I was going to do at randori Monday at practice.