Big Impact - Judo for Rugby

Big Judo's 'Big Impact' Judo for Rugby programme with the Kings College First XV is going great.  We are now in the fifth week and are really enjoying delivering the programme.

'Big Impact' started back in November 2013 when we sat down with the coaching staff discussed what they wanted to achieve and how we could use Judo techniques to deliver a programme that would meet their requirements.

The fact that we are experienced playing Rugby and League as well as Judo and have access to good technical advice on Rugby rules meant that we were able to develop a pretty specific programme designed to meet the coaches objectives.

'Big Impact - Judo for Rugby' will continue to evolve. When we finish the programme we work with the coaching staff to assess the effectiveness of the training,  So the next time we deliver this programme it will be even better.

The guys on the mat.  We are doing some skills instruction. Judo features a range of body movement skills that help players especially in the tackle, standing in the ruck or maul, turning an opponent in the tackle or moving them on the ground.  When we work with a rugby team we talk to the coaching staff and develop the programme specifically to meet their training needs.

Drilling movements off the mat while the rest of the team is wrestling on the mat.  'Big Impact - Rugby for Judo' uses a lot of supervised wrestling because it provides a great learning environment in which to practice the body movement skills we teach and to condition the players.  If the mat area is too small for all the squad to wrestle at once we split them and drill movements and strengthening exercises.  A key objective is to maximise the benefits of each session. 

Ground wrestling.  Safety is paramount and we always start our wrestling programme on the ground with players fighting from the kneeling position.  This allows the players to assimilate skills without the risk of big falls.  When we are confident about their ability to fall we include standing wrestling. The crash pads at the side allow the players to practice very dynamic 'turning' in the tackle movements with less risk of injury.

If you are interested in 'Big Impact - Judo for Rugby' drop me an email - ben@benstallworthy.com

Big Judo Kids Going Great Guns

Kids Judo is going 'great guns' we are in the third week of our first term and both Pukekohe and Central are getting awesome numbers and are having some really good classes.

Check out these photos and see what a great time the kids are having doing Judo.

'Mr Big' at Puke

A recent photo of the Puke Class lined up ready to bow off the mat.  Big Judo sticks to traditional protocols and we place a lot of emphasis of good behaviour and discipline on the mat.

The Big Judo instructors at Puke. Geoff, Ben, Karen and Tracey.  Tracey normally leads the kids classes but we all like to help out.  We also have a nice group of little brothers and sisters that come along. 

Central is going well too. This is some of the kids from our Beginners Class practicing fight on the ground. When they get a bit bigger we will move them up to our Big Kids Class.

Another shot of the beginners.

Here are Jordan and Ben with the Big Kids Class. At this stage the kids are starting to get graded and to compete in contests so the instruction gets a bit more technical. 

A nice shot of some good ground control being displayed by one of our big kids. 

Pukekohe Judo

Kids classes have started for 2014 in Pukekohe. We now have two nights Tuesdays and Fridays and the classes are going well. Tracey is leading the instruction and we have even got a few new members! 

Judo for Rugby - Big Impact - Judo for Rugby

Judo is an awesome option for rugby pre-season training. Grappling combat sports like Judo, Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu have been used by rugby teams as a pre-season training option for a long-time both in New Zealand and around the world.

This year Big Judo is pleased to be working with the King's College First Fifteen delivering our 'Big Impact - Judo for Rugby' training package.

Pre-season training in Judo and other grappling combat sports is a safe and effective option for conditioning and teaches rugby players new skills for maneuvering opponents in the tackle, ruck and maul.

Keep checking the website because we'll put up some photos and videos of the training.

If you are interested in 'Big Impact - Judo for Rugby' either email me at ben@benstallworthy.com or call me anytime on 021 688 289.