Tris’ Blog

I have a battered Orange SPV M3100 (HTC Hermes), which normally syncs fine over my USB connection at work, but is currently being somewhat sporadic with my Vista laptop.

Sometimes, nothing will happen. The mobile will draw power from the laptop, and you can even establish Internet Connection Sharing, but the phone will not be detected for syncing or file transfer.

So I decided to give Bluetooth a go. No wires! What could possibly go wrong?

Firstly, Toshiba’s Bluetooth stack was no help at all. When pairing the laptop and mobile, it would give “Connection refused” errors. So much for always installing the official drivers! Waste of time. I uninstalled the stack and let Vista manage it. Much simpler interface, and this time the pairing worked.

Now, I ran into a “Gotcha!” here. You have to explicitly enable Bluetooth connections in Sync Center’s configuration. But then you have to RE-ESTABLISH THE PAIRING! You see, when the mobile first connects, Vista doesn’t offer ActiveSync as an option due to it being disabled, and it will not detect it after the fact either!

Nothing too complex, just annoying.

Then it’s just a case of going into the mobile’s ActiveSync software, and selecting “Connect via Bluetooth” in the menu. Once done, Sync Center picked it up and it all “just worked”.

I still don’t know why the USB connection is no longer working though. USB is explicitly enabled for syncing on both the laptop and the mobile… grr…

Well, it is a week ago now, and I think it has finally sunk in!

I attended one of the final Kyu gradings before the new Technical Syllabus kicks in. Due to it being one of the last ones, there were Judoka from as far afield as Wales, Dorset and East Sussex.

I went in as 3rd Kyu and had two fights. I won both by Ippon and neither presented me with much problem. I certainly don’t mean this in an egotistical way: It says more for the quality of the Judoka who throw me about on a regular basis in training preparing me well for it! (One of the final sessions before this left me a total wreck, both physically and mentally, and my confidence was not very high at all). But I guess I managed to “turn it on” for the day.

Here’s a video of one of those fights (Thanks to the attendees from Windsor Judo Club for recording it):

Even better, the two club-mates who attended as well both successfully graded up on the day.

As I had nothing to lose at this point, I decided to go for points towards my Dan grade. This was really to assess the standard so I could see where I had to get to. I lost my two qualifying fights quite convincingly, but managed to Tani Otoshi someone in a line-up I was in, so walked away with 10 points (100 required over time). Not a bad start!

I’m not sure when I will go for points again. I feel I really do need to settle into my brown belt before continuing. But we’ll see.

I’ve indulged in a BJJ lesson on the side (Excellent - lots of drills and great techniques), but am not sure if I’d be able to fit it in on a regular basis. Nice to have the option though.

I think it’s more likely that I will make more of an effort to attend the “high-end” Randori sessions, and pick up a thrashing from the long-term black belts. It forces me to capitalise on movement, rather than just wait and be thrown. Watching the video above, I worked the movement and grips, and I need to make sure I do that at all times in training. Easier said than done when doing Randori with people with many, many years more experience though

Now to get learning that Kata…

So, training continues…

I’m back into the swing of weight training. Slow improvements, but they are there.

As previously posted, my stamina has been letting me down in competition. Aside from the attitude that I’ll have to push myself more in Judo sessions, I’m supplementing the weight training with two days of cardio a week.

I’m sticking with the Tabata system, although now using Rowing as an exercise. I feel this workout may be more Judo relevant, due to it using a wider range of muscles than just my legs!

It seems the Concept2 rower has a great reputation in general, and handily my gym has three of them!

A side effect of this routine adjustment is that my Squats suffered this morning (My body still recovering from the rowing movements the day before). I had to reduce the weight. But there was a significant gain in my Deadlift, and I have fixed my wrist issues with the Bench press (Although I was making sure my right hand was holding the bar correctly, I was then subconciously putting it back in to the wrong position when I looked away again! I made MORE of an effort today… problem solved!)

I took my Area Referee Practical Exam at the Hampshire Closed Trials last week. As I now live and (mostly) train in Surrey I wasn’t eligible to compete in this one.

It was certainly stressful and pressured to begin with, but by the afternoon I was into my stride, and to be honest, would have fancied doing a lot more!

It was great to see the other side of the fence, so to speak, and all the Referees were very welcoming, patient and helpful.

Saw plenty of Judo, including some great sportsmanship, but due to having to concentrate on the whole Refereeing part, I didn’t pick up as many Judo tips as I originally thought I might have been able to

My nerves meant I made a few mistakes - hence being glad everyone was patient! Hurrah for the Majority of Three decision-making process…

I passed the exam (which was conducted by being observed and making sure nobody died on my watch), so just pending my fancy badge and so on to arrive!

