Judo Nagewaza (Throwing Technique) In The Street

How practical are throwing techniques (nagewaza) for self-defense or street-fighting? NOT VERY!

The Japanese themselves have a saying, "One year for newaza (ground technique), TEN YEARS for nagewaza (Throwing technique)". It takes ten times as long to become proficient at throwing than it does at ground fighting.

Trying to throw a fully resisting, fighting adversary and pulling off a "clean" throw is VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.

People will INSTINCTIVELY grab, seize, claw and otherwise do all sorts of "spoiling" maneuvers when one attempts to execute a "throw".

In all of the fights I have seen, I can recall ONLY three instances where one guy was able to pull off a clean solid throw. And this person was practicing Judo on an almost DAILY basis.

I've seen throws used in other situations but quite honestly they got the person into MORE TROUBLE than it was worth.

I will cite three classic examples of what it takes to become "skilled" enough to even attempt Nagewaza in a real street fight.

1. Masahiko 'Judo" Kimura TRAINED upwards of NINE hours a DAY!He did thousands of repetitions of Uchikomi (fitting in) to develop just a COUPLE of reliable Nagewaza (Seoi Nage (Should throw) & O Soto Gari (Big leg reap)). Reading Kimura's biography you will note that in his street fights and "vale tudo" matches as well, when he faced skilled boxers his reliance on Nage was still an "iffy" proposition.

Make no mistake..

KIMURA WAS AN ANIMAL!

2. Famed Judo legend Yamashita (explained at his recent seminar that it took THOUSANDS of repetitions of uchikomi AND the brutal three man drills to BEGIN to develop the skill to effectively employ throwing techniques.

3. And last but certainly not least is Yonezuka who ADVOCATES the use of ASHIBARAI (foot sweep) without GRABBING as the BEST overall and SAFEST (for you) method of slamming someone on their ass.

The other thing that pisses me off is the idea that JUJUTSU throws are somehow BETTER than JUDO throws for real combat. BULLSHIT. The only REAL difference between Judo and Jujutsu nagewaza is generally the manner of seizing the opponent. HOWEVER, a judoka can do this just as EASILY. But moreover, JUDO nage are PROVEN to be effective in REAL ADVERSARIAL COMPETITIONS. Sure you can talk about the old Jujutsu styles employing joint locks and strangleholds in conjunction with throwing BUT again, JUDO methods have been evolving in a far MORE real arena.

I have NEVER seen a Jujutsuka "pull off" any NAGEWAZA against even neophyte JUDOKAS or WRESTLERS! EVER.

And in a REAL street fight some of the NONSENSE that these people banter on about concerning the "COMBAT" application of these throws will get you F%^&&G KILLED!

The nonsense they preach on about SOUNDS "cool" but will FAIL in the REAL unscripted world.

Almost ANY attempt at REALLY slamming someone will invariably find BOTH of you on the ground. Hopefully, but CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS, with you on top, then the fight goes ON. Against more than ONE opponent you HAVE BIG PROBLEMS!

Also consider the TACTICAL problems with KNOWINGLY turning your BACK into an ENEMY! And ANY one-legged type throw, i.e., Hane-goshi (Hip spring throw)/Harai-goshi (Loin throw)/O guruma (Big Outer Wheel) /Uchimata (Inner Thigh Throw) will INSURE that you BOTH hit the DECK.

The BEST methods I have seen and practiced for actually USING throwing techniques in self-protection came from Bruce Tegner. His concept of seizing the upper arms or shoulders with both hands and then GOING TO WORK on the opponents legs with a BARRAGE of LOW HARD KICKS and THEN executing a throw is the ONLY approach that seems to have validity and is viable. AND that approach is what REAL kuzushi is all about.

Another topic loaded with BULLSHIT. KUZUSHI is NOT a subtle maneuvering to "break balance" in THE REAL WORLD nor is it evident in almost ANY real Randori or Shiai. MORE esoteric fantasy crap. If I want to "break your balance" I'll do it by KNOCKING THE S$%T out of you!

Lastly, DON'T believe the BULLSHIT about Judo throws "being SAFE" for the opponent. HORSES#$T! With SUFFICIENT practice you can "land" a guy on his HEAD, NECK or shoulder.

What makes Judo throws SEEM safe is the practice of UKEMI, the use of TATAMI and the LACK of intent in F!@#$%G up your training partner.

Check out Koizumi's book on throws. He explains very well how a Dojo "safe" throw can be executed on the STREET with devastating results by a simple change in the direction of the "pull" done by the hands and wrists.

Instead of "heaving" your man over and directing him INTO a breakfall, you JUST pull STRAIGHT down and DRIVE him head first into the ground.

The DOERS KNOW the difference between real and chickenshit. The pontificators present ONLY a "shell" that has NO REAL SUBSTANCE, just "warrior fantasy appeal".

They are blinded by their own BULLS@#T.

PS: CJ1 "Throws Grips and Dirty Tricks" cover the set up, throwing techniques and drills - http://www.combatjujutsusecrets.com

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl's ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson
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