Question about Judo?

Question

I've been watching the Judo Olympics recently and found it very interesting(please note I know very little about judo, having 20 years Martial arts experience but mainly in striking arts)

But I've noticed a pattern emerge.

It seems if you don't try any takedowns you get a warning point against you quite quickly and then another and another etc until you're disqualified.

When this is the case all the opponent has to do is repeat 'half arsed' attempts at a 'tomanagi' (not sure about the spelling) which involves throwing yourself on your back (I know what they are trying to do but that seldom happens) and the ref restarts the fight. Keep doing this until the time runs out and you've won.

Am I wrong?

Of course some competitors go for more variation this is just a general observation.

Do you get a warning for repeated 'half arsed' attacks where you are clearly running the clock down? If this is the case I haven't yet wittnessed it, or understood it.

Answer 1

since i knew judo m**o would have the right answer, just curious...

When is judo on next in the olympics?!?!?!?!?!?! i cant find it yet and ive been recording a ton on dvr!!! maybe my ball and chain is deleting it to quell the combative spirit in me:)

Answer 2

Generally it is understood when you first partake in Judo that the object of a Shiai (tournament) is to 'throw' for ippon (full point).  You are supposed to 'throw' (not take down) your opponent with a clean hard throw, and enter matwork only as a last resort.

Unfortunately as Judo entered international competition, it was so hard if not impossible to beat the Japanese at their own game, that the Europeans (and Americans) turned to 'gamesmanship' to win, that is winning by less than a full point.  Europeans, and especially the former USSR, began to incorporate 'non-Judo technique' into competition, such as wrestling or Sambo moves, and argue for the victory.

Thus the 'sportification' of Judo (a martial art) began and reached a climax in 1996 with the introduction of a blue gi; 4 minute matches (instead of 12); removal of chuko (almost a half-point); and the introduction of the 'Golden Score' (sudden death overtime) all for the benefit of ticket buying ($$$$) spectators.  Judo was suddenly transformed into a spectator sport for the entertainment of screaching fans and you musn't bore the fans with long matches and indecipherable rules.  

Answer 3

Yes, you get a pentalty for stalling... (i.e. just having a defensive posture, not attacking). It goes in order and negates positive points, and can lead ultimately to DQ.

You also get deducted points for false attacks, (i.e. diving to the mat, or falling backwards in an attempt to look like you are doing something) just the same way. Some people are very good with doing false half arsed attacks and not getting called for it. Some people not so much so.

But there is part of the strategy with some guys, to once they get ahead on points, instead of risking getting Ipponed (thrown for a full point) by exposing themselves to multiple attacks, they start to go for safe attacks, or even take a penalty or two in defensive posture to run the clock out.

Thing of it like a football game, you get up by a couple scores, instead of throwing long passes for the endzone, you start running the ball, doing conservative plays to run the clock out.

It is part of the strategy of Olympic Judo, once you get ahead, instead of risking yourself with big throws (setting yourself up to be countered), you conserve your energy, you play it safe until the time runs out.

(Normally this is two really good people against each other, they will play what is called "koka Judo" or just playing to get a few points in the lead, shut it down and be conservative until time runs out.)

It is kind of part of the chess match and overall strategy of Olympic Judo sometimes, when a match can be lost on a single mistake. Sucks to be ahead by a Wazari, two kokas, yuko and then you go for something big, and get countered, and lpponed and have lost, despite having dominated your opponent for the majority of the match.

So people try to minimize that risk, with fairly safe half arsed attempts, then they get up slow on restarts... all to eat up the clock.