Welcome

We at Southwestern Pennsylvania Judo would like to foster a safe and supportive environment for all of our members and welcome anyone who would like to learn and practice judo. Judo offers an activity in which you can practice throughout your life. If you have never participated in sports, or if it has been awhile, judo offers a great way to be active not only physically but also mentally and socially. We do not require our students to enter Judo Shiai (competitions). But we highly recommend that our students assist as officials and/or enter as competitors in local and regional shiai to gain knowledge & test their judo skills.

Judo is a sport and activity for all and can be adapted to accommodate all ages and disabilities. Many judoka with physical disabilities compete directly against able-bodied judoka in local and regional tournaments with slight modifications of the rules to ensure a fair contest. Judo has been a sport in the paralympics since 1988.

Wrestlers (past & present) and those who have studied other martial arts are welcome.
Judo employs primarily Nage-waza (throwing techniques) and Katame-waza (ground/mat techniques) utilizing many of the same skills and techniques found in Wrestling, Aikido, Jujitsu and other martial arts and sports. Atemi-waza (striking techniques) are only utilized in the Katas. Competitive or Sport Judo also has restrictions on the types of chokes and joint locks that may be employed in order to minimize the potential for serious injury.

Facilities

SWPA Judo has a mat area of 627sf. The permanent "spring" flooring system is covered with DAX tatami mats to maximize force absorption while maintaining a fast responsive surface.

Instructors

Pamela and Robert Russell

Definitions for "CHILDREN"

• Fee Schedule, those between the ages of 5 and 17 years old are considered Children. Adults are considered to be ages 18 and up.
• Class Schedule, Children are between the ages of 5 and 12. Adults start at age 13. This is because at 13 years old, students begin to learn choking techniques (Shime-waza). At 16 years old, students begin to learn joint locking techniques (kansetsu-waza). Also at about the age of 13, a growth spurt usually takes place making it easier to work out with adults.
• Ranking System, is divided between Jr's and Sr's. With Junior ages between 5 and 15. Seniors begin at age 16.

What is With the Blue Gi??

The traditional Judo gi is white or off white with little to no adornment. The blue gi was introduced in the late 1990's by the International Judo Federation (IJF) and has since been adopted by most national Judo organizations. Blue gis are meant to enable the referees and spectators to better distinguish between players. Blue gis are required only in national and international shiai (fighting) competitions. At smaller tournaments a WHITE GI IS REQUIRED. Opponents wear white and blue or red belts to distinguish between players. Blue gis are never worn in kata competition. Some very traditional Judo clubs do not allow blue gis to be worn at all, not even during informal practices. So, you do not have to have more than one white Judo gi unless you are competing at the national or international level.

At SWPA Judo, you may wear either a white or blue gi.You can not mix the colors (ex: white top with blue bottoms). No other colors are allowed. If you come to practice with a black "judo gi", you will be asked to change your gi to either white or blue.

Southwestern Pennsylvania Judo
202 East George Street
Carmichaels, PA 15320
724-966-5723
www.swpajudo.com

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