Judo Throws: Nege No Kata Full Version

Nege No Kata: An Introduction & Some Notes

Let's face it, no matter how you feel about it, you can't get around doing the Nege No Kata. Older judokas are not going to let it go. Apart from all the benefits of learning the Kata that you need; such as preserving the accuracy and purity of Judo, it is a way most everyone can continue to practice and contribute to Judo, long after their competitive career is over. More than that it is a way for those not interested in competition to contribute and still learn and grow in judo.

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Below is by far one of the clearest video versions of the Kata that I have seen.

Like all Kata, there is an ongoing learning curve. It doesn't matter how long or how often you do it, you are always going to discover something new or some fault that you have practised in. In fact, when I send students to their mentor for practice before they are tested on the Kata, I always tell them to:

"learn what you Judge wants to see and do that in the test because your way is not going to be their way; no matter how correct you think your way is and you may learn something in the process. Besides they are the one doing the testing so doing it any other way you will fail."

So here briefly are some of the things I have learned about some of the throws over the years, that is not covered in the video; as well as some common errors most made by beginners.

Uki Otoshi:

Inevitably the first comment I get when someone sees this throw, is something like: "that seems a silly throw, how could that possibly work in real life?". Well, it works very well in real life if you are attacked in a way that is being simulated. That is if someone charges you. Move away from anybody quickly and they will be thrown over with the slightest of hand movements.

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Kata Guruma:

The biggest mistakes that almost every Judoka new to Kata will make with this throw are two-fold:

1. As Tori you place your head under Uke's belt. As you do this, you must maintain a constant, continuously forward and slightly upwards pull until Uke is on your shoulders. You must do this whilst keeping your head up (looking up does help) and your back as straight as you can. If you don't you will have trouble lifting Uke.
2. As Tori, please take note of the video when it says that you throw to the front corner. Don't throw to your side. It is very hard to support Uke if you do and believes me everybody will get very confused about how the landing should go.

Uki Goshi:

This is the only throw where Tori turns their back to the judge of the Kata. This throw will test the correctness of your Uki Goshi. Fix your Uki Goshi if you are struggling with this throw. Seems obvious but you have no idea how many will look for any other fault rather than fixing the throw.

Hari Goshi: the biggest mistakes that almost every Judoka new to Kata will make with this throw, are again two-fold.

They are:

1. As Tori you must remember to keep drawing Uke towards you as you throw. At no time should you be leaning into Uke? If you are leaning into uke at any time, you are not pulling them off balance but rather putting yourself off balance.
2. Remember this is a hip throw, not a leg sweep. You sweeping leg should only be used to improve the momentum of the hip throw not to sweep the leg. If your throw is dependent on leg contact you are doing it wrong.

Tsruikomi Goshi:

Pay special attention to the position of the hips in this throw. You will always struggle with this throw if your hips are in the wrong place.

Okuri Ashi-Harai:

Use your arms to lift. Don't let them flap about. If your arms flap like a bird you are not lifting.

Ura-Nage:

Do Not expect to get this throw looking like this very quickly. The high lift takes a lot of practice. The throw can be done with a low lift as long as your Uke is cooperating and does a good roll. Please work up to the high lift.

There are many more comments that can be made. There must have been or if there hasn't there certainly could be book and books written on this kata. But I hope these few comments have help and are a good companion to the video below.

Enjoy
Sensai
Richard