Judo Video and DVD Reviews
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Name Source Comments
101 Judo Ippons Hatashita
Kodokan Gear
Fighting Films
Everyone can learn from watching the best in the world perform under high-level tournament conditions. Condensed into just the full-point scores of modern tournaments, this video includes chokes, armbars, pins and throws. Highly recommended. The best video to show your friends who have never seen the excitement of Judo before. Two editions are available.
Advanced Judo Newaza Hatashita
Kodokan Gear
Fighting Films
This is another highly recommended video for those competitors and coaches who want to learn the latest competition mat techniques. The program starts with juji-gatame, executed by using the various turns and finishings. The second section deals with special osaekomi techniques. Next is an extended section on sangaku, the triangular strangle done with the legs. Finally, the program reveals some of the choking techniques used in modern competition today.
Advanced Judo Tachi-waza Hatashita
Kodokan Gear
Fighting Films
Also highly recommended, this video starts with the basic version of a particular throwing technique, followed by the different variations. It includes multiple camera angles and slow motion replays. It is a good video for all levels of judoka.
Amazon.com Videos Judo DVD
VHS Videotape
See the entire selection of Amazon.com videos or DVD's on Judo.
Beginning Jujitsu Amazon.com This tape shows a variety of hand to hand combat self defense techniques and concepts which are combining various elements from jujitsu, judo, aikido, arnis, and karate. More information.
BJJ 201 Part One Judo-BJJ-DVD.com Here is a fine DVD that introduces the viewer to intermediate Brazilian Jiujitsu. It uses excellent demonstrations by Roy Harris to make key points about the differences between beginning and intermediate level skills -- timing, combinations, positioning, theory, and counters are all covered. It includes a review of beginning techniques and then adds intermediate skills to them, along with training methods to focus on. There is more training advice and theory than actual techniques, but the advice is right on target and very valuable for anyone at a beginning level of grappling. I assume that Part two covers more techniques.
Core Throwing Techniques of Kodokan Judo
Volume 1
Amazon.com This series provides a thorough explanation of each throw of the gokyo-no-waza, including principles, defenses and combinations. Each volume covers 8 throws, or one set of the gokyo. This volume includes all the throwing techniques of the Dai Ikkyo: Deashi Harai, Hiza Guruma, Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi, Uki Goshi, O Soto Gari, Ogoshi, Ouchi Gari, and Seoi Nage. The demonstrations by Steve Cunningham are technically accurate and complete, with excellent video and sound. This tape gives a beginner everything they need to know to learn the basic techniques, and they make a good reference for a more experienced judoka. More information.
Core Throwing Techniques of Kodokan Judo
Volume 2
Amazon.com A thorough explanation and demonstration of the gokyo-no-waza, including history, principles, defenses, and combinations for each technique. This volume includes Ko Soto Gari, Ko Uchi Gari, Koshi Guruma, Tsuri Komi Goshi, Okuri Ashi Harai, Tai Otoshi, Harai Goshi, Uchi Mata. The demonstrations by Steve Cunningham are technically accurate and complete, with excellent production quality. This tape begins to explain the organization of the gokyo, and the progression of techniques from the simple throws in the first volume to more advanced throws. Highly recommended for all levels. More information.
Early American Judo and Jujitsu Amazon.com This video was filmed mostly in and around 1948 and is a complete 45 lesson in Judo that features Martial Arts pioneer Bruce Tegner. Also in this tape is an assortment of very rare photos and footage of Master Kenji Tomiki and American martial arts icon Mel Bruno. More information.
Goshin-Jutsu Hatashita
Kodokan
A fine demonstration of the modern self defense techniques of Kodokan Judo, including defenses to gun and knife attacks. All the Kodokan videos are professionally produced and this is no exception.
Grip Like a World Champion Hatashita Sports This is a very well done guide and DVD set. In a way, it seemed to be a pretty simple method and the lessons provide just the basics. Often the basics are what prove to be the most effective, and making something as complex as gripping into a simple skillset is quite a difficult task that only an expert can do. The system that Jimmy Pedro and Todd Brehe provide can be used in any situation, and it can be used to answer almost any question about gripping. The system has proven to be effective, and anyone interested in applying their techniques in randori or shiai would benefit from learning how to get the control you need to maximize your effectiveness. You can only gain real skill through practice, but I believe that anyone can benefit from the training methods suggested in this program if they apply them.
History of Judo Amazon.com Released in 2001, this English version of a French TV show includes excellent historical footage as well as competition film of early international judo matches. the video focuses mostly on the development of competitive judo but includes film of Kano, Mifune and others. More information.
Japanese Judo Masters Amazon.com Released in April 2000, this 47 minute video features many of Japan’s Judo masters including Daigo Sensei, now 10th dan, who is one of the top instructors at the Kodokan and technical advisor for this video. More information.
