Irish Judo Association Shamrock and Mon Grading Syllabus
The Irish Judo Mon Grading Syllabus & Shamrock Syllabus is covered fully in this book made especially for members of the Irish Judo Association, and which we hope will be a great resource to young judoka on their journey through the grades.
This book is available online and also as a paperback version available to purchase at Amazon
From 1st Shamrock (red belt) to 12th Mon (brown belt)
- Inside the book you will find all the techniques to progress from 1st Shamrock/2nd Mon (red belt) through to 12th Mon (brown belt) along with terminology.
- Techniques are easy to follow. Step by step guides help young judoka learn the throws and hold downs and their Japanese names.
- Judoka can choose from a list of Fundamental and Performance Skills to further develop their agility, coordination and technical skills
- The book contains progress pages, where the judoka can tick off the techniques as they learn them
- There is also a Grading Record page to be signed and dated by the examiner as each Mon Grade is achieved.
Fill out the progress charts as you learn each requirement towards your next judo belt
We recommend you buy a paperback copy, where you can fill out the progress charts that you will find at the end of each Mon Grade. For example for the Irish Judo Association, 5th Mon (yellow/orange) you need to know the following:
- Ukemi: Full Set
- Tachi-waza: Kosoto-Gari, Kouchi Gari, Tai-O-Toshi
- Newaza: Kuzure Kami Shiho Gatame, Kami Shiho Gatame
- Fundamental Skills: Choose six skills (from the section at the back)
- Performance Skills: Demonstrate any combination, any counter, any turnover into a hold and the ability to escape from holds
- Free Practice: Throw for throw
- Terminology: Know the meaning of the Japanese words: Randori, Shiai and Uchikomi
In the book, at the end of each Mon Section you will find a tick chart. Judoka or the Coach can tick off this page once the skill is learnt.
Buy the book on amazon here.
Koka Kids judo books are for kids who love judo – see the full collection here.
A message from Irish Judo Association President, Sean Fleming about this book.
“This excellent book is a special edition of the Koka Kids series, specifically produced for the Irish Judo Association. I wish to thank all those involved in its production, especially Nicola Fairbrother and her team.
The syllabus is designed to provide a solid foundation for future development and is based on fundamental movements, and judo related skills that help to promote, agility, balance and co-ordination.
The book covers the grading system for Shamrock and Mon grades and will be a great resource to you, our young judoka, in your journey through the grades.
I trust you enjoy this book.”
Judo Grading Principles
Judo was created by Jigoro Kano as an education system designed to sharpen our bodies and our minds and to assist us develop discipline and learn respect for each other. Ultimately the goal of judo is to help us all to become better people who contribute positively to our communities and to the world around us.
Grades are one method, through which we can measure our progress in judo. The three main areas we look at when grading in judo are:
- The “Tai” (the body) – represents the progress you make physically and your ability to perform techniques with a partner in the club and, as we get older, in competition.
- The “Ghi” (the survey, work) – represents your knowledge about different techniques; what they are called, why and how they work and how to keep each other safe.
- The “Shin” (the mind) – represents how you behave, how you treat others and your general attitude and approach to judo.
In Ireland, our Grading System makes reference to the “Tai”, the “Ghi” and the “Shin” in all of our grading pathways and you will find sections at each grade on the Shamrock and Mon Grading Systems which help you develop skills and knowledge in each of these areas.
Core Technical Grading Pathway for members of the Irish Judo Association
All judoka will begin their judo careers following the Core Technical Grading Pathway. The Core Technical Grading Pathway is subdivided into three separate but interconnected technical syllabus based on the age of the judoka.
As players transition through different age bands, their grade transitions into the next grading system with an appropriate level of equivalence.
Irish Judo Shamrock Grading System
The Shamrock System is an optional grading system that can be used for children between the ages of 4 and 7 years of age. It provides a staged progression from white belt to the equivalent grade of second Mon.
The syllabus is designed to provide a solid foundation for future development and is based on fundamental movements, and judo related skills that help to promote, agility, balance and co-ordination. The recommended techniques have been selected as they are age appropriate for the active start and fundamentals age group.
The Shamrock system Syllabus is the same as the 2nd Mon Grading criteria and so may be used interchangeably with 2nd Mon as a foundational grading system by coaches for children up to the age of 13 if desired.
Irish Judo Mon Grades
The 12 Mon Grading System is used for children between the ages of 7 and 13 years of age. It provides a staged progression from white belt (1st Mon) to junior brown belt (12th Mon).
The syllabus is designed to provide a solid foundation for future development and is based on fundamental movements, and judo related skills that help to promote, agility, balance and co-ordination.
The technical progression is focused on age appropriate skills and techniques that readily map to the senior Kyu Grade syllabus.
