{"id":700,"date":"2019-07-06T15:16:56","date_gmt":"2019-07-06T20:16:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/?p=700"},"modified":"2023-02-25T11:45:21","modified_gmt":"2023-02-25T17:45:21","slug":"judo-for-bjj-takedowns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/judo-for-bjj-takedowns\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Modify Judo for BJJ Takedowns [Interview With Olympian Matt D’Aquino]"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article is to discuss how to modify Judo for BJJ takedowns.<\/p>\n

Why?<\/p>\n

Because every Brazilian Jiu Jitsu match starts standing.<\/p>\n

So you need to get good at takedowns if you want to get good at BJJ.<\/p>\n

In fact… a study of 100’s of matches<\/a> from the IBJJF World Championships showed:<\/p>\n

The most effective and efficient way to win a fight is to get a takedown that immediately creates a submission attack opportunity<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Most<\/p>\n

Credit: JiuJitsuBrotherhood<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

And even though BJJ is a direct descendant of Judo…<\/p>\n

…it’s now so different that it’s tough to go straight from one to the other<\/p>\n

Let’s find out why:<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the difference between Judo and BJJ?<\/h2>\n

As far as throws and takedowns are concerned:<\/p>\n

In Judo the match STOPS<\/strong> if someone is thrown substantially on their BACK<\/strong>, with both FORCE<\/strong> and SPEED<\/strong>. If all 3 criteria aren\u2019t met then it continues down onto the mat for groundwork.<\/p>\n

In BJJ even the best throw will just score you a few POINTS<\/strong> for a takedown… but the match will always continue onto the ground.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[This means how you land<\/em><\/strong> is just as important as the takedown]<\/p>\n

\"Kosen<\/p>\n

Plus:<\/p>\n

The International Judo Federation banned throws that involve grabbing the legs.<\/p>\n

[More on that later]<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
Double Leg Takedown: Listed in The Most Important Techniques of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So when I started cross-training Judo and BJJ something became clear pretty quickly…<\/p>\n

…the Judo throws I drilled the most wouldn\u2019t end the BJJ fight, and could leave me either:<\/p>\n

1. In a good position where I could immediately transition into a submission,
\n2. On top, in a dominant position like Side Control…<\/p>\n

But also:<\/p>\n

1. Inside someone\u2019s Guard, or
\n2. In a bad position with my back exposed<\/p>\n

\"Judo<\/p>\n

Credit Rik Vander Sanden<\/a>\u00a0(Creative Commons, No Modifications)<\/em><\/p>\n

But hey:<\/p>\n

I\u2019m only what you call a \u2018Hobbyist Black Belt\u2019…<\/p>\n

Judo for BJJ: An elite grappler\u2019s experience<\/h2>\n

What if you\u2019ve competed in Judo at the highest level\u2026 and then started training BJJ<\/a>?<\/p>\n

To find out I asked Matt D\u2019Aquino of Beyond Grappling<\/a>. Matt is a Judo Olympian and National Champion, 4th Degree Judo Black Belt, and a BJJ Brown Belt<\/p>\n

\"Picture<\/p>\n

He’s also the creator of this: Judo for BJJ Takedowns Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Matt’s answers:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0When you started BJJ what were your go-to throws?<\/h3>\n

1. Fireman\u2019s Carry (Kata Garuma)
\n2. Drop Shoulder Throw (Drop Seoi Nage), and
\n3. Double Leg Takedown (Morote Gari)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Matt<\/p>\n

Matt D’Aquino in action<\/p>\n

2. Were these Judo throws less effective in BJJ because of the rule differences?<\/h3>\n

Yes. I found that BJJ guys moved differently and reacted differently and I really struggled with their reactions. I almost found it easier to throw a Judoka opposed to a BJJ player.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Note the traditional upright posture in Judo where the legs are more exposed…<\/p>\n

\"Judo<\/p>\n

… compared to the more bent-over posture in BJJ because you have to worry about leg grabs:<\/p>\n

\"BJJ<\/a><\/p>\n

Credit Akiko Yanagawa<\/a> (Creative Commons, No Modifications)<\/p>\n

Another problem I had was the \u2018re-roll\u2019. This is where you throw yourself so much into the throw that you roll over your opponent after the throw and you end up on the bottom.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A great Judo throw example… but note the follow-through:<\/p>\n