Frequently Asked Questions

What is Judo?

Throwing, grappling, submissions!

• Folding laundry while people are still wearing it
• Punching a person with the planet
• Making people question the laws of physics

Judo is a modern martial art and Olympic sport that focuses on throwing, grappling, and submission techniques. It emphasises using an opponent's strength and movement against them, promoting balance, coordination, and respect.

Also, Judo is a lot of fun, even for the seniors!

Am I too small, big, short, or tall for Judo?

Absolutely not! Judo is for everyone, regardless of size or body type. We'll help you adapt your Judo techniques to work with your unique strengths and abilities. We have students of all shapes and sizes successfully practicing Judo and enjoying it!

Why choose Judo over other martial arts?

Judo is a practical, safe, and effective martial art that works both standing and on the ground. Unlike arts that focus on striking or knocking opponents out, Judo resolves situations humanely through throws, grappling, and submissions. Many martial artists who have tried other disciplines often find themselves drawn to Judo for its efficiency and versatility. Most of our club members have studied other martial arts before settling on Judo. Additionally, Judo is the foundation of other popular martial arts, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Sambo.

Judo AND Jujitsu?

Our Judo club offers a well-rounded approach to martial arts, blending traditional Judo with elements of Japanese Jujitsu. While Judo originated from Jujitsu, and BJJ evolved from Judo, we focus on teaching a broad range of techniques, emphasising both standing and ground work. Many Judo clubs specialise exclusively in sports Judo, we focus more on the martial art aspects of Judo, incorporating self-defence from Jujitsu and key ground techniques from BJJ. This approach gives our students a deeper understanding of martial arts, ensuring they develop into well-rounded practitioners with a solid foundation in traditional Judo.

What does Kōritsu-ryū mean?

Kōritsu-ryū (効率流) translates to "Efficiency Style." Our Judo practice is based on this principle, ensuring that each movement is purposeful and effective. It conveys a focus on maximising effectiveness while minimising wasted effort, reflecting a smart and strategic approach to martial arts.

What does a typical class look like?

Each class starts with warm up and breakfall practice (landing safely). It will then focus on any combination of throwing techniques, ground fighting, or self-defence.

Is it full contact?

Yes ... but without striking. Our self-defence classes may include simulated striking techniques, but Judo is considered a full-contact sport because training often involves grappling with opponents who are fully resisting. This means that during Judo practice, participants engage in realistic, high-intensity scenarios where they must apply techniques against opponents who are actively trying to defend themselves.

Is it dangerous?

All contact sports carry some inherent risk, but we prioritise a culture of safe training. While seniors will learn joint locking and choking techniques, these are taught with a strong emphasis on safety to ensure a secure training environment for everyone involved.

Do you hold blue card and first aid certification?

Yes. Sensei Aaron holds a blue card and has been trained in CPR, first aid, and basic emergency life support.

Why is belt progression so slow?

Some martial arts clubs promote on a time or attendance basis, and charge for promotions every few months. We only promote students when they have achieved proficiency for the belt level.

A Junior who attends regularly and applies themselves will progress around two belt levels a year.

Seniors have fewer belt levels with more requirements and will still be learning and progressing even if their belt colour doesn't change for a while.

A student earning a new belt at our Judo club can stand proud knowing that they earned it fully and didn't just attend for a period of time.

You will still be progressing and learning even if your belt doesn't change colour for a while. Also, students progress at different rates and we proudly accomodate all skill and proficiency levels at our club.

I've done another martial art, do I get credit?

No. Training in a similar martial art may help you progress quicker, though. Please bear in mind that it is often harder to learn a new martial art if you maintain the mindset of a previous martial art. Approach Judo with a spirit of learning and growth rather than shoehorning it into your old training mindset. See next question for how we know why!

What martial arts background do the trainers have?

Sensei Aaron has been training Judo for the better part of a decade. He achieved a silver medal at the Judo National Titles, fighting against black belts, while he was still a green belt. He also holds a taekwondo black belt, and has studied Japenese Jujitsu for four years, and Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu for three years. He quickly came to realise that taking the mindset of a previous martial art into a new one was highly counter-productive.

My question isn't answered here. Help!

Please see your instructor or contact us.

How long are classes?

Juniors run just shy of an hour, seniors will go for 90 minutes, but may also run a little longer. Tiny tots are scheduled for 30 minutes but may run longer when energy levels are good.

Some months will have more or fewer classes?

Absolutely, calendars are ridiculous! Calendar pricing was chosen to keep things simple. Some months will have more or fewer classes than others. Swings and roundabouts.

What if my payment is late?

If there are extenuating circumstances, please see your instructor. Otherwise, you will be switched to casual rates for the month if the monthly fee is not received by the second class of the month.

Tell me about tiny tots fees?

Tiny tots are per term and should be paid before term commences. You will receive an invoice once the enrolment form is processed.

Can my child join the senior class if I am in the senior class?

This will be considered on a case-by-case basis. See your instructor for more details.

What payment methods do you accept?

Cash, credit card, and bank transfer. Please have correct cash amounts as we don't keep cash on premises. See your instructor for banking details. Credit card payments are to be made online once we send out your invoice.

What about puiblic holidays?

Unless advised by your instructor, there will be no training on public holidays. The full month fee still applies.

What about December and January holiday period?

There will be a break in December and January. These months are combined and only one month's fees will cover them both. Your instructor will inform you of the break dates.

I couldn't make it to class. Can I get a refund?

No. Class fees are non-refundable.