Expert: Peter Boyes - 1/5/2010

Question
hello peter,what judo throws work for a short partner against a tall partner with long limbs? what judo throws work against short partners


Answer
Hi Mike,

I'm a believer that at any stage in your Judo career you should have 3 current throws that you are working on - a) your current best throw, b) your previous best throw, c) your new throw that you are just developing.

Each of these throws should be used/practiced against a variety of opponents.

Obviously, some may work better in one circumstance rather than another, but you should never be limited to thinking that "I must do technique 'A' against this opponent who is 6 inches taller than me".

Seoinage (both Ippon and Morote) and generally thought to be easier against a taller opponent, but what about their longer limbs - do they have good ashiwaza, or perhaps strong/stiff arms ?

Therefore, my advice is to choose a technique and develop it in a variety of circumstances, once you have refined it then gradually phase it out in preference of a new technique and proceed with this cycle. This has the added advantage in that your opponents initially whink of you as a practioner of technique A and by the time they have developed a counter-technique you will have progressed on to technique B and all their counter work will need to be started afresh.

I hope you can envisage what I am describing, but I cannot suggest one all powerful technique for you to use against player A who is taller etc - it may be a moot point anyway as he may be accustomed to fighting smaller/shorter opponents and will have already mastered a counter technique.

I hope this helps,
Pete.