So, the Southern Kyu and Dan Grade Cup 2008 has been and gone. This was hosted at K2, Crawley - a very impressive venue. It’s a shame I didn’t get to explore it all.

I was entered in the -90s Kyu category, although on arrival I was given the option of also entering the Masters. I just about qualify now I am 30! The disadvantage here is that the Masters was Kyu AND Dan! I entered anyway, as it was free, and I had the option of withdrawing later if I wanted to.

JP and family were in attendance, so I was not too lonely! He was particularly brave as they combined his category (-100) with the +100s - and there were some very big men there! Oh, and they were Dan grades too.

I had better luck with the category. I was one of four and a good mix of grades. 2nd Kyu, 3rd Kyu (me!), 4th Kyu and 8th Kyu.

So, on with the fights…

First was against the 2nd Kyu. Young (transitioned junior?). This was tough. Evenly managed and although I was constantly putting attacks in, primarily sacrifice oriented, I was not getting the scores I needed. His Newaza was very strong, and although several times I defended well eventually he passed my guard and caught me with a hold for Ippon.

After this I realised that my fitness was not all it should be. I was tiring quickly, hence my Judo became exceptionally defensive and I wasn’t creating movement, looking for dynamic opportunities and so on. Recent throws I have learned and loved such as Uchimata and Osoto Gari just were not featuring.

The second fight was against the 4th Kyu, also a younger guy. Exceptionally tough fight. Again, my stamina was rubbish, and although I was getting scores so was he! His gripping was excellent and several times he caught both my sleeves before I got any grip at all - very unnerving. This fight went the distance. With just 10 seconds left, the scores were level, and I managed a final score (Koka? Yuko? No idea). The buzzer went and I had won.

I was exhausted. Totally. I just about managed to bow, let alone celebrate the win. Did I mention I need to work on my stamina yet?

The full five-minute fights were in use, and I’ve never had a grading or competition which used that length. JP was kind enough to make sure the table gave me the full five-minute rest period. I needed it!

Final fight was against the 8th Kyu, who was also an old guy like me. I could tell from the grip this would be okay, but I was still tired and to be honest I didn’t care any more about trying to do elegant Judo. I just wanted to win. Two sacrifices for Wazari each. Win in 16 seconds. The tiredness also meant I just did not capitalise on any Newaza advantage on the first throw. Stamina is so key.

Now, as my second fight had not been won out-right, there was still the risk I would be knocked into Bronze if the 4th Kyu won his final fight (againt the 2nd Kyu). The 2nd Kyu won though (by a fantastic strangle), so Silver was mine.

As I was so tired, and happy with my achievement, I withdrew from the Masters. Part of me wishes I had gone through with it, but I still ache today, so I think I made the right decision.

A great day, and I know what I need to work on (Stamina!). It let me down so much. Most of the stuff I routinely use in training just didn’t factor as a result…. On the positive note, I kept up the attacks (even if not as varied as I would have liked) and defended well. I didn’t receive any penalties from the day.

I think one of the first throws I was taught was Ippon Seoinage.

I struggled with it. A lot. “Fitting in” was wrong, rotation to complete the throw… you name it, it wasn’t working.

With Judo, common advice is to never compare yourself with others, but rather look at your own journey in the Art. What have you learned since last year, for example?

Seoinage is one of these. I can remember graduating to where I could do it in Uchikomi comfortably, then varying it with Morote Seoinage.

Now? Well, I’ve started using it a bit in Randori, even though once upon a time I was convinced it would never work. I’d use the classic excuse of it not being a good throw for the taller Judoka (technically, yes, it IS more difficult if you are taller…. but in no way impossible… that’s what knees are for!). But now I’ve had it work nicely a few times, although I tend to perform it off the lapel rather than the sleeve.

I’m sure in another couple of years I’ll look back and see how I’ve improved it even more!

So, what else is new?

As I’ve mentioned before, the weight training is helping loads with my core strength and general confidence. One thing I noticed today was when practicing an entry for Ura Nage - I can pick people up more easily now! Got to love those squats, dead lifts and cleans, people.

Competition next Sunday, so as from next week I will have to eat sensibly to ensure I make weight (should be fine… hovering at 90-92 kg). Let’s forget the pizza I had tonight, eh?

One sad thing though: There has been a plea for more entries for the competition. Low numbers so far, which put it at risk of cancellation I have already spread the word on it (posse of three of us coming from one club!)

The weight training is still going well, and I am succeeding at sticking to my three times a week routine. I’m being mostly sensible and waiting until the form is right before increasing the weight at any point.

