Getting Served up some Humble Pie

So I show up at practice last night, to discover that there are only 3 others at class. Since I am, by some crazy coincidence, the highest ranking person there, Sensei asked me to lead the warm-ups. Afterward, we did some Uchikomi practice. I am looking to expand my Shiai repertoire and I was getting some good ashi-waza advice from Sensei.

After about 20 minutes, our Uchikomi practice turned into Randori. Since one of the three others was coming off of an injury, he bowed out of the Randori, and the rest of us went at it. I did about 35-40 minutes of Randori, including the first 20 minutes straight against the same Judoka- who is relatively my size. In the opening minutes I had a lot of good attacks, but I quickly ran out of gas, and then I got sloppy. He threw me with some light throws at first, but then he got me with a beautiful O-Soto! One or two more losing rounds for me, and took a break.

So I sat down and let the other two guys go at it. After about 10-15 minutes of their randori, I played the other Judoka. Same deal - at first I hit my moves, but then I got tired, and I got sloppy. I also lost my will to attack, and started playing passive and getting schooled.

As good as I think I am, and as much as my Judo has progressed, I still have a long way to go. It's funny, every sensei that I've ever had has told me to improve my Ashi-Waza, and for some crazy reason, I am finally listening to them. I am realizing that I need to use 'small judo' and generate better opportunities for myself.

I guess I am not as good as I thought I was afterall, but this is a good thing, it helps me focus and understand how to improve.

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The Catch-all Post for April

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The Road to Nidan

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