Judo Drills and Games #4 - Flamingo Randori
By guest coach: Sandra Bax of JudoTraining.nl
Here’s a fun warm-up called Flamingo Randori, provided by Sensei Sandra Bax of JudoTraining.nl. Flaming Randori is a great way to improve balance on one leg as well as learning about reactions as you try to outwit your partner.
You can find more about Sandra over at JudoTraining.nl where she has built an impressive database of judo related games and resources for judo instructors to use. Do take a look!
🇳🇱 Koop hier jouw Koka Kids boeken!
My thanks also to Sandra for her wonderful Dutch translation of three of the Koka Kids books. Plus there are now certificates available in the Dutch Language
🇳🇱 Judo Terminologie: 85 Japanse Woorden.
🇳🇱 Koka Kids Inzet Waardering Certificaten
More coming soon!
If you are based in The Netherlands please do get in touch directly with Sandra about how to buy the Dutch version of the Koka Kids books at club rates.
OK! On to the Warm-up Game and the Flamingoes…
Flamingo Randori
Goal: Improving balance on one leg
Minimum age: 6
Skills: Reaction and Balance
When: Warm-up, Randori
Intensity: Average to High
The story
The flamingos want to know who is the best at standing on one leg! This is going to be a battle and they will have to fight it out! On the command of “Rei” the flamingos try to make each other fall over. No gripping allowed.
Rules
The game is played in timed rounds, during which each judoka aims to collects points by making the other judoka put their lifted leg down on the mat.
1. Judoka pair up with plenty of space around them.
2. On the command of “Rei!” each judoka lifts one leg and the round begins with each judoka trying to get their partner to lose balance.
3. You’re not allowed to swap legs during the round.
4. You’re not allowed to use your arms, keep them on your back.
5. You win a point each time the other judoka puts their lifted leg on the mat.
Then the round resets and everyone is allowed to swap legs. Keep track of the points and after a few rounds count them up to see who is the winner.
Change it up!
Here are some variations you can play
● Allow the judoka to swap legs every 5-10 seconds during the round.
● The judoka who loses the round gets swap legs if they want to. The winning judoka isn’t allowed to swap legs.
Increase difficulty
Increase difficulty
● Let the judoka create a circle with their belts, this is the only area they are allowed to move in. If you manage to get the other judoka outside of the circle, you get a point!
● Group Flamingo Randori. Everyone is allowed to fight each other. Make sure they safely and don’t bump into the back of a judoka. Before they engage with another judoka they must make eye contact first.
Hope you like this. What balancing drills you use at your dojo? Please share them in this week’s chat: you can join the discussion here:
Until next week,
Nik
Nicola Fairbrother MBE, 8th Dan
- 1992 Olympic Silver Medallist
- 1993 World Champion
- Publisher of Koka Kids children’s judo books
PS! Heads up! I’m doing a special Christmas Giveaway for all paying subscribers, with the chance to win Koka Kids Banners, Lots of Books for your members and More.
If you’re a paying subscriber just sit tight all will be announced soon. If you’re still on a free account - then now might be just the right time to upgrade your account Just saying. ;-)