One problem I have noticed recently is in the Bench press. I am getting pain in my right wrist, almost feeling as if it is bending the wrong way. This is to the degree where it feels like the wrist is the weakest link.

I’ve found a great post and I’ll be following the advice:

http://munfitnessblog.com/how-to-prevent-wrist-pain-from-your-weight-training/

My instincts tell me that the problem I am having is this one:

Not to roll your wrist backward when you do bench press. Once the wrist is rolled backward, the weight will hurt it. The wrist has to be aligned with the forearm.

It’s strange. After my last grading (where I went from 5th to 3rd Kyu) I decided I should really wait around a year before trying again. I’ve promoted pretty fast in my view, and as that is mostly contest oriented, it would be a good idea for my “general” Judo skills to also come up to the right level.

But it’s always the same. I get anxious after six months or so, and start to go against my original intentions.

Some of those I train with have had great successes recently. Two new Dan grades (one by line-up, always awesome). A new brown belt. A new fellow blue belt. Some new-to-Judo players starting to climb the ranks. And various others heading along to gradings to demonstrate their skills within the week.

My own Judo has developed, although in a way it has changed (Becoming left-handed is a huge shift). I have a new favourite technique or two, but still enjoy the old ones.

So… I don’t know. I really don’t. One advantage of staying Blue involves the Blue Belt And Under competitions, which are fun.

Short-term, I have a competition coming up, and the Referee Practical examination. Should I follow those up with a grading?

Another factor has now come into play: The BJA are changing the grading structure. The current rumour would indicate this would include Senior Kyu grades, making anything up to 2nd Kyu theory only. It would be nice to get up there before this so I don’t need to worry about the new system.

Worry is perhaps too strong a word: I’m not afraid of the theory, but I would like the option of the competing element, and it would seem it may not be available once the changes come in.

Time will tell…

Now that I am a high enough grade to qualify for an Area Referee (3rd Kyu), I went along to Bexhill Judo Club where they were hosting an introductory refereeing course.

It was an excellent day (We’ll forget the nightmare of parts of the A27 being closed!). It was a perfect mix of theory, demonstration and practical (Everyone got to try their refereeing skills at the end, and indulge in “fake” contests to give the referees something to work with).

It was nice to have new concepts explained (the new Contest and Safety area system on the mat, for example). And I recognised most of the teaching referees present from previous gradings and competitions!

I’m happy in that I came out of it with a 95% pass in the Theory paper. I just need to do the Practical examination now, and if that goes well, I will qualify! That should be within the month.

The Practical exam is actual refereeing at a Senior event (although obviously under heavy supervision). And it is a full day as part of the team (You don’t know which matches you will be assessed on).

A good session tonight. More things are starting to click, and Randori feels like a natural flow.

I am getting more comfortable at not just playing left-handed, but also adjusting my grip to suit the throw, Uke and so on. In other words, adapting! The Grip Like A World Champion DVD has given me a few ideas, as has watching countless Judo match videos on the likes of YouTube. Essentially, I am starting to feel loose yet in control.

In particular, my Osoto Gari is feeling nice (long legs!). For other throws, I am working on gripping higher up the sleeve. This forces me to be closer to Uke, making throws such as Hiza Guruma easier. Having long limbs is great, but trying to force throws at a distance is not always a good thing.

A key point is that I am feeling more when the appropriate time for a throw is, as opposed to just trying a throw regardless and seeing what happens.

I have been working on a lapel-side Seoi Nage for a while (from a left-handed grip, performing the right-handed throw). It feels very nice. I have always enjoyed working on shoulder throws in technique work, but never felt comfortable with trying to slot them into Randori because of my height. This is a weak excuse. Recently, I have managed to execute this throw successfully in Randori — this helps my confidence a lot and makes me realise how far I have come! It’s particularly effective if a taller Uke goes for a high collar grip.

Another new throw, after watching Winston Gordon use it with some success, is Ko Soto Gake. As it is kind of a “hug” throw, it is good at forcing me to adopt close body contact. Remember that failing to get this contact has long been a personal bugbear of mine.

In my previous post I talked about working on the “baseball choke”. I had been rotating incorrectly so it would not work. I had a chance to work on this earlier in the week (including an entry working against the turtle). Anyway, in Newaza Randori tonight I managed to get it to work a couple of times when pulling guard… remembering to swivel my whole body around really makes it come on fast and hard!

It is a bit of a “sucker” technique as it relies on Uke falling for the “trick”. Something to break out every so often. I’m not sure if I would be confident enough to try it in a competition or grading yet though!