Ukiwaza- Judo Throw - an Unusual Lesson

 So I was watching a video about 26 different Judo throws.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTP4K2_lynA 

 

One of them looked familiar, the Ukiwaza throw, so I started doing some research to remember why I thought I knew it. So found thus YouTube video on Ukiwaza.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7rXDB6S-LI 

 

That was enough to go to Wikipedia and see Uki Waza (浮技? ), is one of the original 40 throws of Judo as developed by Jigoro Kano. It belongs to the fifth group, Gokyo, of the traditional throwing list, Gokyo (no waza), of Kodokan Judo. 

It is also part of the 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo. It is classified as a side sacrifice technique, Yoko-sutemi. “” Then I remembered where I heard of this from. And it also brought an interesting revelation. 

First the story. Back in 1976 through 1984 I was living and working in Scranton Pa. I also ran a youth karate program at the area Boys Club. Then again I was training almost everywhere every spare moment I had. Five doors down the street where I lived their was a Judo player, Fred Murty, who was ranked in National competition. While I had visited the school where he trained once, I simply did not have time for more studies. On the whole I know very little about the study of Judo. Just things I have picked up around the fringes. 

But Fred Murty and I knew each other existed. I used to train at times at the YMCA where my wife worked. One day I was training there and Fred approached me and invited me to attend a clinic for Fred’s students with his instructor from New Jersey. 

So the following Sunday I attended and watched the clinic. The instructor eventually showed the throw he was going to show for the day. Using Fred, he grabbed his judo jacket and pulled down to the right. Then he fell toward his left shoulder with a sacrifice throw and threw Fred over his shoulder, Fred then fell and rolled about 20 feet. It certainly impressed me. He then explained that he had been studying for 20 years before his Japanese Judo instructor showed him this movement. 

He said that there was no special reason for the 20 years, just that is how it was done. Afterward he proceeded to show it to everyone there, White, Green, Brown and Black Belts. [ I have experienced similar practices from some of my friends who did the same to me, and had their instructor do the same to them.] [[I also heard the same thing occurred in various arts.]] 

I did enjoy the clinic.