Frequently Asked Questions We hope you find the answer to your question below, if not contact us here. Or read about Judo here

When do you meet? Wednesday evenings Primary 4 and 5 at 6:15-7pm Primary 6+7 at 7-8pm Secondary pupils and Adults 8-9pm There are no lessons in the school holidays. Where do you meet? At the Gytes Sports Centre on Walkershaugh in Peebles. Are the club's coaches properly qualified. Yes - The requirements for being a Judo coach are very stringent and include child protection training, Disclosure Scotland checks, first aid- not to mention the actual Judo Coaching itself. Our British Judo Association affiliated National body Judo Scotland has recently moved over to a National Coaching Qualification scheme called UKCC. Our qualifications are currently as follows: Colin- BJA/Judo Scotland Qualified Club coach- transferring to the UKCC scheme. John- BJA/Judo Scotland Qualified Club coach Mark- Level 2- UKCC Club Coach David Anderson - Level 2 -UKCC Club Coach Graeme- Level 2 - UKCC Club Coach Andrew- Level 1- UKCC Assistant Club Coach (in progress during 2012) We currently have gifted coaches like Colin and John with many years of experience and also some newly qualified coaches like Mark and Graeme. In addition we have parent helpers who are experienced Judo players themselves and provide an extra set of eyes and ears on the mat. Our coaches are part of a CPD program and must attend coaching re-validation training events at Scottish Judo HQ per year in order to stay licensed as coaches and keep current with coaching methodology. The coaches have liability insurance through the BJA and take their responsibility on the mat very seriously. The minimum coaching presence for the class to go ahead is one qualified Club Coach Coach and one assistant. We however normally far exceed this and usually have several qualified coaches out on the mat plus parent helpers. We maintain an excellent coach to student ratio. When can I start Judo lessons? If you are a beginner then you must start judo lessons at the start of the school term, this allows the coaching team to teach a group of beginners in an orgainised and coherent way. Please use the contact page on this site and contact the senior coach to put your name down for the next intake. When you start Mums and Dads are welcome to watch. If you are an existing or returning judo player e.g that has recently moved into the area then we can be more flexible about when you can start, please contact the senior club coach using our contact page. Can my family watch my Judo lessons? Yes Mums and Dads etc are welcome to watch and in addition we also have parents nights where students can demonstrate their new skills from time to time. On club nights we normally have a few seats out at mat side or if you prefer you can watch from the foyer or balcony areas. Some parents use the gym while their kids are doing Judo. Remember it is not acceptable for parents to leave any children who are not actually doing Judo at the club, we have enough to do teaching Judo without providing a free babysitting service as well. For safety reasons we like like to keep the atmosphere in the Judo Dojo fairly quiet and ordered when teaching so that the student can hear the instructions and see properly. Anything visitors can do to respect this is appreciated, for example some parents bring colouring books to occupy younger siblings. It's great to have interested parents watching the Judo but please don't come onto the mat to assist your children. Also try not to to speak to your children during the class if possible as this distracts them and interrupts the flow of the class. In the unlikely event you see anything that concerns you and needs immediate attention then call over to one of the coaches nearby. Note that Judo etiquette applies to visitors to the Judo dojo aswell as players therefore parents should be care ful not to walk onto the mats wearing shoes. All parents are very welcome to try out a Judo class, if you want to take up this offer then speak to one of the coaches, but beware Judo is very addictive! What happens if I start Judo then don't like it? It happens, your first night at Judo is free and most people can decide after this taster if its 'for them' or not. Its helpful if you can tell the coaches what you hope to get from Judo. Note: We can lend you judo clothes for a few weeks so there is no need to buy any kit initially. Because of the nature of Judo its essential that everybody listens to the instructions given by the coaches for safety reasons. There are loads of people who start Judo and are a little unsure at first but after a few weeks they soon get over this and develop confidence as a result. Why must I start lessons at the start of a term? The coaches prefer to teach a group of beginners in one class rather than have people at different stages of learning. This allows for a more structured approach to learning judo. How many members do you have? About 100 ranging from 8 years to 67 years. What are the coaches like? The senior club coaches have