Judo

Video - Judo Adaptation for Blind Athletes

Transisioning from Wrestling to Judo for Blind & Low Vision Athletes (by Marc P. Vink, Ed.D., National Judo Coach)
As an Asian wrestling form, judo has much in common with Greco-Roman and free style wrestling. This article discusses the transition between the two sports. Click here for article.

Modifications and Suggestions for Training and Competition
B1 and B2. Judo adaptation is similar to wrestling. During informal matches, opponents start with a grip on the Gi of the other. In formal matches, guides bring the opponents to the introduction, then to the starting line, opponents touch and drop hands, the match begins, and the guides remove the opponents at completion.

Visually Impaired Judo Coach Requirements For Certification
Asst. Coach
A coach may apply for certification as a USABA Visually Impaired Judo Coach of this level having met the following requirements or their equivalent. Successfully completed a USABA Judo VI Certification Course. Having a minimum rank of 1st Degree Brown Ikkyu recognized by IJF. The applicant must be a current member of the USABA and USA Judo (NGB), USJA or USJF. An Asst. Coach may assist any certified coach of a higher level.

Coach
A coach may apply for certification as a USABA VI Judo Coach of this level having met the following requirements or their equivalent. Successfully completed a USABA Judo VI Certification Course. Have been an Asst. Coach for 1 year or more. Have assisted in at least one training camp for VI athletes in the prior year. Having a minimum rank of 1st Degree Black Belt Shodan recognized by IJF. The applicant must be a current member of the USABA and USA Judo (NGB), USJA or USJF. Have a Coach Certification from USJI, USJF, or USJI of Level E or higher or equivalent. A Coach at this level may coach at any USABA local or regional Judo event.

Senior Coach
A coach may apply for certification as a USABA VI Judo Coach of this level having met the following requirements or their equivalent. Successfully completed a USABA Judo VI Certification Course. Have been a Coach for 2 years or more. Have Coached in at least two training camp each year for VI athletes in the prior two years. Having a minimum rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt recognized by IJF. The applicant must be a current member of the USABA and USA Judo (NGB), USJA or USJF. Have a Coach Certification from USJI, USJF, or USJI of Level D or higher or equivalent. A Coach of this level may Coach at any USABA local, regional and National Judo events.

Master Coach
A coach may apply for certification as a USABA VI Judo Coach of this level having met the following requirements or their equivalent. Successfully completed a USABA Judo VI Certification Course. Have been a Coach for 3 years or more. Have coached in at least two training camps per year for VI athletes in the prior three years. Having a minimum rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt recognized by IJF. The applicant must be a current member of the USABA and USA Judo (NGB), USJA or USJF. Have a Coach Certification from the USJI, USJF, or USJI of Level C or higher equivalent. A Coach of this level may Coach at any USABA any Judo event.

A coach may satisfy the coaching requirement by coaching or Assisting at an approved USABA event. Any Coach that teaches Judo at a Club dedicated to VI students at a facility approved by USABA automatically meets these requirements. Coaches must maintain active membership in the USABA and at least one of the following USJI, USJF, USJA or the time in grade will be reduced to the actual time as a valid member. All coaches must maintain active CPR/First Aid certification.

The fee for this certification and USABA membership is set by the United States Association of Blind Athletes.

The United States Association of Blind Athletes, a member organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is a non-profit organization that provides training for blind and visually impaired athletes for competition in nine sports. USABA members range from blind children developing sports skills to elite athletes who train for competitions such as the Paralympic Games, which continually draws more than 4,000 disabled athletes.