Some Basic Judo Terminology

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DOJO – The place where one practises

JUDO KA – One who practises Judo

JUDO GI – The judo suit one wears to practise Judo – pants and jacket

OBI – the judo belt

TATAMI – The mats on which one practises Judo

REI – The traditional bow of respect to others or on entering the dojo or the tatami    

UCHIKOMI – The repetition of any technique in order to perfect it

TORI – The person applying a technique

UKE – The person receiving the technique

WAZA – A knowledge/skill in  some aspect of Judo

UKEMI WAZA – The skill in being able to fall safely

TACHI WAZA – The skill of throwing techniques

OSAEKOMI WAZA – The skill of immobilising an opponent on the ground

KANSETSU WAZA – The skill of locking joints (although only the elbow is permitted)

SHIME WAZA – The skill of strangling or choking

RANDORI – Free practice – either standing or in groundwork

SHIAI -Contest  – as in competition

HAJIME! – Begin!

MATTE! -Stop!

MAITTA! -“I give up” or “I am beaten”

SENSEI – One’s coach or instructor (literally, ‘ one who has gone before’)

KYU GRADE – The grades leading up to brown belt (the last of which is 1st Kyu)

DAN GRADE -The grades from black belt upwards (the first of which is Shodan)

KATA – The formal demonstration of various aspects of Judo by 2 judoka in the roles of Tori and Uke. There are 7 katas of Judo.