many years of experience of teaching Judo. The coaches and parent helpers have their own children in classes and aim to make the class as fun as possible bearing in mind that a certain amount of discipline is needed to keep the children safe while learning Judo. What about first aid? On club nights: Most of the judo leaders are qualified first aiders, and in addition the Sport Centre Staff are qualified first aiders. Thankfully serious injuries are virtually unheard of at club nights but we have our own first aid kit and there is access to the sports centre first aid kits if required. Note we wont use any creams or sprays and will ask about allergies to plasters. If an incident happens the coaches are trained to manage it appropriately and in particular note that we have parents contact information with us at every club meeting and will try to contact parents immediately if required. We record injuries on the proper record sheets. At Events and gradings outwith our usual venue: Well trained and qualified St John's Ambulance or Red Cross staff are normally present and in addition most Judo coaches are qualified first aiders too and could help if required. Again if our coaches are present they will do their best to contact parents, however parents are normally present themselves at competitions. If you have any safety concerns about club nights then please speak to the senior coach or the Child Welfare Officer. If you have concerns about First Aid at events then please take this up with the organisers of the event. What is the class size and the Coach/Child Ratio? The BJA stipulates a minimum of 1 coach to 20 students. Our junior classes average 25 students and we normally have two qualified coaches plus a parent helper or trainee coach who are experienced judo players themselves. Beginners are taught in a much smaller group, normally of about 1 coach to 4 students. The club currently has access to five qualified club coaches coaches who are assited by assistant club coaches, helpers and trainees. Guest coaches are occasioanlly provided by FOcus Judo in Galashiels if required. The absolute minimum coaching staff we would allow for a judo class to proceed is one senior coach and one assistant coach or adult helper. We normally far exceed this. What about injuries? Jigoro Kano designed Judo to minimise the risk or injury and if done properly injuries are rare, note however that Judo is a very physical contact sport, and therefore injury is always a possibility. If you do Judo long enough you will probably pick up an injury at some point. Awareness of this should focus your attention onto staying safe on the mat by learning the techniques well and listening carefully to the coaches instructions. Note - Judo coaches are trained to ensure that the techniques taught are safe and appropriate to the skill level of the judo student and the coaches will lead, observe and supervise activities to prevent injury. Importantly; beginners are taught how to fall properly and break falls are practiced very often in our club. Please bear in mind however that judo is a combat sport and a certain amount of physicality is a necessary part of this. The odd bump and bruise is to be expected but this helps create hardy, resilient people. For safety all players are encouraged to pay close attention to the demo and the explanation of the techniques so they can take part in a safe manner. The breakfall is an essential safety feature of Judo, which reduces the effect of a fall, therefore we practice rolling and falling regularly with the aim of the breakfall becoming instinctive for all players. Note that if students consistently act in an unsafe manner they will be excluded from Judo for the safety of themselves and others. From time to time minor injuries have occurred when the judo coaches are busy on the mat teaching a class and children from the next class have tripped over shoes etc and hurt themselves on the wooden floor or brick wall mainly while 'mucking about' prior to their class starting. This is actively discouraged by the coaching staff and we will do what we can to prevent this but in an effort to help us minimise this issue please can parents: 1. Not drop kids off too early before their lesson and ideally supervise them until the lesson starts. 2. Have children pack their belongings into a holdall or ideally leave them in the changing room or lockers rather than spreading their shoes, coats and water bottles etc across the floor. If you have any safety concerns please come and speak to one of the coaches. What about child protection? We are working towards a full implementation of the BJA-Judo Scotland child protection policy and follow their guidelines, a copy is available for download on our Child Protection webpage. The coaches all have disclosure certificates and most have attended child protection training. Child Protection is a standing agenda item for our AGM and the Child protection Officer reports on progress and raises any issue needing addressed. As part of the implementation of the BJA Child Protection