Oluwaseun Bakare

 TOP 5 JUDO THROWS FOR SHORTER GUYS INTRODUCTION Are you a short guy that is finding it difficult to be able to execute effective throws in Judo to knock down your opponent? Will you like to learn more about the techniques and strategies you can use as a shorter person in order to be able to succeed as a Judo fighter? If your answer is yes to these questions, then stay glue to the tips prepared for you. Going by the terms, Judo throwing is a technique that is also known as Nage waza. It is a grappling technique which involves the lifting of an opponent and forcefully throwing them onto the ground. The attacker that is performing the throw goes into a rotating motion while performing the throw and he disconnects his opponent with him ending on his feet balanced while the opponent ends up falling on the ground. Advantages and disadvantages of being a shorter guy performing a Judo throw. Being a short person can have its own advantages during a Judo fight with a taller opponent. The major advantage that you possess as a shorter person as against your taller counterpart during a Judo combat is that your center of gravity is much lower when compared to your taller opponent. It means that you can perform certain types of throws with a lot less pressure. Another advantage you have as a shorter fighter is that you can easily knock off your taller opponent off balance and attack his legs as well. Also it is easier for a shorter person to sort their limbs out during a fight than a taller person and it is generally easier and faster for a shorter fighter to learn the techniques of Judo than his taller counterparts. Now for every advantage there must be a disadvantage. The disadvantage of being a shorter judo fighter is that you will have a more difficult time performing some of your fighting techniques on a much heavier person due to the fact that your own body weight cannot withstand a heavier opponent’s owns Top 5 techniques of Judo throws for shorter guys Now being a shorter guy there are some throw techniques you must adopt in order to be victorious in your judo fights when you are attacking a much taller opponent. Let us take a look at these techniques of throws in Judo that is best suited for the shorter guys. 1. Kouchi Gari (Minor inner reaping) 2. Ura Nage (Sacrifice throw) 3. Harai Goshi (Hip throw) 4. Hiza Guruma (Kneel Wheel) 5. Seoi-nage (Shoulder throws) Let us discuss each of these throws and their techniques . 1. Kouchi Gari:- Is an original throw that was first developed by the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano.It is classified as a foot technique. In this type of technique the attacker uses one of his legs to get off or one or both of their competitor’s legs off the floor. The competitor’s body weight is then placed on the leg that is made to lose balance. This along with the attacker controlling his competitor’s body with both hands makes the competitor to lose his balance and fall to the ground, ouch! 2.Ura Nage:- This technique was among the first throws that was developed by Jigoro kano who is the founder of Judo. It is classified as a Sacrifice throw. A sacrifice throw means that the person performing the throw will move into a position that puts him at a disadvantage such as falling to the ground in order for it to be done. By the attacker falling to the ground power is added to his throw and it just requires a little strength as compared to the effect it has to knock off his opponent to the ground. 3.Harai Goshi:- Amongst the first throw technique that was developed by the founder of Judo ,Jigoro Kano is the Harai Goshi. This throw can be classified as a Hip technique (Koshiwaza). Harai Goshi is a sweeping hip throw technique in judo. The technique involves the attacker using his hip as a point of pivot, thereby placing his hip into a position lower than his competitor’s center of gravity resulting in the opponent being thrown into a forward direction and landing on the ground. 4.Hiza Guruma:- This throw was first developed by Judo founder Jigoro Kano.The Hiza Guruma can be classified as a foot technique (Ashiwaza). This technique is well suited for shorter fighters. The technique used in the Hiza Guruma is when the attacker hooks or lifts the opponent’s leg with his own attacking leg. The attacker then pulls the opponent‘s leg up first, afterward he swings it away causing the opponent to lose his balance and to land on the ground. 5.Seoi nage:- This throw was amongst the earliest ones that was first developed by the founder and originator of Judo Jigoro Kano. The Seoi nage is classified as a hand technique known as Te-waza. The Seo nage throw is known as a forward throwing technique whereby the opponent is tossed over the shoulder. The shoulder throw involves an attacker throwing his opponent over his shoulder. The attacker lifts his opponent from and throws him over his shoulder onto the floor. Strategies of Judo throws for shorter people. After discussing the techniques lets now discuss the Judo throw strategies for shorter people. As a short judo fighter it is good to use your favorite judo throw whenever you are facing your opponent. This strategy can make all the moves that you have in your judo arsenal a lot more effective by you intimidating your competitor. Another fact is that since it is your favorite judo throw you will have practiced the technique to perfection so it makes it able to serve as a means of self-defense. Your opponent may sometimes use counter judo moves to fight you. What you need to do when you are using your favorite throw is to attack your opponent with the whole of your body. Another Judo strategy you can do in order to master your Judo throws is to take your throw technique to the streets. By taking it to the street you as an attacker will be able to gain more technical knowledge which your opponent does not have. You will also have an advantage over your opponent because you will learn how to fall down without inflicting harm on your body. You can also throw a punch as a shorter attacker in order to set up a technique or to finish up one. You can strike up your opponent and he will immediately lose his balance. You will afterwards follow through with your throw. Your follow through may include any of the judo throw technique that you know all except the hip throw. You must never use the hip throw as a short person because in every street fight you must remember not to ever turn your back on your opponent, even for a second. Doing so can be a very dangerous error on your part because you can be attacked from any angle. As soon as your opponent falls down to the ground you as an attacker must keep him down while you also try to turn him over to gain full control of him. You can also as an attacker alternately shoot your opponent for a choke. When the choke is executed from the back of your opponent it is very effective because it stops the blood supply to your opponent’s brain thereby causing him to faint or to pass out in almost instantly. Alternatively you can go for a standing arm lock. This strategy is very effective form of self- defense strategy that can hyperextend a limb thereby incapacitating the opponent. The method of doing this is to grab the wrist of your opponent’s attacking arm when he punches and pull it forward. Afterwards you press your chest against your opponent’s elbow and then you put all your weight on his joint. At this point the opponent will either fall to the ground or his arms will snap. Conclusion Now let us conclude this write-up by saying that Judo throws can be seen as the collision that occurs between two fighters. When doing a judo throw the impulse of the opponent’s body must be put into consideration for the type of throw in which is to be done. From all the throw techniques mentioned in this write-up that is recommended for shorter fighters, it can best be said that shorter people when doing judo throws do have the same opportunity to win fights as much as their taller counterparts in the sport of Judo. The shorter fighter just needs to master the best technique that suits his build and to apply it effectively so as to win. The techniques and strategies I have discussed in this write-up is highly recommended for a short person who is in combat with a much taller opponent in Judo. Being a shorter fighter is never a disadvantage, once you have mastered your techniques and strategies defeating a much taller opponent is not only possible but likely as well.