First, maybe I should introduce myself. My name is Chriszy, 21 years old and has been training judo for about 13 years now. Training currently in Stockholm Judo and Jujutsu Dojo. Has been a coach since I was 14 years old and I have two own children groups now for a little more than a year back. Been a competitive judoka since I have been training for 6 months, until about 2½ years ago, but I plan to take up the competition again. Have recently graduating to 1st DAN! In addition to judo, I’m currently training for the girl-classics, which I only have one run left, and to start the semi-classics this summer! Im writing more about judo, trainings and other things on my blog http://www.chbw.blogg.se You’re more than welcome to check it out!
What I think is most important in my children’s training especially for the beginners is that we have fun. If I can’t get up on the mat with a smile on my face I dont influence the kids. Then i dont have to be there at all. Trainings should give joy and I want the children to be happy after each one. They’ll think it’s fun to come and work out. I’ve noticed that as long as I (or my assistant coach) sounds really happy and as if this particular exercise is the best exercise ever, the kids will also like it. Every week we have strength trainings with pushups, situps and an exercise that my coach calls fun (burpees), which is an incredibly hard workout. I also call the exercise fun and the kids love it.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how tough trainings you should have for kids. Are you going to throw them directly into “competition” training? Or have a soft start. Or something in between? My trainings once a week is only for beginners aged 6-12 years old. There we have a pretty playful judo, we teach techniquess up to the yellow belt. We practice the technique of strength training, we practice Randori and have both play and relaxations at the end.
My second training group is equally structured, but it’s tougher and more focused on the techniques after the ryellow belt. This intermediate step is needed in our club since the step between beginners and the children’s group for the children who compete / want to work harder is both longer and a much tougher training. I think that as long as I (or you?) as a coach are positive and happy, the kids are going with that also. The exercises will be like a great lovely game, and who does not want to take a part of that?
Learning Judo I think it’s among the funniest things. Especially when it comes to children. They are so incredibly grateful to practice, and it is so beautiful when you see the development of those who have been coached by me from the start. One of my students I had many years ago, when he was around 10 years old, is incredibly good at judo today and has developed tremendously. However, both him and I changed to different clubs, so I have seen him mostly on competitions / training camps in recent years.
Best Regards Chriszy