Kids Judo Books by Koka Kids
Judo Books by Koka Kids

Judo Blog

Book of the Month: Learn Groundwork and Master 20 Turnovers

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The Koka Kids Judo Book of the Month for September was “Learn Groundwork and Master 20 Turnovers”

4.7 out of 5 with 78 reviews

“A really clever book. Brilliant for children and young adults of all abilities to help aid their learning and skills. Great to be able to take away from the club and revise at home.”

“Definitely worth a buy to have this, whether you’re new to judo, are just want to re instate some classic turnovers. Its set out nicely, with step by step illustrations, you won’t be disappointed.”

“I have been using the materials and the books with my adult Judo students as well. An invaluable resource for my teaching.”

See all the book’s reviews on amazon

Judo groundwork books

 

What’s this book about?

Groundwork judo is fun and an easy way to score a judo ippon! But many kids get stuck at the first hurdle of not knowing how to turn their partner over. With 20 fully illustrated turnovers to learn, this book will make sure you never have that problem again. This book show step by step how to do turnovers from simple “Pull-Through” or “Shoulder Roll” to more complicated “Scissors” and “Lateral Rolls.”

How it will help your judo

  • You’ll learn 20 groundwork judo turnovers meaning you will have a huge arsenal of attacks to use when you find yourself in any newaza situation
  • You’ll be able to break through common defences (all fours, flat on stomach, from underneath etc). You’ll know what to do, and how to turn your partner over.

 

For more Koka Kids Books – see Choose Your Book

Newaza techniques also feature regularly in Koka Kids Coaching Resources – sign up to get printable technique cards and certificates sent to your email inbox once a week.

Judo Transition from Standing to Groundwork: Seizing the Moment

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By Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan, Koka Kids editor.

Ever notice how the best judo transition from standing to groundwork happens in the blink of an eye? That split-second window is pure gold – if you’re ready for it!

You attack, your opponent falls to the mat, and there’s this tiny opportunity before they close down and defend. Miss it, and you’re back to square one. Catch it, and you’re on your way to victory!

 

Preparing for the Standing to Groundwork Transition

It’s about being prepared for it. You can prepare yourself physically by repeating uchikomi so you get good at getting your hands in, so you instinctively move quickly into the right position. And you can prepare yourself mentally, by always being ready for groundwork.

 

This Month’s Focus: The Lapel Roll

This month, we’re working on a perfect transition turnover –  the Lapel Roll. 

This week, I’m breaking down three different situations where you can apply this technique. The first one (which we’ll look at below) comes from when you block your opponent’s Harai-Goshi. 

Try it in randori: Your training partners won’t know what hit them! 🥋

 

Mastering the Standing to Groundwork Transition From a Failed Harai-Goshi

When your opponent attempts a forward throw like harai-goshi, o-guruma or uchi-mata, and you manage to tai-sabaki it strongly enough so they fall forwards onto their knees you’ve got a perfect opportunity for a transition. Here’s how to make the most of it:

  1. Master the tai-sabaki: Make sure your block with your hips is strong enough to send your partner forward onto their knees. This creates your opening for the standing to groundwork transition!

  2. Work on that speed: Practice getting your feet hooked in and hands on the collars lightning-fast. Think uchikomi-style repetitions until it becomes second nature.

  3. Put it all together: Once those foundations are solid, practice the complete Lapel Roll movement until it flows naturally from standing to the ground.

 

Judo Resources to teach newaza judo

Want to Perfect Your Judo Transitions?

This is just a taste of what we’re covering this month! For a deeper dive into all three Lapel Roll situations, head over to Koka Kids Judo where there is also a dojo poster and worksheet and animation of the Lapel Roll.

Get the Newaza Resource Bundle30 high resolution files to print and use to teach ten turnovers.

 

 

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Certificates for Mastering O-Goshi: The Hip Throw

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By Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan, Koka Kids editor.

Patchway Judoka learnt O-Goshi this week and at the end of the session Sensei Alison Finn handed out the Koka Kids O-Goshi certificates to smiling faces. 

O-goshi, which translates to “major hip throw,” is one a great technique for beginners and intermediates. 

For yellow belts working toward their orange belt, mastering O-goshi is a requirement on the British Judo Grading Syllabus. To grade up to 7th Mon (orange) or progress from 5th Kyu (yellow) to 4th Kyu (orange), judoka must show they can do this Tachi-waza (standing technique).

 

Koka Kids O-Goshi Resources

If you’d like to use the Koka Kids Certificates to teach judo techniques at your dojo, sign up for our weekly resources that help judo coaches teach judo and promote their dojo.

 

 

4Skills: A Progressive Approach to Mastering Judo Throws

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By Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan, Koka Kids editor.

Explore the  Koka Kids Judo Resources

Find out about 4Skills, and more resources on the Koka Kids Judo Coaching Resources. All content is included in a paid subscription.

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Koka Kids Success Story in the Netherlands: 20 Kanteltechnieken Pre Orders Now Open

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Pre Orders for Grondwerk

By Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan, Koka Kids editor.

I’m delighted to share some exciting news from the Netherlands today! After the tremendous success of our “40 Throws” book in Dutch, our wonderful translator and publisher Sandra Bax of Judotraining.nl is now bringing a second Koka Kids title to Dutch-speaking judoka.

Dutch Judo Coaches: Pre-orders are open now with wholesale rates

Sandra has opened pre-orders for copies of the book “20 Groundwork Turnovers” (20 Kanteltechnieken), making this valuable resource accessible to judo clubs throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Groundwork judo is such a crucial skill area, but many young judoka get stuck at the first hurdle because they simply don’t know how to turn their partner over. This book directly addresses that challenge with clear, step-by-step illustrations of 20 different turning techniques.

What makes me particularly happy is seeing how Sandra has embraced the Koka Kids philosophy of making high-quality judo education accessible to clubs. The book is available at a special club price of just €5.50 per copy (with a minimum order of 20 books), compared to the individual retail price of €14.99.

For clubs in the Netherlands, ordering couldn’t be easier – simply visit the Judotraining.nl website and order copies through this page. Belgian clubs or those wanting custom quantities can contact Sandra directly at sandra@judotraining.nl.

Pre-orders are open now, with delivery expected in November 2025. I’m incredibly grateful to Sandra for her dedication to bringing these resources to Dutch-speaking judoka and helping to grow our judo community internationally!

 

Judo books in Dutch

Building Strong Foundations: Learning the Complete Gokyo

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judo throws and techniques

By Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan, Koka Kids editor.

I’m a great believer of learning as many judo techniques as you can, especially when you are younger.

It’s how my Sensei Don Werner taught us all at Pinewood. Each session, we would cycle through all the main waza in The Gokyo – seoi-nage, tai-otoshi, o-uchi-gari, ko-uchi-gari, uchi-mata, okuri-ashi-barai, osoto-gari, sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi… the list goes on.

The beauty of Don’s approach was in its repetition. We’d spend just a couple of minutes on each waza – enough to ingrain the movement. This constant rotation through the techniques, every session, created muscle memory that stayed with me for decades. It wasn’t about mastering everything at once; it was about planting seeds that would grow over time.

If you’re interested in exploring more judo techniques yourself, head over to Judo Throws – a completely free resource created for the judo community where you can see all 40 throws of the Gokyo no waza.

For more about Don Werner >> go here

Learning the complete Gokyo is about building strong foundations. Read more