Judo

=Judo ~ The Gentle Way =

Introduction
Judo is a modern Japanese martial art, based using grapples, throws, and similar maneuvers to bring an opponent to the ground. To win an official judo match, one has to either throw his person to the ground shoulder first, pin the person on his back, or force him to submit through locks and chokes. Each of these different ways to win invokes several different strategies to try and achieve victory. Judo also takes the base of many self-defense training in military drills worldwide. Judo's name, Jūdō or  柔道 ,, translates to "The Gentle Way" referring to the way that this martial art puts effort in preventing serious harm to an opponent, at least when done correctly. Even when a choke results in unconsciousness, that is the worse that can happen should the choker perform it correctly and let go immediately afterward. The same goes to throws and locks, and cause little or no injury when performed correctly. This is why a person practicing Judo for competition purpose has to go through a test to prove that they will cause no harm to their opponents.

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History
Judo was founded by Jigoro Kano (1860-1938) in 1882. Jigoro was a frail, sickly person, even in his twenties, and was constantly bullied. Kano started pursuing Jujitsu, a dying art, at the age of 18, as recommended by his doctor. Following the teachings of Fukuda Hachinosuke and later Iso Masatamo, Kano learned from him that technique is more important than strength. Kano, through dedication, reached the rank of master instructor at the age of 21. In his own time, Kano devised new techniques, such as the shoulder wheel based on scientific principles and laws of motion. At only the age of 22, Kano took nine students with him to practice his new form of jujitsu in Kamakura. This was considered the official founding of Kodokan Judo, the original form of Judo.

Judo Attire
Usually one would learn judo from a teacher, called a Sensei. Upon which the student will become a Judoka, a practitioner of Judo. In earlier years, Judoka was reserved to those of higher ranks, and those of earlier ranks were known as kenkyu-sei, or trainees. This however has been removed, and the term Judoka now refers to all people training in judo. In both training and competitions, a Judoka would traditionally wear a white heavy-weaved quilted jacket with white drawstring pants, both made of cotton. This was what made up the Jūdōgi, or simply "Judo Uniform". The Judogi was designed by Kano in 1907, and has been adapted into many martial arts. Sometimes, the Judogi can sometimes be blue, but this is only for help in distinguishing contestants when they're wrestling with one another. The jacket of the Judogi is held in place by a belt, named an obi. The obi would usually be colored to identify the Judoka's rank, or occasionally their age. The first rank is universally a white belt, later ranks can have different colors depending on the country. In most places though, it goes from white to brown, to black, to red.

Rules
A match begins with both people standing up. Judges and a referee would look on and announce the beginning of a match. The first phase is always the tachi-waza, or standing phase, each combatant would try to throw their opponent onto his back. If deemed a successful throw by the referee and the judges, the one still standing earns an ippon, which is worth one point. One point is all that is needed to win a match, so a successful throw-down would win the match. Other ways to earn an ippon would include a twenty-five second hold, or an opponent submits. Should a throw-down be less successful, the person would instead be awarded a waza-ari, which is worth half a point, and the ground phase would begin. A waza-ari can also be awarded for a twenty second hold. Earning two waza-ari's will total up to an ippon, and thus win the match. A third form of measuring score includes the Yuko, but this was only ever used for tie breakers, should either opponent have the same score at the end of a match.

In any case that a contestant ends up on the ground and the match is yet to be won, the ne-waza phase would begin. The combatants would now be on their hands and knees and would wrestle one another to try and pin the person on their back for a set amount of time, usually twenty to twenty-five seconds. In official competitions however, it is allowed to use a choke, by locking your arm around a person's neck and strangling him to unconsciousness or submission, thus earning an ippon. In anything less than an official competition however, it is strictly forbidden.

Penalties are in the representation of scores awarded to the opponent, the first one is a Yuko, then a Waza-ari, and finally the offender will get hansoku make, which results in an ippon for the opponent, ending the match, and disqualifying the offender from the tournament all together. Hansoku make can also be given for serious rule breaking.

__Throws__

 * Phase:** Standing
 * Summary:** Grabs the opponent with both arms, from in front or behind, and pushes or pulls him onto the floor. A successful attempt can increase score and begin the ground phase
 * Effectiveness:** A throw that knocks the person onto their back can score an ippon, winning the match. Otherwise it earns a waza-ari

__Hold-downs__

 * Phase:** Ground
 * Summary:** You grab the person and pin them by their shoulders, most effective to have your back to them and hold two of their limbs. Holding them down for a set amount of time can earn a waza-ari or ippon, depending on what their score is.
 * Effectiveness:** It is difficult to do on a tough opponent, but is basic and simple

__Guard__

 * Phase:** Ground
 * Summary:** If a person is trying to hold you down, you can wrap your legs around the person's trunk. Pinning the person as much as you are pinned. Large amount of training can turn the tables of the match with this maneuver.
 * Effectiveness:** An effective counter to the hold down, and can

__Joint-lock__

 * Phase:** Ground
 * Summary:** You grab the person's limb, a leg or arm, and twist it in a way so you can hold it down in place, this can be behind the back, around the chest, or simply outstretched.
 * Effectiveness:** Most commonly used in junction with a hold-down, to minimize the risk of being thrown

__Chokes__

 * Phase:** Ground
 * Summary:** Lock your arms around the person's neck, while using your legs to hold them down. Then hold until your opponent submits or loses consciousness
 * Effectiveness:** A very useful move, but only allowed in certain competitions.