Learn

Skills

Before you learn to throw or pin, you need to know how to fall safely! In Red Belt, you’ll develop three essential breakfalls - Ukemi "受け身" techniques: backward, side, and forward rolling. These ukemi skills help protect your body, build confidence, and prepare you for more advanced judo practice.

Take your time, follow along with the videos, and always practice on a soft surface. Falling well is just as important as throwing well!

  • 1st Mon
  • 2nd Mon
  • 3 rd Mon
1st Mon

Breakfalls - Ukemi "受け身"

Ushiro Ukemi - 後ろ受け身

"Backward Breakfall"

This backward fall helps you protect your head. Keep your chin tucked, roll your body gently, and slap the mat with your arms to absorb the impact. Practice slowly to build confidence and protect yourself during throws.

2nd Mon

Breakfalls - Ukemi "受け身"

Yoko Ukemi - 横受け身

"Side Breakfall"

This fall teaches you how to land safely when thrown sideways. Roll onto your side, keep your head tucked in, and slap the mat with your arm to spread the impact. It’s all about control and confidence — the better your breakfall, the braver you’ll feel when learning throws.

Practice both left and right sides so your body becomes balanced and ready for anything.

3 rd Mon

Breakfalls - Ukemi "受け身"

Mae Mawari Ukemi – 前回り受け身

"Forward Rolling Breakfall"

This rolling breakfall helps you stay safe when thrown forward. Start low, tuck your chin, and roll diagonally across your shoulder — never straight over your head.

Focus on a smooth, rounded roll and slap the mat with your arm as you finish. Practice slowly and stay relaxed. It builds agility, body awareness, and prepares you for more advanced throws later on.

Explore

Techniques

These are the core throws and holds you will learn at Red Belt. Focus on mastering the form, control, and timing for each technique.

Practice safely and steadily build your skills.

Throws – Tachi-waza "立ち技"

Hold-downs – Osae-komi-waza "抑え込み技"

  • 1st Mon
  • 2nd Mon
  • 3rd Mon
1st Mon

Throws – Tachi-waza "立ち技"

Ō-soto-otoshi - 大外落

"Major Outer Drop"

A powerful leg sweep used when your partner is leaning backward or off balance. Make sure to practice with control and proper breakfall technique to stay safe.

Hold-downs – Osae-komi-waza "抑え込み技"

Kesa-gatame - 袈裟固め

"Scarf Hold"

A strong pinning hold where you control your partner’s upper body with your arm around their head and your body across their chest. Practice staying steady and calm to keep control.

TRANSITION INTO THE GROUND - NE-WAZA "寝技"

Ō-soto-otoshi Kesa-gatame

"Major Outer Drop"

After landing Ōsoto-otoshi use the momentum to move straight into Kesa-gatame. Stay close, control the upper body, and keep steady pressure to hold your partner down.

GROUND Techniqe - NE-WAZA "寝技"

Kesa-gatame Escapes - 袈裟固の逃れ方

"Scarf Hold Escapes"

If you're pinned in Kesa-gatame, use timing and technique to escape. Trap your partner’s leg, bridge, or push to create space and get free. Practice staying calm and moving with control.

2nd Mon

Throws – Tachi-waza "立ち技"

De-ashi-harai – 出足払

"Advanced Foot Sweep"

A quick and smooth sweep that targets your partner’s advancing foot. Timing is everything — use their movement to your advantage, and don’t forget your breakfalls!

Hold-downs – Osae-komi-waza "抑え込み技"

Mune-gatame – 胸固め

“Chest Hold”

A strong hold-down where you control your partner by pressing your chest against theirs, keeping their shoulders on the mat. Use your arms to secure their head and arm, and spread your legs for balance.

3rd Mon
BUTTON

Understand

Theory & Language

Learn the essential Japanese terms and cultural values that form the foundation of Judo. Understanding these will deepen your practice and respect for the art.

