[Judoforlife]

Does the USJA have a High School Judo committee? Anyone who knows of any High Schools in the US that have integrated Judo into the curriculum please list here. Anyone that has any past experiance at going through the process of integrating Judo into a High School curriculum i.e. PE credit I would appreciate some info on your experiances in this. Background info on existing programs in High Schools such as qualifications for instructors/teachers, syllabus, etc.

Our local High School has PE classes such as weight lifting and Yoga, I would think that something like Judo would be an exciting additional choice for students and ofcourse a good way to generate new prospective Judoka. Thinking on this, a Judo curriculum for High School could easily go beyond just techniques, it could include history and origins, philosophy of Judo, terminology, etc., could make for a very rich syllabus in a structured and daily schedule environment in a High Shool program. Maybe a semester, testing on techniques, history, etc. and earn a Yellow Belt at the end .... something like that.

If there is a USJA High School Committee, hopefully maybe they have a resource packet with references to facts and data for presentation to School Boards such as:

Safety of Judo compared to other physical activities/sports
Benefits of Judo in creating self confidence and a cooperative mindset
Physical Educational benefits of Judo
Currculum Templates
Testimonials from other schools systems which have successfully integrated Judo into their curriculums
Testimonials from other educational peers on the benefits of Judo
etc.

I know its somewhat common as a PE credit in Universities, a friend of mine teaches the class at New Mexico State University as a PE credit along with having a University Judo Club. Provided there are adequate resources, instructors, mats, etc. I cant see why it couldnt be integrated into a High School curriculum?

This post has been edited by Judoforlife: 23 June 2008 - 10:59 PM

[Judowrestler1]

They could always use the wrestling mats. The main problem I think they see with it is many schools already have a wrestling program. They feel like it's close enough and wouldn't want to go through the hassle of trying to find qualified instructors.

[Judoforlife]

Judowrestler1, on Jun 24 2008, 10:31 AM, said:

They could always use the wrestling mats. The main problem I think they see with it is many schools already have a wrestling program. They feel like it's close enough and wouldn't want to go through the hassle of trying to find qualified instructors.

I could see potential "political" complications for sports programs which appear to be in competition with each other in a high school program, whether Judo actually became a new sport sanctioned by the High School program might be a long term goal, but short term, just to get more kids exposed to it. Im mainly looking for schools that have simply made it an actual PE class for credit. Obviously one can use the high school wrestling mats for teaching. As far as teachers ... I would think that even a middle Kyu grade could teach the class under the watchfull eye of a Dan grade to support the development, review and approval of a final syllabus, instruction techniques, etc. Maybe 1 full semester class... teaching falling techniques, maybe 4 throws, 2 pins, some non submission grappling techniques and skills such as ground movement, escapes from pins, guard passing, turnovers from guard, positional strategy, randori, etc., and of course class room sessions on the history of Judo. Succsessful completion of the class .. results in award of Rokkyu via JI, JA, or JF. With potential higher Kyu grading based on participation above and beyond/outside the class, i.e. tournament participation.

Just thoughts.

This post has been edited by Judoforlife: 24 June 2008 - 05:19 PM

[RoswellJudoClub]

Judoforlife, on Jun 24 2008, 10:17 AM, said:

I could see potential "political" complications for sports programs which appear to be in competition with each other in a high school program, whether Judo actually became a new sport sanctioned by the High School program might be a long term goal, but short term, just to get more kids exposed to it. Im mainly looking for schools that have simply made it an actual PE class for credit. Obviously one can use the high school wrestling mats for teaching. As far as teachers ... I would think that even a middle Kyu grade could teach the class under the watchfull eye of a Dan grade to support the development, review and approval of a final syllabus, instruction techniques, etc. Maybe 1 full semester class... teaching falling techniques, maybe 4 throws, 2 pins, some non submission grappling techniques and skills such as ground movement, escapes from pins, guard passing, turnovers from guard, positional strategy, randori, etc., and of course class room sessions on the history of Judo. Succsessful completion of the class .. results in award of Rokkyu via JI, JA, or JF. With potential higher Kyu grading based on participation above and beyond/outside the class, i.e. tournament participation.

Just thoughts.

When I went to NMMI, we had judo and karate available as credit classes. They were taught in a fashion similar to college classes (actually, because it was both college and high school, it was mixed). Our instructor did not do promotions, I don't think (being promoted was never an option for me at school).

