One of the things I'm learning right now as an adult beginner is that there isn't a really well defined path from beginner to intermediate. This is something that I didn't expect when starting Judo.

In the beginner's class we're mostly slowly practicing technique but since there are so few beginners and they don't really seem to stay for that long, we're constantly re-learning stuff from step one.

I tried out the intermediate class but there's very little explanation of techniques and we're dropped into randori straight away and almost everyone has trained in Judo since childhood except for me. I'm finding it difficult to develop fluency with the movements and I feel like I'm holding my training partners back in that class.

What I really need to do right now is lots and lots of Uchikomi and Tai-Sabaki until I get comfortable with doing the movements at speed but we do almost none of that in the beginner's class. The children's class does a lot of this stuff but the adult beginners don't seem to be around long enough to get to the point where they can do lots of Uchikomi.

Right now I'm trying to pair up with black belts who want to warm up for the class after mine just to do 20 minutes of Uchikomi at the end of my class. I'll have to figure out another way to get the numbers, I'll probably get some resistance bands to train at home.

Sounds like an issue with the class Leo. Every Judo class I've been to does Uchikomi. Everyone does it, from beginners to advanced students. The advance class sounds more like a randori based session.

See if you can find a training partner to drill Uchikomi with (no throws!) before class. Or worse case scenario, look for another Judo class. Your experience isn't something I've went through, it could just be the school you are with doing things differently.

Just a hunch, but does a different coach take the beginners classes and the advance classes?

I think it's because the adult beginner's class is so small. I have arranged to stay after class for an hour to do Uchikomi with the coach. The beginner class is mostly just static throws onto the crash mat.

Yes, the coach for the intermediate class has a very different style of teaching. He's pretty hands-off and assumes that you're fluent with your Uchikomi. All of the people in that class have done Judo since they were kids.

People in the intermediate class were pretty surprised to hear that I only started Judo a few months ago. They were very supportive and helpful but I just couldn't keep up with them. There aren't many adult beginners here.

Glad for you that they were so accommodating.
Good luck to you.

Thanks iaibear!

I'm in this for the long haul. No matter how long it takes, I'll become skilled in Judo.

Funny. :-)
That's the way I feel about Aikido
Into it since 1994 and still can't do a forward roll.

Just had my first knee injury ever. I twisted my knee while side stepping. I only had my own weight on my leg but it just collapsed out under me, bending sideways slightly.

There was a doctor at the Dojo who determined that it might have been a minor dislocation. We iced it immediately at the Dojo. I'm still able to move my toes and ankle without pain and after two days of RICE, I've regained some range of motion. Hopefully it's not a tear, I'm going to visit my GP today or tomorrow to get a diagnosis. I'm already wearing a knee brace in the meantime and continuing RICE in bed all day.

Hey Leo,

Sorry to hear about your injury. As I said in your BJJ or Judo thread, it was the injuries that kept me out of Judo I've been at BJJ steady for nearly a year and no injuries. Just generally a safer art, although it does depend on how you train.

Rest up and I hope you recover quickly. As much as you might want to succeed at Judo, it's not worth doing long term damage to yourself. As my old coach use to say, if you want a black belt in Judo you pay in pain and suffering. You have to ask yourself is that a price you are willing to pay, and the way it might effect your life long term.