Friday, February 23, 2024

Another Carl Cestari Classic - Judo Nagewaza For Self Defense



 “ Judo Nagewaza (Throwing Technique) in the Street. ”

by Carl Cestari


How practical are throwing techniques (nagewaza) for self-defense or street-fighting?

NOT VERY!

The Japanese themselves have a saying, "One year for newaza (ground technique),
TEN YEARS for nagewaza (Throwing technique)". It takes ten times as long to
become proficient at throwing than it does at ground fighting.

Trying to throw a fully resisting, fighting adversary and pulling off a "clean" throw
is VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.

People will INSTINCTIVELY grab, seize, claw and otherwise do all sorts of "spoiling"
maneuvers when one attempts to execute a "throw".

In all of the fights I have seen, I can recall ONLY three instances where one guy was able
to pull off a clean solid throw. And this person was practicing Judo on an almost DAILY
basis.

I've seen throws used in other situations but quite honestly they got the person into
MORE TROUBLE than it was worth.

I will cite three classic examples of what it takes to become "skilled" enough to even
attempt Nagewaza in a real street fight.

1. Masahiko ’Judo" Kimura TRAINED upwards of NINE hours a DAY!

He did thousands of repetitions of Uchikomi (fitting in) to develop just a COUPLE of
reliable Nagewaza (Seoi Nage (Should throw) & O Soto Gari (Big leg reap)). Reading
Kimura's biography you will note that in his street fights and "vale tudo" matches as well,
when he faced skilled boxers his reliance on Nage was still an "iffy" proposition.

Make no mistake..

KIMURA WAS AN ANIMAL!

2. Famed Judo legend Yamashita (explained at his recent seminar that it took
THOUSANDS of repetitions of uchikomi AND the brutal three man drills to BEGIN to
develop the skill to effectively employ throwing techniques.

3. And last but certainly not least is Yonezuka who ADVOCATES the use of
ASHIBARAI (foot sweep) without GRABBING as the BEST overall and SAFEST (for
you) method of slamming someone on their ass.

The other thing that pisses me off is the idea that JUJUTSU throws are somehow
BETTER than JUDO throws for real combat. BULLSHIT. The only REAL difference
between Judo and Jujutsu nagewaza is generally the manner of seizing the opponent.
HOWEVER, a judoka can do this just as EASILY. But moreover, JUDO nage are
PROVEN to be effective in REAL ADVERSARIAL COMPETITIONS. Sure you can
talk about the old Jujutsu styles employing joint locks and strangleholds in conjunction
with throwing BUT again, JUDO methods have been evolving in a far MORE real arena.

I have NEVER seen a Jujutsuka "pull off' any NAGEWAZA against even neophyte
JUDOKAS or WRESTLERS! EVER.

And in a REAL street fight some of the NONSENSE that these people banter on about
concerning the "COMBAT" application of these throws will get you FUCKING
KILLED!

The nonsense they preach on about SOUNDS "cool" but will FAIL in the REAL
unscripted world.

Almost ANY attempt at REALLY slamming someone will invariably find BOTH of you
on the ground. Hopefully, but CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS, with you on top, then the
light goes ON. Against more than ONE opponent you HAVE BIG PROBLEMS!

Also consider the TACTICAL problems with KNOWINGLY turning your BACK into an
ENEMY! And ANY one-legged type throw, i.e., Hane-goshi (Hip spring throw)/Harai-
goshi (Loin throw)/0 guruma (Big Outer Wheel) /Uchimata (Inner Thigh Throw) will
INSURE that you BOTH hit the DECK.

The BEST methods I have seen and practiced for actually USING throwing techniques in
self-protection came from Bruce Tegner. His concept of seizing the upper arms or
shoulders with both hands and then GOING TO WORK on the opponents legs with a
BARRAGE of LOW HARD KICKS and THEN executing a throw is the ONLY
approach that seems to have validity and is viable. AND that approach is what REAL
kuzushi is all about.

Another topic loaded with BULLSHIT. KUZUSHI is NOT a subtle maneuvering to
"break balance" in THE REAL WORLD nor is it evident in almost ANY real Randori or
Shiai. MORE esoteric fantasy crap. If I want to "break your balance" I'll do it by
KNOCKING THE SHIT out of you!

Lastly, DON'T believe the BULLSHIT about Judo throws "being SAFE" for the
opponent. HORSESHIT! With SUFFICIENT practice you can "land" a guy on his
HEAD, NECK or shoulder.

What makes Judo throws SEEM safe is the practice of UKEMI, the use of TATAMI mats and the LACK of intent in FUCKING up your training partner.

Check out Koizumi's book on throws. He explains very well how a Dojo "safe" throw can
be executed on the STREET with devastating results by a simple change in the direction
of the "pull" done by the hands and wrists.

Instead of "heaving" your man over and directing him INTO a breakfall, you JUST pull
STRAIGHT down and DRIVE him head first into the ground.

The DOERS KNOW the difference between real and chickenshit. The pontificators
present ONLY a "shell" that has NO REAL SUBSTANCE, just "warrior fantasy appeal".
They are blinded by their own BULLSHIT.


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