As an academic class, though PE class, I believe one can probably do more as one could assign homework (research) with a reasonable expectation of its completion.

[Judoforlife]

judoguyersomething, on Jun 24 2008, 01:52 PM, said:

When I went to NMMI, we had judo and karate available as credit classes. They were taught in a fashion similar to college classes (actually, because it was both college and high school, it was mixed). Our instructor did not do promotions, I don't think (being promoted was never an option for me at school).

As an academic class, though PE class, I believe one can probably do more as one could assign homework (research) with a reasonable expectation of its completion.

A High School Judo class for a PE Credit would be the perfect seeder for introducing kids to Judo and generating new Judoka. If they would like to continue after the class, then they could enroll at the Local Dojo.

[RoswellJudoClub]

Judoforlife, on Jun 24 2008, 01:04 PM, said:

A High School Judo class for a PE Credit would be the perfect seeder for introducing kids to Judo and generating new Judoka. If they would like to continue after the class, then they could enroll at the Local Dojo.

It could also be done as an afterschool program at the high school. The difficulty that I have seen with trying to formulate a curricular plan is in volume of students, if the class is a very popular class (over time), one could conceivably hold everything from a beginning judo class to black belt level classes, each a different class (one year beginning judo, one year intermediate, two years advanced, etc.).

With an after-school club, you could move from a basic fundamental academic class to competitive approaches and even kata without interrupting fundamentals of technique.

[Cornelljudo3]

At Cornell University, there is judo availible for PE credits, and it's a real class. My dad's taught it for several years now. If you've got any questions he might be able to answer them.

[IMesh]

Hawaii has high school Judo. As a Hawaii kid, let me tell you, it's super awesome having Judo in high school. The Judo season is after the wrestling season and its great. However, there are no chokes and armbars in high school Judo.

This post has been edited by IMesh: 24 June 2008 - 11:23 PM

[FantasticSix]

IMesh, on Jun 24 2008, 06:22 PM, said:

Hawaii has high school Judo. As a Hawaii kid, let me tell you, it's super awesome having Judo in high school. The Judo season is after the wrestling season and its great. However, there are no chokes and armbars in high school Judo.

Brian Germain teaches such a program in Bartow, Florida. Summerlin Judo I believe is the club name.

[kanegaro]

I know the topic was on high school programs, but we seem to have moved to college and university level programs. There are several courses across the country. The University of Connecticut (UConn) has had a 30+ year tradition of teaching Judo, Jujutsu, Karate, Jukido, and Aikido for credit, while Tang su do, boxing, Vovinam, mixed martial arts, Capoeira, boxing and wrestling existed as club sports. Today only Jujutsu, Karate, and Aikido are taught for credit. I was the head instructor for Jujutsu for several years after taking it over from Dr. Andrew Yiannakis (Judo and Jujutsu). While the program continues under one of our successors I have move to Eastern Connecticut State University as a professor and will be teaching Jujutsu in the fall of 2008. The University coincidently has Tai chi chuan and just hosted the 3rd New England International Chinese Martial Arts Championships.

As much as I would like to think that our programs are excellent and unique, there are lots of programs across the country. In fact some universities have started to include the martial arts as part of their major programs. The University of Bridgeport is one school that now offers a BA in the martial arts, although to be quite honest, it is a BA in Taekwondo. Indiana University also has a certificate program in the martial arts.

I have not been successful with trying to get programing started in high schools. Often it is a matter of resources (financial and human). I have certainly found the desire as I have had many high school students come to the university and join us. Further my physical education students feel and see a need for the martial arts, especially Judo, in school high programs. I find it is a matter of having a single dedicated person who feels strongly for the martial arts, who pushes for their inclusion in a program, and who is willing to teach these classes that develops a successful program.

Lastly, please find below links to the universities and program I mentioned above. Also I have included two references on using Judo for physical education purposes.

Martial Arts: An Exciting Addition to the Physical Education Curriculum
Journal article by Jason M. Winkle, John C. Ozmun; JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Vol. 74, 2003

Pyecha J. Comparative effects of judo and selected physical education activities on male
university freshman personality traits.Res Q. 1970 Oct;41(3):425-31.


http://www.uconn.edu/
http://www.easternct.edu/
http://www.bridgepor.../pages/3868.asp
http://www.wsrjj.org/home/
http://www.indiana.e...certificate.php

Hope this helps. Good luck to all.