Policy we have appointed a Club Welfare Officer to aid with implementing the BJA Child Protection policy. In addition members of the coaching team have attended a Safeguarding & Protecting Children course at Judo Scotland HQ. More info is available on the child protection webpage on this site. In practice we aim to keep it simple therefore: The lessons are all 'on the mat' in plain view . No leader is alone with children. Parents are very welcome to watch the lessons. Note that it is the parents responsibility to supervise changing, loo visits etc, the coaches wont do this. Most leaders have their own children at lessons or are parents themselves so can fully appreciate the issues. If you have any concerns or need clarification on any issue please speak to the Club Welfare Officer or one of the coaches or email us via our contact web page. Why is my membership void after four weeks of non attendance? The coaches are trying to lead the club though a structured program of lessons with the aim of improving and developing your Judo. Non attendance with no prior warning both disrupts this process and results in you missing out on teaching which will then need to be repeated if you are to progress. Please make an effort to keep the coaches informed of absences. If you have a long term illness or an extended holiday coming up then please let us know. The club is currently at full capacity with a waiting list to join, regular non attendance 'blocks' a membership place for others. I'm thinking of taking up Judo what should I do? Stop thinking about it and do it! Have a good look at the pages of this website and in particular the membership page. The intake for new beginners is at the start of each school term in order to form a 'class' of beginners and take them through the basics as a group with a high coach to student ratio. This provides the best learning environment for beginners. If you are apprehensive about starting then be assured that ours is a friendly family club where you will be made welcome. If you want to find out more about judo try our Judo links page where you can learn more about Judo. How fit do you need to be to do Judo? To start to learn judo as a beginner you just need to be of average fitness for your age. You will soon get fitter as your judo career develops. If you have any health issues which may be a concern or are not in good health generally then please discuss starting judo with your doctor before trying Judo. In general Judo will improve your fitness level, balance and flexibility. When starting Judo only do what is comfortable. Is Judo an expensive sport to take up? Not at all, all you need is a Judo uniform which aren't expensive, on top of that you have club fees which are payable by school term and a Judo Scotland Membership of £19 per year which allows you to enter gradings and gives you insurance cover. The total cost is less than £2.50 per week which is very reasonable compared to other sports. What to expect at your first Judo lesson? Assuming you have been in contact with the senior club coach and have agreed a start date, this is what to expect on your first night.... Try and arrive a little early as we will need to find some judo clothes to fit you. Wear jogging bottoms and a tee shirt. Make sure hand and toe nails are short, and you're not wearing anything metal-like jewelery, metal hair clasps or a watch. At the start of the lesson the class kneels facing the teacher (Sensei) and he takes the register and passes on any important information. Then the senior judo student (judoka) says the Japanese phrase "Judoka Sensei Rei" which means roughly: We Judo players respect the teacher - (Mutual respect is an important part of Judo). Then the teachers and class bow to each other. Then one of the coaches leads the class in a warm up and stretching, the warm up is very important in preventing injury so get into the habit of doing it properly. Then the class is split up into groups or pairs to learn Judo techniques. You will probably be put in a small class of other beginners of a similar age and size with a coach to lead you. If this is your first night you will probably learn how to fall and roll without hurting yourself and maybe a simple hold down or throw. Judo does involve close physical contact with other judo students which might feel a bit strange at first but you soon get used to it. At the end we kneel in belt order and bow to each other again. After a few weeks learning the basics and when you are ready you will join in with the main class and learn and practice more Judo techniques. We hope you enjoy your first night at Judo and that it's the first of many. Does it hurt to get thrown? The Judo 'breakfall' is essential to reduce or cancel out the effect of any fall. At PJC we regularly practice breakfalling and the coaches emphasise the safety aspects of each technique. If you get thrown and forget to breakfall then it can hurt, or you may be injured therefore we practice falling most if not every week so that breakfalls become instinctive. Judokas normally