Judo Drills & Games #1 - Belt Races

By guest coach: Miriam Blasco 8th Dan (Olympic, World and European Champion and coach of the Club Judo Miriam Blasco, in Spain)

Here’s a fun warm up to improve explosive power and cardio, provided by Miriam Blasco. Miriam, Olympic, World and European champion, coach of Club Judo Miriam Blasco says: “You can use this warm-up in hundreds of different ways by changing the exercises and throws.”

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1. Belt Race

The judoka pair up. One stands on one edge of the mat, the other stands opposite on the other side of the mat. A judo belt is placed in the centre, between both judoka.

When the coach claps their hands, both judoka must race to the centre, grab one end of the belt, and pull it back to their side of the mat. A tug-of-war follows until the coach claps their hands again, when both judoka must freeze where they are.

The judoka closest to their side of the mat gets to throw the other judoka.

2. Belt Race + Exercises

This time, the judoka must do an exercise (press-ups, sit-ups, jumps etc) until the coach claps their hands and the race towards the belt begins. There are endless exercises you can do to vary the beginning of the race.

During the tug-of-war, you can bring in elements of judo. Judoka can change the tension in the belt (like you would when pushing and pulling with kumi-kata) or use ashi-waza to unsettle their partner.

Once again, at the end of the tug-of war, the judoka closest to their side of the mat gets to throw the other judoka.

3. Belt Race + Ukemi

This time, when the coach claps their hands, both judoka must do an ushiro ukemi (backward breakfall), before they race towards the belt.

Make sure the judoka have enough space around them to be able to do the ushiro ukemi safely, and they stay in their own “lanes” as they run towards the belt.

For younger judoka, instead of starting from a standing position, start with the judoka sat down with their legs out in front of them, and do a simple ushiro ukemi from this sitting position.

Like before, at the end of the tug-of-war, the judoka closest to their side of the mat gets to throw the other judoka.

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Hope you like this. What drills you use at your dojo? Please share them in this week’s chat: you can join the discussion here!

You can also use the chat to ask about Miriam’s drills above.

Until next week,

Nik

Nicola Fairbrother MBE, 8th Dan
- 1992 Olympic Silver Medallist
- 1993 World Champion
- Publisher of Koka Kids children’s judo books

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