Pick Ups: Judo Masterclass Book by Robert Van De Walle (1st Edition) (Preowned)

This is the first formal study of pick-ups in judo ever made - and therefore is a milestone in judo literature. This may appear strange because many of the throws in this book have formal Japanese names and a long-standing tradition in judo.

Yet the truth is that despite this history, few of these attacks have been regarded as classical techniques to compare with seoi-nage or uchimata.

The traditional view is that while throws such as morote-gari and even sukui-nage are seen regularly in competition at all levels, they have been seen as an adjunct to the main body of judo techniques - barely-tolerated imports from other combat systems such as wrestling or the Russian sambo.

However, the last thirty years - since judo became an Olympic sport - certain outstanding exponents have demonstrated that pick-ups are truly effective tools in the hands of a skilled competitor. They have been developed into genuine techniques, with a wide range of variations, gripping possibilities, combinations and counters.

Few champions are more qualified to undertake this first account of Pick-Ups than Robert van de Walle, the Belgian light-heavy weight who has become almost a legend in his own time. He had an extraordinary contest career, winning the Olympic titie in 1980, numerous other medals and titles throughout the decade, and a bronze medal at the World Championships in 1991 though he was in his mid-thirties.

Though he used a wide range of judo techniques, he was known for his morote-gari and sukui-nage. As Pick-Ups shows, van de Walle developed his own style of morote-gari which elevated what was often seen as a crude rugby tackle into a complex technique with its own subtleties. His premise has always been that morote-gari and other pick-ups, when performed well, do not need excessive power; and he proved it by making them work not only within this own weight category, but against much heavier opponents in open-weight category events as well.

Now retired, he has put his experience into open forum, giving judoka of all ages tips that have never been seen in print before.

Softcover

Language: English