Momentum in Judo

The best way to kick someone's butt is to let him throw himselves. How? Use the momentum in his attack against him!!!


Who   Needs   Technique?      He   Will   Throw   Himself!!!

Just kidding. You do need technique in order to throw your opponent properly, but you can save yourself a lot of time and energy if you can take advantage of your opponent's momentum. At one point or another in a match, your opponent will get so determined to throw you that he'll charge at you. BIG MISTAKE. The momentum that he is gaining as he charges at you will work to your advantage - if you know how to use it against him. If you just stood there, he'll knock you over. If you'll recall, if a moving object is moving towards a stationery object at some velocity V, then the momentum will move the combined mass at a lesser velocity. To avoid being knocked over by him, simply use his momentum against him. Since he is charging at you, his momentum is carrying him forward. All you need to do is turn into his body for a shoulder throw, as illustrated in the picture above. He will fit tightly onto your back and all you need to do is pull him over. This is how his momentum will cause him to throw himself.



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The Physics of Judo: Main Page
Newton's Three Laws of Motion in Judo!: Motion in Judo
Gravity Made Me Fall!: Another Physics Concept in Judo