Overview

Judo For All UK was founded by Sampson Sampson (8th Dan) in December 2010 in order to preserve traditional judo in a landscape where modern judo has been diluted to the point of non-recognition. JFAUK aims to provide an independent association to support the teaching, practice and development of Judo along the Japanese tradition, working to re-ignite judo as a martial art and pure fighting form through the allowance of traditional techniques, leg grabs and by placing a strong emphasis on ne-waza.

Further to this, JFAUK aims to use judo as an educational platform, providing guidance through a structured teaching methodology, encouraging and facilitating the ongoing development of judo within the community.  The organisation works towards increasing grassroots participation in a safe, enjoyable learning environment. Judo For All UK, aims to provide the best support for education and practice of judo without a compromise in the standards of safety, teaching, discipline and moral values that are expected from all those involved in the sport.

Our Philosophy

Judo, it’s philosophy, its principals and it’s techniques do not need to be continuously reinvented. They have been tried, tested and proven to be universal and applicable in all circumstances. In recent times, various excuses have been made to bring about revisions of judo, through tinkering with it’s basic principals, methodologies and it’s teachings. This has caused the abandonment of the fundamentals of the martial art, confusing it and questioning it’s validity, it’s effectiveness and its position in the global landscape. Standards are being lowered, making judo dysfunctional and unable to fulfil its basic aims. This has led to the development something that is, in fact, alien to judo and negates its basic purpose and effect.

At JFAUK we work towards re-igniting judo in its purest and most effective form by bringing back the techniques and core elements that make judo, judo. We believe that the judoka should be the focus of judo, and media audiences are simply secondary. Every individual judoka is a key piece of the puzzle and we, therefore, work towards growing judo in the UK by raising standards and focusing on promoting effective techniques and technical excellence.

Instructors

In the heart of our philosophy lies our absolute belief that Judo is about the individual students and instructors that dedicate their energies and resources to the teaching and the practice of judo in order realise fully its positive effects on our lives. We believe the existing clubs and instructors are the kingpin of the future of judo in the UK that is waiting to be unleashed.

We understand that there are many instructors that practice excellent judo but are restricted and their development is hampered by bureaucracy and various obstructions set before them. Judo for all UK aims to remove the effects of these on Judo, giving power back to the instructors and making it easier for all to participate, practice and enjoy judo.

JFAUK Syllabus

The current syllabus closely follows the principals and the fundamental teachings of judo.  It is the result of a 45 year, careful examination of the teaching process, offering the necessary step by step guide to the development and the benchmarks that need to be followed by instructors and judoka to raise their standards and enjoy a sensible and logical approach to judo.

The standards and the methodology behind our current teaching syllabus are designed to provide a step by step roadmap to build a deeper understanding of the concepts and the philosophy of judo. The syllabus works to improve technical abilities, raise confidence and create a sense of achievement and recognition of one’s efforts. It aims to develop an atmosphere that all can enjoy and help mutual qualitative development by overcoming weaknesses and building on strengths.

Mutual Respect

JFAUK complements and adds to the existing body of interest in Judo in the UK through its educational methodology and approach. We respect and recognise all judo related initiatives and aim to collaborate with each, all while upholding mutual respect and support.

Learning to Learn

Judo for all UK believes success lies in the process of development and considers that every member of JFAUK is both a student and a teacher. The student is therefore responsible to learn not just for one’s own sake but also in order teach others. The instructors must also learn how to teach to people of diverse abilities, from different perspectives and also continue to advance their own understandings. Thus, teaching and learning become inseparable components in the process of sharpening one’s ability to learn how to learn. At higher levels, this process is even more palpable, as teachers/students with higher grades are able to appreciate even finer and more subtle changes and differences in things that may have been overlooked in earlier periods.