About Us
Zane Lightfoot Receiving Silver Medal at 2006 Commonwealth Championship
The Lightfoot Judo School (LJS) opened it’s first training session in Saintfield on the 17th of May 2005, and has over the intervening years grown to six venues around the Down district. Ballygowan, Downpatrick, Killyleagh, Ballynahinch, Killinchy, Ballykeigle Primary School, Also the LJS provided instruction to Queens University in Belfast from 2007-2011 with a great range of students passing through the club from Irish University Champions to the social player. This great mix of students gives a dynamic that benefits all of those in the club as they support each other in friendship either on or off the mat. Judo provides an ideal environment for building strong and lasting relationships at home, in the region, nationally, and internationally.
At the Lightfoot Judo School we focus our teaching on the core techniques of the Japanese Long Term Player Development system in conjunction with the British Judo Association technical grading scheme.
Judo is more than a Sport
How can we define that it is more than a sport? We talk to the players and insist they train in a certain way that reflects the principles we talk about. It takes longer to see results through perseverance and obedience, the students develop behaviour which empowers them to learn and achieve and contribute to society in a way which benefits everybody.
Spirituality
Sport development is at the heart of our training where the Judoka (Judo player) will develop personal growth. They grow not just in age but emotionally – by discipline, in stature – by physical training, and relationally with their peers and also with adults – coaches/teachers/parents by building trust through training together and above all they will grow in God’s eyes. (Luke 2:52 AD 60-68).
A sport for Life
Unless time is taken to understand and grasp the fundamental elements which make it possible to execute techniques in judo then the road is short and many do not make it, judo is a sport with complex movements and requires time and patience for skill acquisition to take place, to enjoy the sport for life all these aspects must be learnt.
Technically
Judo at the LJS is taught with all the fundamentals of; Shintai – Movement (forward, backwards or sideways), Kuzushi – breaking balance, Taisabaki – Body turning, Kake – point of throw, Renraku-waza – combination techniques, Renzoku-waza – continuation techniques, Randori – free practice,
Shai – competition fighting, Kata – pre arrange form/series of techniques, Kime – control.
There by creating an understanding and development in the player of moving judo by being able to execute techniques in all directions which means judo can be an activity they can do for life.
Late Development Sport
Fiona Hayes states it is estimated that without a structured programme an athlete will reach only 75% of his or her potential. (Hayes, 2004),(Prov, 16:9,33).
Judo being a combat sport falls into the late development bracket. This means that should a person taking up the sport be under 20-21 years old, at different stages (from one year to the next) they may find it hard to produce results in competitions compared to others of their age. It is the simple case of as we grow our skeletal, muscular and neurologically systems do not always progress at the same rate or in balance with each other. In these formative years of a players participation in judo it is important that the player or parents don’t perceive success as winning in competition or being able to pass a grading, really the true measure of the players progression is not minding the result and displaying those characteristics listed under spirituality during participation and outside the club. (Balyi I,. Hamilton A. 2004, Kyuzo Mifune, 1956, Luke 2:52 AD 60-68).
The Principles
Prof Kano adopted these principles for judo some forty years after the physical structure and training system was in place for judo from it’s inception in 1882.
Jita-Kyoei : So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you (Matt 7:12)
Seirokyu-Zenyo : Virtual or good use of ones physical and mental strength (Isaiah 28:17a)
