Learn Fearlessly - Outgrip Anybody

Extensive grip fighting is being more and more eliminated from judo shiai. This is a good thing. The taking of a favorite grip is nothing new, and has likely been around since the first days of randori. However, the ripping away of the opponent’s hands, the patty-cake and finger locking gripping, and the holding back or guarding the lapel have all caused judo contests to look absurd and provide for less true judo taking place. I’ve personally believed that if grip fighting is as valuable an activity as many claim, perhaps a new sport called “Gripping” should be created. Since the battle for grips still exists, I’m required to come up with an alternative for you, not just complain about it. Let’s take a thought from a judoka who likely knew more about judo than most of us, Shozo Nakano.

 Shozo Nakano is not well known to most judoka. His idea about his opponents’ grips is more judo-like than the current grip-fighting position. Nakano was born in January 1888. He was promoted to 10th Degree Black Belt after his death on December 22, 1977. He became a master instructor at Tokyo Ikashika University (Medical School). He energetically promoted Kodokan Judo to the world. His uchi mata throw was very famous.

He said "My strategy is to let my opponent get his favorite satisfactory grip, and then I find my own way of chance to throw my opponent." 

Nakano's advice has been mine, too. I recommend you have an attack you can do from any grip you take, and especially as a response to any grip that is put on you. Part of the definition of yielding, I believe, is to adapt to circumstances. This attack can be several ways to do one throw, or a throw for each challenge.

If you know a judoka has a favorite throw from a favorite grip, analyze it and learn to respond and adapt it to your advantage. Most judoka have a favorite throw that they do from a very specific grip. That is why they fight to get it. Imagine their surprise when they discover, mid-air, that you really liked their grip, too. 

This is a very good idea for your randori practice. Ask your partners to take grips you won't like, or are having trouble dealing with. At first, you might defend against uncomfortable grips using strength and pushing resistance—like a white belt. You might even get thrown more than usual. Disregard that and seek out the Nakano option. Learn both defense with leverages and positioning your body, and opportunities for your favorite throws, or discover the opportunity to add a new technique to your repertoire. Adopt the attitude, “Your favorite grip becomes my favorite situation.” This is yielding. Now, you are doing judo. 

This can also create a psychological advantage. The opponent is not only deprived of the favorite grip's effectiveness, but also feels your lack of fear, moreover, possibly even a sense of your having taken control.

Unless your opponent has several arms and hands, or a prehensile tail, you should be able to come up with solutions for the truly limited number of grips that exist.

Judo in Life

The life lessons are clear, as well. I am not recommending that you purposely put yourself in physical or psychological danger. Learning to respond to adverse and seemingly overpowering situations in randori can give you a similar mindset adapting to obstacles off of the tatami.

In so far as interpersonal relationships are concerned, you will find plenty of opportunities to apply this theory. If you do it in judo practice, you will perhaps find it easier to do in life. In judo, this is what randori is for. Those who practice useful randori are few. If you try Nakano’s idea always, you will be among the few, and your judo will improve considerably. Nakano became 10th dan. Copy him.

More info on Nakano—http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/legend/nakano/  This is a quick and very impressive Kodokan Hall of Fame page.