WELCOME TO THE AKI NO KURE JUDO CLUB

Aki No Kure Judo is the primary judo club in northern Vermont. It is an amalgam of the GREEN MOUNTAIN JUDO CLUB OF VERMONT (GMJ), the original Aki No Kure Judo Club, and the now disbanded UVM Judo Club.

Judo has its origins in the feudal Japanese martial art of Jujitsu. The Modern form of Judo called Kodokan Judo has been made popular in over one hundred countries around the world through international sporting events. Since 1964 at the Tokyo, Japan Games, Judo became the first martial art oriented sport to be included as an Olympic event in modern times. Judo is a contact sport. A wrestling activity where participants wear a long sleeved jacket and ankle length pants. Judo is governed by its own unique rules of conduct which are quite unlike those of schoolboy wrestling. Judo begins in an upright posture. Both partners engage by taking hold of the other's loosely fitted uniform, grasping a handful of material in each hand. It is through this gripping of the clothing, ensuring a steady control, that both players seek to disrupt their partner's balance. Scoring is accomplished by overturning your partner with any of the permissible methods and by using the mat grappling techniques. It is this game of push and pull, and learning of these throwing techniques that is the most fascinating aspect of judo. Even a small person can defeat a larger and heavier judo partner, if proper skill is used. Sport judo and the free exercise form of judo does NOT allow punching, kicking, or any other striking techniques. The judo classes that you want to participate in are conducted as a sport not as self-defense classes, although, as with all physical sports the training received can be used for self-defense in certain situations.

Learning judo is a partnership endeavor, meaning that you always practice with another person one-on-one. Learning judo can improve a person's endurance, coordination, timing, reflexes, strength, self-confidence and self-discipline. The learning process is broken down into a series of exercises and patterned routines to develop skill. A great deal of pleasure and fun is gained when working together in this friendly atmosphere which helps to promote good sportsmanship.

The goals of the AKI NO KURE instructors are to teach students the throwing techniques and grappling techniques related to the sport of Judo. Provide guidance essential for safe practice as students achieve their potential. And to prepare those who wish to compete in local, regional, and national tournaments.

All school aged students and adults are welcomed to participate in judo. Judo players come in all sizes, weights, and heights. There is no one body type that best suits judo. Players in a tournament event are divided into groups by age, weight, and skill level. Women and girls play in their own divisions separate from men and boys. The tournament season follows the school year beginning in September. There are typically ten to twelve regional events each year that our clubs travel to. These present the opportunities to learn and compete with other judo players from across the area New England states.

No special equipment is required of beginning students. Lessons and tournaments are always held on a protected, matted floor surface covered with gymnastic style floor mats. Judo is a barefoot activity, so there is no need for any footwear. It is recommended to wear a long sleeved sweatshirt and long ankle length, loosely fitted baggy pants that can be worn without any belt. A draw string style garment is preferred so it may fit snugly around the hips. No metal objects are permitted to be worn. This means no leather belts with buckles, bracelet's, rings, earrings, necklaces, or any other type of jewelry. All of these objects can cause minor scrapes and cuts. It is a matter of safety for everyone's benefit that we take them off before practice.

If a student finds they are interested in judo after a few weeks, it is recommended they purchase a uniform (called a judo-gi) . The practice of judo is safer for the participant wearing a judo gi because it makes it easier for his/her partners to control their throws. Judo gis are required for participation in judo tournaments. You may purchase a gi through our club. Depending upon the size, the price ranges between $45 to $75. A judo gi properly cleaned and maintained can last for several years depending on the use. Typically youngsters outgrow them before they become too badly worn. If you buy a gi somewhere else, be sure that it is NOT a Karate uniform (karate gis are not made for throwing and can rip easier increasing chances of injury), or a JuJitsu uniform, which is tailored and does not have enough material to effectively grasp.

Learning judo is a progressive study from the basics and fundamentals to the more complex techniques. Children and teenagers progress through a series of belt colors to signify their rank. From the lowest to the highest the ranks are white, yellow, orange, green, blue, and purple belts. For senior students and adults the order is: white, yellow, orange, and green, brown, black. There are three grades of brown and ten grades of black belt. When a player achieves a rank of 6th degree black belt, a red and white belt is awarded as a ceremonial belt. A 9th degree black belt is awarded a solid red belt.

Promotion depends on the time spent in the previous grade, performance, proper attitudes, etiquette, and awareness for safety. Students earn a promotion by formal demonstration of their judo skills during special classes for review and examination and in tournaments. While it is not mandatory for students to participate in tournaments, those students who do so will advance more quickly. It is not necessary for junior players to win in order to be promoted in the lower ranks. Progress through demonstrations of their required judo techniques and knowledge of judo are the criteria that we will look at. Of course, winning by using good judo will earn promotions more quickly as well.

You will be asked to sign a waiver in order to participate. The form can be downloaded Here

Our club is run by volunteers. However, in order to pay the Aikido Vermont for the use of their space, We have had to revise our dues schedule as follows:

Individual Membership $45
Family Membership $60
Mat Fee $10
Family Mat Fee $15

Please note that a parent should be present if your child is under twelve years of age.

There will be a new emphasis collecting dues. Monthly dues should be paid in the prior month. Mat fees shall be collected before the start of class.

There is also an annual membership fee to belong to the USJA (United Staes Judo Association) , currently $60 per year. Along with your membership to the national organization, this fee includes insurance coverage so that local clubs in each state can attend local, state, or regional tournaments in their area. In order to compete in judo athletic events, you must then be a member.

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