BEGINNERS’ SESSIONS

When is the next beginners’ course?

A new beginners’ course will be arranged soon, keep checking back for information or join us on Facebook for the latest information. Places can fill up quickly, so get in early!

Do I have to attend a beginners’ course?

Yes!

Before your child can fully join in with the rest of our experienced players in a regular training session there are some basics skills that they must learn, for their own safety and the safety of others around them.

Once the short introductory period is completed and they have developed confidence in some elementary techniques, they can be safely integrated with the main group and begin to enjoy their Judo. Within no time they’ll be getting stuck in with the best of them!

How do beginners’ sessions work?

The beginners’ course consists of three 1-hour sessions. The beginners are taught as a separate group away from the more experienced players so they can learn together in a relaxed manner.

During the sessions they will learn the very basics of the sport:

  • The etiquette of respect for your opoponent and for the sport;
  • How to land correctly when thrown by your opponent;
  • Some simple throws;
  • Some simple ground holds;
  • How to put it all together fighting against an opponent.

Every session finishes with all players together in games, team races or other fun activities.

Who leads the beginners’ sessions?

Neil Jolliffe leads all of our beginners’ sesions. Neil is an experienced 1st Dan judo player and a qualified BJA coach who has introduced many children and adults to Judo at our club.

His three-week course follows a tried and tested format developed over many years of teaching Judo to beginners of all ages. Remarkably, he still seems to have inexhaustible patience, especially with the youngest of our beginners!

How much does a beginners’ course cost?

Our beginners’ course costs £20 for three 1-hour sessions. We do ask everyone to pay the full cost in advance, please.

How do I book a place for me or my child?

Contact Julie and we’ll put your name on the waiting list. We’ll also arrange for you to come along and view one of our club nights so you can see what goes on. You may find that your preconception of what judo is all about is changed when you see our players in action!

When we have a confirmed date for the next intake of beginners we’ll let you know.

What should I wear?

Turn up to your beginners’ session wearing tracksuit bottoms, preferably with no zips or other hard metal bits. We will supply the jackets and belts. Judo is practised barefoot.

Boys wear nothing under the jacket, but girls should wear a plain t-shirt, preferably white, again with no hard bits like zips, buttons, or laces.

As a matter of etiquette, please ensure you come onto the Judo mat with clean hands and feet, and please make sure that your finger nails and toe nails are cut short.

Long hair should be tied back, but make sure there is NO hard metal or plastic in the hair tie.

Any ear studs or other body piercings should be removed while you’re on the Judo mat. It’s for your own safety.

After the course – what next?

After you’ve completed your beginners’ course we encourage you to continue your Judo with us at Hollesley by becoming a member of the club. This will, in turn, require you to become a member of the British Judo Association with your own Judo licence.

Amongst other things, your licence is your insurance cover should anything unfortunate happen while you are on the mat.

Your licence also lets you to take part in all of our club training sessions, gradings, and competitions, as well as other events taking place elsewhere outside the club. To continue in Judo anywhere you MUST have your own licence.

No licence, no Judo!

Within a few weeks, your Judo will have developed and you will start to think about your first grading. Then you know you’re on your way to what we hope will be a long and fruitful involvement with Judo at Hollesley.

We look forward to seeing you soon!