Judo frequency time: how much is too little?

[jclaudevandamme]

Right now I am training BJJ and have been wanting to add something to my stand-up skills. My objectives are mainly fun, self-defense and competition, in this order of importance.
I have two choices:
Judo for a full grappling knowledge.
Sanda for a striking and takedown mix.

Judo I could train 2x week maximum, which would be 1.5 hours at monday and 1 hour at saturday.
Sanda I could train 3x week maximum, each class being 1 hour long, tuesday, thursday and saturday.
Alternatively I can train Judo + Sanda, 2 classes of Sanda (2 hours/ week total) and 1 of Judo at saturday (1 hour/ week total). Any other combination is impossible due to money.

For people that already got experience in Judo, would training 2.5 hours/week be enough to actually learn something in able time? I am asking in a 1 and half, 2 years basis. After that I get my degree and no guarantee that I will be living in a town where I could train Judo (probably I wont) so my objective was, if I started training, to at least know enough to convince or pay someone to start training with me so I don't rust totally while traveling around and getting particular lessons to keep learning even if slowly.

If you think that I cannot actually get any real progress in this way, would you recommend me just dropping Judo totally and getting into Sanda, which uses a lot of simpler takedown techniques which I can probably get into a decent level after 2 years in, or do 1 hour a week of Judo and get what little I can while using the Sanda environment to get a little bit of extra takedown skill?

Assume that in my BJJ classes we always start from the knees.
Thank you.

 

[nomoremondays]

2 times per week would be the choice. Especially if its nicely spaced like monday and thursday or something like that. as long as its not back to back you will be fine. 2/3 days gap in between to digest the days training is ok in the beginning.
dont know anything about sanda or bjj, but i know enough about training to say if you are a beginner try not to do more than two arts at a time...

 

[QingTian]

The main factor is always going to be the school and teacher, and also which you are more interested in

 

[kintana]

What do you want more to be a complete martial artist in the sense of a striking and grappling background? If yes I say take Sanda

If you want to work on your takedowns go for Judo.

 

[judokajitz]

Judo 2 x wk for that little amount of time will take a long time to actually get good at throwing other judoka... but you will learn how not to get thrown much quicker though and that will definitely make you more comfortable on your feet for bjj.

Also, if you are trying to add to your standup game with bjj in mind try to focus on judo throws that translate well into bjj... especially foot sweeps, uchi mata, tai otoshi sacrifice throws (worst case scenario you usually end up in guard.) You can also use grips in bjj that are illegal in judo, so keep that in the back of your head as you practice judo throws... Shoulder throws, especially seoi nage aren't the best for bjj as you often end up getting your back taken if the throw fails...

 

[jujijimmy]

after a couple of yrs of doing judo 2x a week your standup will at a level that will be benifical to your bjj. what the hell is sanda? im going to have a look on google. i like throws like Sumi Gaeshi agains the typical lower bjj posture.

 

[bLikeWater]

I'm hella jealous of anyone who lives near a sanda school. And from a self-defense perspective, it's worth being at least somewhat versed in strikes, even if your only goal is to dodge them so you can tie up and get a takedown. In that sense of blending strikes and takedowns, sanda is probably the best art out there.

 

[dimi108]

You're lucky to have a Sanda school nearby mate. Very cool.

Having reached the rank of brown belt in Judo, training Judo 2.5 hours a week will be okay for self defence but not enough to effectively master the stand up aspect of the art. If Judo is your choice for standup I recommend you train 3 times per week.
Training 3 times a week for 12 months you will see a massive improvement in your takedowns and takedown defence. Huge difference! And you'll learn quick too because you're from a BJJ background.

Try and do a few novice Judo competitions as well for the Kyu grades (colour belts).
Win or lose you'll gain experience fast through Judo competitions.

My Judo coach (Athens Olympian Morgan Endicott-Davies) always said "one full day of competition will add three months of training experience on top of what you have".

For Judo, In the beginning they will teach you basic breakfalls, shrimping (ebi), falling techniques (ukemi), grip fighting, and basic throws like the hip throw (o goshi) and one arm shoulder throw (ippon seoi nage). They will also show you how to effectively defend against throws and reversals which are very important.

Judo have some very good throws which are very effective for gi and no gi training.

I actually won my ADCC fight using a Judo throw called ippon seoi nage.
Which gained me a 2 point advantage (thank god for that lol).

Good luck mate and keep us updated.

 

[RJ Green]

The hours you put in are less important than what you put into the hours. Any Judo is better than no Judo. You never stop learning. Have fun and let us know how it goes! Good luck dude.

 

[darkgojira]

Assuming your at an average american club or university club that isn't San Jose State, two days a week isn't going to cut it. Three times a week is more desirable and the instructor level is also going to be important obviously. I didn't see improvements in my throws until I upped my training from 2x/2hrs a week to 4x/2hrs a week. Along with doing privates with Olympians, I saw my throws improve more in 1 year than in the 5 years before that. Quality of instruction is probably what is going to get you what you want out of judo.

If the quality isn't there and you can't do three times a week, Sanda sounds awesome. Wish I could find a gym and train.

 

[RJ Green]

Assuming your at an average american club or university club that isn't San Jose State, two days a week isn't going to cut it. Three times a week is more desirable and the instructor level is also going to be important obviously. I didn't see improvements in my throws until I upped my training from 2x/2hrs a week to 4x/2hrs a week. Along with doing privates with Olympians, I saw my throws improve more in 1 year than in the 5 years before that. Quality of instruction is probably what is going to get you what you want out of judo.

If the quality isn't there and you can't do three times a week, Sanda sounds awesome. Wish I could find a gym and train.

We hosted NCJAs yesterday and I had the pleasure of meeting some SJSU players, Uchida Sensei, and talking to Coach Jose. Besides putting on a Harai Goshi clinic, they were some of the nicest, coolest guys I've met, and you can tell their success comes from a combination of hard work and awesome leadership. If I had to pick a club besides my club, it'd be that one.

 

[darkgojira]

We hosted NCJAs yesterday and I had the pleasure of meeting some SJSU players, Uchida Sensei, and talking to Coach Jose. Besides putting on a Harai Goshi clinic, they were some of the nicest, coolest guys I've met, and you can tell their success comes from a combination of hard work and awesome leadership. If I had to pick a club besides my club, it'd be that one.

Im lucky enough to have a sensei who coached at san jose for a while when he first came to the states. Those guys are top class.

 

[Fighting fungus]

Never took Judo, but I have seen bjj guys train Judo for 2 times a week for 6 months and land throws in bjj comps.