work in pairs taking turns at throwing or being thrown so that both side of a technique can be practiced equally. Once you have learned to fall safely and being thrown no longer scares you then you can relax and concentrate on your Judo to much better effect. In Judo the 'thrower' is taught to take care of their partner by protecting their head and neck. In Judo you must both throw and be thrown in order to learn both sides of the technique. If the techniques are done as instructed then injury is very uncommon. If 'big' throws are being learned we use a crash mat to cushion your landing or perform it more slowly initially. Judokas who ignore others safety will be excluded. Its important to thow your partner in the manner you would like to be thrown yourself, i.e under control and safely. Note however that Judo is a physical combat sport and the occasional bump is to be expected. Do Girls do Judo? Yes they certainly do, we have a number of girls at all levels of the club and some of our best players are girls. For doing Judo the only practical difference from boys is that all girls should wear a tee shirt under their Judo Kit (a long one tucked into the trousers is best). Long hair should be tied back in a plait or pony tail with something soft. Nothing hard or metallic should be worn, this includes, hard plastic hair bobbles, jewelery, ear rings or watches. Girls and boys of equal age and size practice together in classes but at a competition girls will not be expected to face boys. Judo is both a fun work out for all and a great way of making friends, boosting confidence and fitness. What is the ethos or etiquette of Judo? Sportsmanship, politeness, good manners, common decency are all part of Judo. All students of Judo are expected to train themselves in Judo Etiquette and make it part of their Judo. In doing so a student will eventually understand the principle and spirit of Judo. The following should be observed: 1. Respect your Sensei (Teacher) 2. Respect higher grades 3. Be quiet in the Dojo (Judo Hall)- before, during and after your lesson. 4. Do not indulge in “horseplay” in the Dojo- especially running about and being noisy while another class is on the mat. 5. Keep your body clean 6. Keep your finger and toe-nails short 7. Frequently wash your Judogi (Judo Suit) 8. Be considerate to lower grades 9. Never use Judo techniques outside of the Dojo 10. Be courteous to your opponent at all times 11. On entering a Dojo one should always bow (Rei means bow) 12. When stepping onto or off a Tatami, one should bow (Tatami means Mat) 13. Before and after a practice one should bow to their partner What are the club's 'ground rules' At Peebles Judo Club we believe that observing proper Judo etiquette and discipline allows for the best and safest teaching environment for learning Judo. The lessons are planned to be both fun and safe. To enhance the safety aspect we have 10 'ground rules' which are there to make judo a more enjoyable experience. Breaking these rules may mean you will have to miss part of the class, repeated breaking of the rules will lead to permanent expulsion from the class. 1. Observe proper Judo etiquette. 2. Don't ever walk across the mats in shoes, we don't like mud or dog poo on the mats! (this applies to parents too). 3. No food or drinks are allowed on the mats. 4. Pay special attention to the coach- much of what is taught is for your own safety. 5. Be properly dressed with Judogi and sandals for off the mat, wear nothing hard or metal. 6. No fooling about: before, during or after your lesson. 7. No swearing, name calling, hitting, shoving or tripping etc. Bullies will NOT be tolerated. 8. Its YOUR responsibility to be on time for YOUR lesson and with YOUR kit. 9. Always ask permission to leave the mat (The time to have a pee or a drink is BEFORE your class starts). 10. Keep everything neatly in a bag and don't leave shoes, coats and water bottles lying about for people to trip over. Is Judo part of a religion or does it promote any religion? No, although Judo originates from the 'East' there is no religion involved or promoted. People of many different faiths enjoy Judo. Judo is an Olympic sport similar to wresting but as it originated from Japan its terminology is in Japanese and it maintains a Japanese ethos based on sportsmanship, politeness, honesty and mutual respect. Because Japanese traditions are retained in Judo there is a bow taken before and after class, this is merely to show mutual respect between teacher and student and not for any religious reason. Many people enjoy the polite Japanese traditions of Judo as a pleasant change from the norm. How to look after Judo Kit A clean dry Judo kit is important, to stop it getting messed up either: change at the sports centre or cover with a tracksuit. After your lesson please neatly fold and return any borrowed kit, or if the kit is your own please pack it away neatly in a bag rather than leaving it lying on the floor. Cleaning... Wash at 30 degrees cotton wash and dry outside or on a radiator. If stained use vanish or