Coaching Judo at Home: A Father and Son’s Journey with Koka Kids Newaza
"It’s one of my absolute favourite ways of bonding with my son. We both have a blast! I can already see significant improvements and he is getting very comfortable doing judo on the ground."
In this post, I’d like to focus one judo parent who uses Koka Kids Newaza books to help coach his son at home: Alastair Norton.
Alastair Norton, a member of The Budokwai in London, returned to judo when his son (who was just three years old at the time) was asking to “wrestle” at home all the time.
Alastair told me, “I thought I should probably get a proper head start, and learn the basics again correctly, so I could coach him at home a little later!”
These home sessions have now become part of their daily routine. Alastair said “It’s one of my absolute favourite ways of bonding with my son. We both have a blast! I can already see significant improvements and he is getting very comfortable doing judo on the ground.”
For each session Alastair sets up “dojo corner” on the living room floor and works through the Koka Kids newaza series (Learn 10 Judo Hold Downs and Learn Judo Groundwork Master 20 Turnovers).
“Every day when my son asks me to “judo wrestle!” we’ll get out the books, and flip to a page. He’ll point down to the technique in front of him and ask that we practice “this one!”
Ensuring safety and correct technique
Recently, Alastair organised a one-to-one session with Budokwai instructor, Kohta Nishizono to make sure they are practicing all the techniques correctly at home.
“Sensei Kohta had the brilliant idea of recording a slow video of each technique, including his verbal instructions. He suggested I could then use the videos to help coach my son the techniques during our practice sessions at home.”
Sensei Kohta showing the Pull Through and Twist Back - two of the turnovers in the Learn Judo Groundwork Master 20 Turnovers book.
Coaching Judo at Home: A Father and Son’s Journey with Koka Kids - An interview with Alastair Norton
Here is the full interview with Alastair. I hope it triggers ideas and inspiration for other mums and dads out there looking to do the same.
How do you use the Koka Kids books to encourage your son during your home-judo sessions?
My son (who is 5 years old) and I work through the “newaza series” (the koka kids judo turnovers book and the hold-downs book) every day when he asks me to “judo wrestle!” He’ll get out the books, and flip to a page. He’ll point down to the technique in front of him and ask that we practice “this one!”. We’ll work on 1-2 moves this way every session and then we’ll have a gentle “newaza randori” session after, where we free-practice very lightly and playfully. Tickles are also a big part of the training.
Why do the books help learning?
The books are fantastic because they are child friendly. The layout, the graphics, and the characters all draw in my son’s attention. The books are well structured from a technical judo perspective too. They show the techniques and concepts in a way that is fun for us both to explore together. He is too young to realise, but the progression of the techniques also helps him start to understand different judo groundwork set up options, and how to chain together techniques based on the other judo players’ reactions. The books are super fun and informative - they are an excellent resource and every judo family should have them to practice at home together!!!
Do you have a small dojo in your house?
We set up a “dojo corner” one side of the living room floor in our small flat for every session. We ordered some pretty affordable mats on Amazon, which fold up easily. We put them down on the floor when we wish to practice, and then we fold them up again and put them away after training. This way we keep the floor clear for the rest of the day (I wish we had more space in the flat so we could leave them down the whole time!). We train whenever when we can - essentially whenever my son asks! It’s an absolute blast for us both, and even in a small flat, we make it work. Mummy joins in too!
Can you tell us more about the one-to-one groundwork class with Sensei Kohta and how that came about?
I have been rehabbing a leg injury since February, and I was desperate to keep training judo in a way that I could continue to grow as a judoka even with a tricky injury. Sensei Kohta at the Budokwai very kindly offered to coach me. He’s an excellent instructor, and he has had me focusing on throw setups, grip fighting and newaza.
Before one of our sessions I asked if we could work through the turnovers in the Judo Turnovers Koka Kids book! I thought it would be good fun, and I could also make sure my son and I are practicing all the techniques correctly at home. Sensei Kohta had the brilliant idea of recording a slow video of each technique, including his verbal instructions. He suggested I could then use the videos to help coach my son the techniques during our practice sessions at home (and remind myself of the details).
We split up the 20 techniques into five sets. We recorded 5 at a time with Sensei Kohta as tori, and me as uke; then we switched roles off camera so I could practice doing each of the five sets of techniques as Tori too.
We had the book right next to us on the mat and worked through. It was a ton of fun. Working this way also showed me the logic of the techniques, and how they follow on from each other, which I hadn’t fully appreciated before. First one technique is shown, and then another which shows how to adjust the turnover approach if the opponent defends in a certain way against the original technique. This shows how to set up traps and double threat attacks, using reactions, just like in stand up judo, when we all chain combinations of throws together. As my son gets older, I hope to help him see these possibilities too. It was a fantastic session with Sensei Kohta, and my son and I continue to practice against the videos time and time again. So the session continues to be really useful through the videos!
What are the main benefits of practicing judo at home with your son?
There are so many benefits to training at home in this way for us. First, it is one of my absolute favourite ways of bonding with my son. We both have a blast, and it has become a part of our daily routine, usually before meal times. This means we end up training a lot together, and it’s now a part of our rhythm of family life.
Second, it helps my son learn and remember techniques. He is starting to build them (and their logic) into his muscle memory. I can already see significant improvements and he is getting very comfortable doing judo on the ground. Looking back, I still can’t believe he was doing judo groundwork as a young toddler!
Third, it is helping him learn and understand new ways of moving, which builds confidence. Judo helps him keep calm, level-headed and focused, and he is always so happy after we finish a session. Last but not least, it’s a great way to break up homework, and we use it as a reward / motivator to encourage him to work through his schoolwork. (“We can judo wrestle if you finish your homework!”).
What is your advice to other judo parents?
I highly recommend every parent with a young child who trains in judo pick up the newaza series from koka kids and start to train with their child at home. Even gentle cooperative training is a huge amount of fun! Try it and you’ll see! Must haves for any judo family!
Calling London Judoka: Newaza-only class!
A message to our readers from Alastair Norton:
I am on the lookout for other older judoka in the London area who may want to train judo newaza-only occasionally for one reason or another (in my case to manage my leg injury by limiting falls for now). I am sure there are others. My email is ajmnorton@gmail.com. Do be in touch if you are an older judoka who is keen to join a judo newaza-only group. We may even be able to get a class going, under Sensei Kohta’s instruction at the Budokwai, if we have the numbers!
Buying the right Koka Kids Book for Your Child
For more on Buying the right Koka Kids judo book for your child - see our Parent’s Guide or read a short synopsis on what’s in each book here: Books for Kids who Love Judo.