[Judoforlife]

kanegaro, on Jun 27 2008, 08:42 AM, said:

I know the topic was on high school programs, but we seem to have moved to college and university level programs. There are several courses across the country. The University of Connecticut (UConn) has had a 30+ year tradition of teaching Judo, Jujutsu, Karate, Jukido, and Aikido for credit, while Tang su do, boxing, Vovinam, mixed martial arts, Capoeira, boxing and wrestling existed as club sports. Today only Jujutsu, Karate, and Aikido are taught for credit. I was the head instructor for Jujutsu for several years after taking it over from Dr. Andrew Yiannakis (Judo and Jujutsu). While the program continues under one of our successors I have move to Eastern Connecticut State University as a professor and will be teaching Jujutsu in the fall of 2008. The University coincidently has Tai chi chuan and just hosted the 3rd New England International Chinese Martial Arts Championships.

As much as I would like to think that our programs are excellent and unique, there are lots of programs across the country. In fact some universities have started to include the martial arts as part of their major programs. The University of Bridgeport is one school that now offers a BA in the martial arts, although to be quite honest, it is a BA in Taekwondo. Indiana University also has a certificate program in the martial arts.

I have not been successful with trying to get programing started in high schools. Often it is a matter of resources (financial and human). I have certainly found the desire as I have had many high school students come to the university and join us. Further my physical education students feel and see a need for the martial arts, especially Judo, in school high programs. I find it is a matter of having a single dedicated person who feels strongly for the martial arts, who pushes for their inclusion in a program, and who is willing to teach these classes that develops a successful program.

Lastly, please find below links to the universities and program I mentioned above. Also I have included two references on using Judo for physical education purposes.

Martial Arts: An Exciting Addition to the Physical Education Curriculum
Journal article by Jason M. Winkle, John C. Ozmun; JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Vol. 74, 2003

Pyecha J. Comparative effects of judo and selected physical education activities on male
university freshman personality traits.Res Q. 1970 Oct;41(3):425-31.
http://www.uconn.edu/
http://www.easternct.edu/
http://www.bridgepor.../pages/3868.asp
http://www.wsrjj.org/home/
http://www.indiana.e...certificate.php

Hope this helps. Good luck to all.

Thanks Kanegaro ... im going to be meeting with the local Junior Colledge next week to discuss inculding Judo in thie curriculum on a full time basis as PE credit. Until about 5 years ago, my old instructor taught a summer class at the University but it didnt count as a PE credit, it was more of a summer "thing" that they would have every year, and at the time I has been out of Judo since my ealry 20s but my old sensei (although retired from full time "Dojo" instruction) was still teaching the summer course. Three years ago I got heavily back into Judo and we opened an actual Dojo, what were gonna pitch to the Junior Colledge is they can offer the PE class year round and simply send the students to the Dojo, that way they really wont need a minumum number of signups as the colledge class is simply attending our own normal Dojo class schedule with all of our regular students. So even if only 1 student signs up from the JC, they can still attend the PE credit class at the Dojo. After the semester, maybe they stay, maybe they dont ... either way we win with exposing more to Judo.

[Judoforlife]

The two year branch of NMSU here in Carlsbad, NM will now be offering Beginners Judo as a 1 credit hour PE class which I will be teaching over an 8 week session starting next Fall semester. It was a simple matter once I went to visit thier admin offices as the class (intermediate and advanced as well) were already in thier catalogue from the main campus in Las Cruces where a good friend of mine who is a Sandan is teaching the course there and hosts the NMSU Judo Club as well. So students from the branch here in Carlsbad will simply attend the our normal 1.5 hour Seniors class at the Dojo Mon/Thurs nights from 7:30 to 9:00 pm for 8 weeks. Whats convienant is that regardless of how many students from the College sign up they can still hold the class, even if only one student sign up for it, we will always hold class for the regular dojo students regardless.

Hopefully well be able to retain a few here and there, and at worst expose a few extra people to Kodokan Judo.

Next goal, is to try and get it into the alternative school program ... one of my students is a councelor for the school system, she is a SERIOUS go getter and LOVES Judo so she will be the driver and inside support. She placed third in her first tournament last Fathers Day weekend (State Championships) but shes ranked first in the state as the two that beat her are from out of state (she won her match with a choke/submission-shes a tough lady) Currently the school board is in the process of selecting a new Super so until this is resolved not much can or will be done, but soon were gonna give it a shot.

This post has been edited by Judoforlife: 03 July 2008 - 03:32 PM