similar in the wash. Dont tumble dry unless you deliberately want to shrink it. Don't use a hot wash unless you deliberately want to shrink it. Steam iron if badly crushed. It's hardly ever necessary to wash the belt but if you do need to for some reason then use colour soap powder and don't wash it with the white kit! The proper term for judo 'kit' is Judo Gi (pronounced Gee) Where can I get a Judo uniform? Judo uniforms (Judogi) are available from the club at lower cost than you can get on the internet. If buying one yourself please make sure it meets IJF standards, fits correctly and is White. Note suits for Karate and TQD are not the same and a proper judo suit is required for Judo. See our Judo Kit web page for further information. Note: We prefer if Judo students wear white Judogis and reserve the use of coloured Judogis for coaches and adult helpers to make them more visible to parents and visitors as well as more identifiable to the students themselves. What do the different belt colours mean? The belt colours signify the judo player's skill and experience in Judo. The colours get progressively darker and are in the following order: White Red Yellow Orange Green Blue Brown Black Promotion is based on demonstrating judo skill and theory up to brown belt and on skill, theory and competition wins above brown belt. A set syllabus is followed, examples are available for download from this site in both the junior and senior judo pages, or the grading page. How can I progress through the belt system? Mainly by watching and listening to the Sensei (teacher) and by practicing the techniques shown and explained to you. More important than the colour of you belt is having a solid foundation of good judo, generally speaking its better to do a few techniques really well than lots of techniques poorly. When the Sensei sees that you are ready you will be tested on the techniques you have learned at the next club club grading. The appropriate techniques for your level are practiced regularly in the run up to a grading and at the grading itself you wont be asked to do anything you have not already practiced in your lessons many times. What are the coloured badges worn on the Judo suit for? These are 'Mon' badges, the Judo syllabus is divided in to 18 mons (steps) for junior players and Mon badges are awarded following gradings. There are three mon steps per belt colour. See the Junior judo webpage for further details. Senior Judo players (16+) do not use the mon badge system but progress from belt to belt on the Kyu system, see the senior Judo webpage for futher details. How often are gradings? Club gradings are held twice a year. The fee for this is included in the membership fees. For the higher belts gradings may be held at an event where an examiner will be present to oversee the event. Gradings are technical and there is no competition fighting required below Brown Belt. For adult players and Brown Belts there are National Gradings held throughout the year, these are advertised on Judo Scotland Event calendar and on this website. What is a Judo License When you join the club you must also join Judo Scotland the sport's National Governing Body. The license book is provided by Judo Scotland and is used to record your progress in the sport. Players are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their license. Players should write their name inside and glue in the paper renewal slips received from Judo Scotland. You may have your license for many years so look after it and keep it safe. Remember you need a valid licence to do club Judo and to be covered by insurance. When you enter any Judo grading, competition or event without a valid license you cant take part. There are no exceptions. What about competitions? Peebles is largely a recreational club however there are several Judo competitions throughout the year that players can attend. Players should speak to their coach before entering a competition as some competitions are not for everyone. At Peebles we have a mixture of competitive and recreational players. There are regular inter club borders competitions that are suitable for everyone to attend to try out their judo in a competitive but friendly setting. The more serious competitive players who may attend higher level competitions regularly attend the Borders squad sessions at our sister club Focus Judo in Galashiels. Some may also attend at Focus Judo's monday night club sessions as well as the sessions at Peebles. It takes great courage to step out onto the mat in a competition and this is an important part of any serious Judo players development. Note that no player is ever forced to enter a competition and we recognise that competition isn't for everyone. For children there is no longer a requirement to win points at gradings or competitions to progress through the belt system up to brown belt. Although it is now in theory possible to get to black belt without any competitive fighting at all this would be missing out on the Judo development opportunities that competitive Judo provides.