Sorry, you're an authority around here, so you're not really allowed to ask for advice. It muddles up the hierarchy.
Fear not, my ego is big enough to make me comfortable giving advice to a world champion.
Hey all my judo enthusiasts, I'm looking for some solo Judo drills (I see a lot of high level players working foot movement/with bands) to add to the end of my morning workout, when I'm usually by myself. I'm godawful at Judo and a disgrace to even a whitebelt, so any videos or extra effort with explanation would be greatly appreciated. If you have any tips on progression (i.e. "once you get this drill, start adding this,") or frequency/number each time, also would love. As a final request, do you do them to both sides or just your strong side? I've heard conflicting info.
Thank y'all.
It would be useful to know what techniques you generally use and would like to practice.
That said caveat emptor - doing unsupervised solo drills usually makes bad habits permanent rather than perfecting good habits.
Before starting on specific technique shadow uchikomi its important to build fundamental movement skills.
You need to get
observation of the triangle and correct foot placement down.
To practice observing the triangle use the lines of the mat to help you, put two flip flops or socks or folded belts down on two perpendicualr lines to form a triangle. The flip flops substitute feet, it should look something like this:
Use the convergence of the two mat lines as the peak of the triangle. This is a guide point for where you first step should be place. Never step beyond the point and try not to step in front of it.
If your mat is one of those vinyl tarpaulin jobs then you can use chalk to draw the lines and it comes off with a bit of water.
Practice your entry footwork always ensuring that your initial step is on the point of the triangle.
Video example with a partner
Next ensure correct foot placement.
The first step should be placed normally.
The second step, which is your pivoting foot should be made with the ball of the foot and should be place firmly into the mat. Firm enough to make a noise, but obviously not enough that you hurt your foot.
Ensure your pivot foot placement feels natural and comfortable, don't swing back too far so that you feel of balance. This will translate into screwing up your throw when a partner is added in.
Then square out your feet so that you end up in position for a forward technique
Ignore the red box, the image was designed for something else.
Once you have this fundamental stepping pattern down you can then practice pretty much any forward throw of your choosing.
I strongly recommend leaving resistance bands or weights alone until you have got the footwork done and spent some time practising turn ins for techniques.
Resistance bands will make any technical flaws much worse. So concentrate on just solo drilling until you feel really comfortable with it and then add in resistance.
Here's a good example of the kind of solo shadow drills you can do before adding in resistance. The first minute is the main bit that's of use
If you have specific techniques you want to train then obviously there are specific drills and tips that may help.
