r/judo • u/SheikFlorian gokyu • May 06 '25

Other Why most dojos follow competition rules?

I completely understand why the competition rules exist the way they do.

I understand dojos focused on training athletes and honing talents following competition rules.

But, afaik, most dojos want to teach people The Way; the philosophy, the techniques, the lifestyle, etc.

Wouldn't it be natural that most dojos taught a more complete version com the art? With leg grabs and a slight bigger focus on newaza?

(Just to be clear: I don't want judô to be another BJJ, just that the dojos would teach us, commercial students, a less competitive focused version of the art)

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u/martial_arrow shodan May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25

I don't think I would characterize most dojos that way. At least in the US, it seems like most dojos are competition focused so of course they will follow the rules. A lot of the more recreational dojos focus on physical fitness so they don't really care about whether or not they can do leg grabs.

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u/SheikFlorian gokyu May 06 '25

Wow, had no idea. Here in Brazil most dojos do compete, for the experience and stuff, but competing isn't the main focus.

As far my experience goes of course.

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u/martial_arrow shodan May 06 '25

Yeah, unfortunately it is probably why Judo is dying in the US. I've seen too many people get burned out or injured from being pushed into competition.