  • 1st Mon
  • 2nd Mon
  • 3rd Mon
1st Mon

🥋 Japanese Language & Terms


  • Judogi (柔道着) — Judo uniform worn during practice and competition
  • Judoka (柔道家) — A person who practices Judo
  • Hajime (始め) — Begin! (Referee’s command to start a judo contest)
  • Ne-waza (寝技) — Groundwork techniques used on the mat
  • Osae-komi-waza (抑え込み技) — Holding techniques used to pin an opponent
  • Kesa-gatame (袈裟固め) — Scarf hold used to control the opponent in groundwork
  • Mate (待て) — Wait! (Referee’s command to temporarily halt the contest)
  • Ō-soto-otoshi (大外落) — Major outer drop throw used when opponent leans backward
  • Rei (礼) — Bow (Respect shown before and after practice or contest)
  • Tachi-waza (立ち技) — Standing techniques performed while both partners are upright
  • Ushiro Ukemi (後ろ受け身) — Rear breakfall to safely absorb impact when falling backward

❓ Questions


  • Where was Judo invented?


Japan


2nd Mon

🥋 Japanese Language & Terms


  • De-ashi-barai (出足払) — Advanced foot sweep that uses your partner’s moving foot
  • Mune-gatame (胸固め) — Chest hold used to pin the opponent in groundwork
  • Osae-komi (抑え込み) — Hold-down or pinning technique in groundwork
  • Randori (乱取り) — Free practice where partners try techniques in a live setting
  • Rei (礼) — Bow (Respect shown before and after practice or contest)
  • Toketa (解けた) — Hold broken (Referee’s call when a pin is no longer effective)
  • Yoko Ukemi (横受け身) — Side breakfall to safely land when falling sideways

❓ Questions


  • Who was the founder of Judo?

Jigorō Kanō - 治五郎 嘉納

  • What is Judo's moral code (柔道の道徳コード)?

  1. Courtesy (礼儀 - Reigi): Be polite and show respect to others.
  2. Courage (勇気 - Yūki): Face challenges bravely, even when afraid.
  3. Honesty (誠 - Makoto): Always speak and act truthfully.
  4. Honor (名誉 - Meiyo): Be true to your word and live with integrity.
  5. Modesty (謙虚 - Kenkyo): Don’t brag — let your actions speak for you.
  6. Respect (尊敬 - Sonkei): Treat everyone with kindness, no matter their level.
  7. Self-Control (自制 - Jisei): Stay calm, even in difficult moments.
  8. Friendship (友情 - Yūjō): Support and care for your training partners.


3rd Mon

🥋 Japanese Language & Terms


  • Dōjō (道場) — Judo practice hall or training space
  • Judogi (柔道着) — Judo uniform worn during training and competition
  • Kuzure-kesa-gatame (崩れ袈裟固め) — Modified scarf hold used in groundwork
  • Mae-mawari Ukemi (前回り受け身) — Forward rolling breakfall to land safely while moving forward
  • Tori (取り) — The person executing the technique (attacker)
  • Uke (受け) — The person receiving the technique (defender)
  • Uki-goshi (浮腰) — Floating hip throw using your hips as leverage
  • Zōri (草履) — Traditional sandals or footwear worn to and from the mat

❓ Questions


  • What is the correct way of wearing the judogi and tying of the belt (Obi - 帯) ?

1. Find the Center

Fold the belt in half to find the middle. Place this center point just below your navel.


2. Wrap Around

Wrap both ends around your waist, crossing behind your back and bringing them forward again. Make sure the belt is flat and even, without twists.


3. Layer the Ends

Cross the right end over the left end in front, and tuck it under both layers of the belt from below. Pull both ends outward to tighten.


4. Make a Knot

Take the top end (now on your left), cross it over the other, and pull it through to make a square knot. Pull tight.


5. Check the Knot

The knot should sit flat, with both ends hanging evenly. It should feel snug but not too tight.

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Orange Belt

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Blue Belt

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