In addition to live training exercises like randori, judo also has kata – sets of pre-arranged movements where the partners cooperate in practicing throws, groundwork, and self defense techniques. The video above is the Kodokan’s official English-language training film for studying the nage no kata (forms of throwing). The nage-no-kata is usually the first kata one learns, and is usually part of the requirement for attaining first degree black belt.
- Friend of the dojo Chishiro Nishitani is a two-time national champion in kata!
- The United States Judo Federation has an annual kata conference.
- Here in the Bay Area, Soko Joshi Dojo in San Francisco holds regular kata seminars. Click here and scroll down to “Kata Clinics” to get in touch and register for an upcoming seminar.