Broken Rhythm

Any motion that exhibits a prolonged repetitive rhythm, such as an entry into a throw, makes you vulnerable. It allows the opponent to “time your entries” which affords your opponent more opportunities to take advantage by exploiting windows of opportunity within the speed or rhythm of your entry. Therefore it is important to keep changing your rhythm while in motion. This is called ‘broken rhythm’. If you can manage rhythm and broken rhythm in judo, you will keep your opponent guessing so you can direct the action and stay ahead.

Implementing Broken rhythm allows you to catch your opponent while they are feeling that they have your actions “timed. It harder for them to defend or counter your attack. In attacking, there are a few ways to break the rhythm within a series of movements after a rhythm has already been established. For example, speed up suddenly, slow down suddenly, and/or insert a feint or a brief pause or delay in your entry or the series of your movements.

Feints

Part of the concept of Broken rhythm are feints. Feints are actions that make an opponent think an attack is being launched against them. The object is to divert their attention from your final or intended point of attack, such as feint punching in a grip or feint entering into a throw. False attacks are intentionally made to fall short of a target and to draw a defensive reaction from the opponent. This will help you discover how they will react to your movements so you can get a grip, set up your throw or using your footwork to enter into a throw.

Feint Split Step Entry to Split Step Entry Ippon Seoi Nage

1.) Step your right foot forward at the top of the triangle. Your knees should be bent and your center of gravity low. Twist your upper body clockwise bring your left hand and shoulder to the front closer to your opponent. In a right vs. right situation your right shoulder should be more toward your rear and not out front and easily accessible for your opponent to grip and attack.

2.) Much like delivering a cross in boxing, shuffle forward and punch in with your left hand and grip your opponent’s gi right above the armpit. Punching in your grip should rock your opponent back on his heels.

3.) Immediately, pull the opponent back toward you with the left hand rocking him forward up off his heels. Simultaneously, step your left foot next to your right foot as if executing the split step entry.You want the feint to be realistic and cause a reaction from the opponent. As you step up with the left foot your knees should be bent more and your belt line should be lower than his belt line.                                                                                                                                                                                      

Feint Split Step Entry to Split Step Entry Ippon Seoi Nage (cont.)

4.) As soon as your left foot touches the mat then quickly spring off the mat with the left foot backward.

5.) As soon as the left foot touches the mat, spring forward again off the left foot bringing it up next to your right foot again. As you step up with the left foot the second time, your knees should be bent more and your belt line should be lower than his belt line.

 6.) Bring your right hand up under the opponent’s right armpit. Pivot counter clockwise on your left foot and continue to pull with the left hand. Your right foot steps back all the way through and between the opponent’s feet. The toes of both feet should be pointing to your front in the direction of the throw. Pinch the opponent’s right arm at his arm pit between your right forearm and bicep. Rotate the palm of the right hand toward your head (this creates a tighter clamp on the opponent’s arm).                                                                                                                                                                                               

7.)  Step back with your left foot between your opponent’s feet and to the inside of his left foot (as you step back with the left foot your opponent’s feet should start to raise up off the mat as indicated in picture).

8.) Straighten your legs quickly and pop your hips upward into the opponent.

6.) Continue to pull and twist your torso to the left, taking your right elbow toward your left knee and drive the opponent to the ground.

If you’re interested in further lessons or even having Coach Barron out to go into further detail please check out the Privates / Seminars Page with the link above or by Clicking HERE