Jimmy Pedro: Fury on the Mat Jimmy Pedro Jimmy Pedro distinguished himself as a World Champion and a double Olympic Bronze Medalist who dominated international competition for many years -- but not without a struggle, sacrifice, and some hard choices. This DVD presents a compelling story of what it takes to train and compete for nearly 3 decades beginning with his string of 10 national junior championships, through 6 senior national championships, to 27 international championships and 4 Olympic Games. Very motivational and an excellent insight into the world of high level competitive judo.
Judo's Kano Amazon.com Volume 4 of the Masters Martial Arts Collection. More information.
Judo Judo-BJJ-DVD.com This 3 volume set by Marc Verillotte includes one DVD with a detailed description of selected basic techniques, one with competition skills, and one focused on combinations. Although the English translation from French is not very good, the content is excellent. The quality of both the production and the technique demonstrations are also very good. A lot of valuable material is covered in the three DVD's and the price is reasonable.
Ju-no-Kata Hatashita
Kodokan
An excellent video of the forms of gentleness.
Katame-no-Kata Hatashita
Kodokan
Another video with an excellent demonstration and explanation of the forms of grappling on the ground.
Kime-no-Kata Hatashita
Kodokan
An excellent video of the ancient forms of self-defense from kneeling and standing.
Kodokan Judo Amazon.com Rated 5 stars, it includes video of Jigoro Kano demonstrating techniques. More information.
Kodokan Judo With Master Technician Kyuzo Mifune Amazon.com This is part of a three volume set. This rare video footage contains master technician, Kyuzo Mifune, who for many years was a permanent member of the Kodokan Consultative Group and who received his 10th dan in 1945. More information.
Koshen (Kosen) Judo Amazon.com In the 1980's the Budokan of Japan produced a series of video tapes on all major Japanese martial arts. Kosen Judo (spelled Koshen on the tapes) was one of them. There were 4 tapes produced, 25 minutes each, and the price was Yen 10,000 each. Good news -- you can now buy them on 2 DVD's. Many of the greatest mat masters are on it demonstrating their favorite moves on the ground. Kimura is one of them.
Koshiki-no-Kata Hatashita
Kodokan
Another fine Kodokan video with an excellent demonstration and explanation of the ancient forms of throwing.
Legendary Soft Judo
Jin Iizumi
SoftJudo.com Soft JudoThis set of three DVD's contains more than 6 hours of technique demonstrations including throws, chokes, armlocks, and pins with explanations, different camera angles, and slow motion. There are sections pointing out the differences between similar techniques, and there are many combinations and counters included. The DVD series provides an excellent reference for the beginning student, as well as plenty of material for more advanced students. You can easily see why Jin Iizumi is considered truly legendary.
Modern Competitive Judo Hatashita
Kodokan Gear
Fighting Films
Another excellent video from Fighting Films with World Champions Neil Adams and Karen Briggs showing the most successful techniques in Judo competition today including jujigatame, uchimata, yoko tomoenage, uranage, taiotoshi, and others. Well done and very clear. Highly recommended for competitive judoka and coaches.
Nage-no-Kata Hatashita
Kodokan
Another excellent video of the forms of throwing techniques.
Nagewaza Revised Hatashita
Kodokan
The premier reference for the basic throws of Kodokan Judo. It includes dynamic demonstrations of 68 throwing techniques with several variations of most. Every Judo student should have a copy.
Sambo: Combat Total Russe Judo-BJJ-DVD.com This is a set of two DVD's by Oleg Taktarov, UFC Champion. It includes English and French, although I couldn't get the English to work. The set includes a lot of knee and ankle locks that are not seen in judo, some arm locks, chokes and neck cranks, and a few basic pins and throws. It also includes some defense against strikes and other attacks. Much of it is not applicable to judo competition, but if you want to learn leg locks this would be a good DVD to get. It includes combinations, defenses, and escapes.
Sanshiro Sugata
(Judo Saga)
Amazon.com Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samurai, Ikiru), perhaps the best known of all Japanese directors, made his extraordinary debut with this thrilling martial arts film depicting the genesis of Judo in 1882. (subtitled) More information.
Winning in Judo Judo Action Films Produced in 2001 by 7th dan Harold Sharp, author of The Sport of Judo, this video analyzes successful competition throws with expert commentary, slow motion, freeze frame and video highlighting. This volume is the first in a series and is 45 minutes long covering shoulder throws (various seoinage and kataguruma).
Wrestling Essentials
Bottom Position
Amazon.com An excellent video from master wrestler Dan Gable. More information.
Wrestling Essentials
Standing Position
Amazon.com An excellent video from master wrestler Dan Gable. More information.
Wrestling Essentials
Top Position
Amazon.com An excellent video from master wrestler Dan Gable. More information.
Xtreme Judo HatashitaSports.com This new video by Steve Bell is available on DVD or videotape. It has 50 minutes of video in separate sections on kata guruma, sutemi waza, sode waza, seoinage, ashi waza, leg picks, turnovers, shime waza, kansetsu waza, and combinations. Each section explores a series of modern techniques with dynamic demonstrations, clear explanations, and exciting tournament footage. It has excellent production quality and over 50 techniques are shown.
Yudo: Korean Judo Amazon.com An instructional video released in September 2000 on the Korean style of Judo. More information.

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