Kneeling Judo Randori
Judo bouts with both fighters on their knees using judo grips, where a point is scored by putting the opponent's back on the mat. It is a classic step before standing randori: students apply grips, off-balancing, and control without the risk of falls from height.
How to play
- Pairs of similar weight in 10 x 10 ft mat squares, 3 ft apart. Kneeling bow to start (1 min).
- Grip entry (3 min): kneeling face to face, each grabs sleeve and lapel. 20-second game: the first to get a double grip wins; repeat 5 times.
- Guided off-balancing (4 min): demonstrate two actions, pulling the sleeve diagonally back and pushing in a turn to the side; each pair tries them at half strength, 6 per person.
- Randori for points (8 min): 1-minute rounds. One point if the opponent's back touches the mat; if someone leaves the square, restart in the center. After each round, 30 seconds of rest and rotate to the pair on your right.
- During a round, nobody stands up: if someone rises, the round stops and restarts.
- Wrap-up (4 min): bow, gentle neck and shoulder stretches, and a group share on which off-balance worked best.
Rules
- Stay on your knees: standing up stops the round.
- No grabbing the neck or head and no joint locks on arms or fingers.
- Tapping the mat or the partner twice means stop immediately.
- Bow to your opponent before and after each round.
Variations
Easier
Win only by pushing the opponent out of the square, without going for the back.
Standard
Point for back on the mat in 1-minute rounds.
Harder
After taking the opponent down, hold them for 10 seconds to score.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: if the student can't kneel, they wrestle seated against a seated opponent, scoring by tipping them onto their side.
- Autism or touch sensitivity: start with a trusted partner and 30-second rounds.
- Lower fitness: 40-second rounds with 1 minute of rest.
Learning goals
- Apply judo grips and off-balancing against live resistance.
- Solve combat situations with quick decisions.
- Respect the opponent and stop signals.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tatami mats: 30
- stopwatch: 1
Teacher tip
Make sure nobody posts a straight arm to catch a fall: they should land on the forearm or roll. Pair by weight, not by friendship.
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