Keeping Judoka Engaged Between Classes
“Teaching on the mat is enough to keep judoka interested.”
But is it?
You’ve been there. A kid nails a technique in class. They’re excited, motivated, ready to learn more. Then they go home. And by next week, they’ve forgotten half of what they learned.
The reality: while in-class teaching is vital, judoka need support outside the dojo to reinforce learning.
Visual aids, take-home certificates, and interactive resources help kids remember techniques and stay motivated between sessions.
It’s time to consider “off the mat” as well as “on the mat” when you are looking to engage kids, reduce drop-off rates and improve retention.
This is part 2 of a 3 part-mini series, written by Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan tackling the problem of retention in dojos.
Part 1: Why Retention Beats Recruitment – and the Numbers to Prove it.
Part 2: The Forgetting Curve and Why it Matters in the Dojo.
Part 3: A Progression System for Kids’ Judo – Making Progress Visible
The Forgetting Curve (And Why It Matters)
We forget up to 50% of new information within an hour, around 70% within 24 hours, and retain only about 25% by the end of the week. (Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve)
That means the throw a child learned on Monday? By next Monday, they’ve lost most of it.
Unless.
Unless they have something to remind them. Something visual. Something they can hold, look at, show their parents. Something that bridges the gap between “I learned this” and “I remember this.”
Five Coaches, Five Wins
Download the Koka Kids free case study first: Five Coaches, Five Wins – real stories of how coaches improved retention in their dojos.
What Thriving Dojos Do Differently
The clubs that keep judo kids engaged between classes don’t just teach better. They extend the learning beyond the mat.
1. They provide take-home materials
Worksheets, technique guides, certificates – physical reminders of what was learned. Kids take them home, put them on the fridge, show them to friends. The learning continues.
2. They make progress visible at home
Posters, skill trackers and task sheets, achievement certificates displayed in bedrooms. Parents see them. Kids see them every day. The progress becomes part of their environment.
3. They engage multiple learning styles
Some kids learn by doing (kinesthetic). Some by watching (visual). Some by reading (auditory). Take-home materials and online interactive materials let kids engage with judo in the way that works best for them.
4. They involve parents in the journey
When kids bring home certificates, worksheets, or progress charts, parents see the value. They understand what their child is learning. They push towards a continuation of judo.
Real Results: How One Coach Engages 300 Kids
Sensei Stas Trener runs a judo school with 300 juniors. His challenge? Keeping all of them engaged and motivated.
His solution: achievement certificates.
“Children have become much more interested in learning!” Stas told me. “They can see their progress. They have something to take home and show their parents. Every class they are asking about technical points.”
The certificates aren’t just pieces of paper. They’re:
- Visual proof of progress
- Conversation starters with parents
- Motivation to keep training
- Reminders of what was learned
And it works. Kids who might forget a technique by next week have a physical reminder. Parents who might not understand what happens in class see tangible evidence of learning.
Multi-Modal Learning
Sensei Natasha Wolf puts it perfectly:
“By having the worksheets available, we are able to engage the kids in another approach to learning. Kids learn through various modalities – having ways to engage kids in multiple ways is key. This allows us to engage all learners and learning styles, whether they learn best through visual, auditory, or kinesthetic approaches.”
This is the secret. Not every kid learns the same way. Some need to see it. Some need to hear it. Some need to do it. Some need to read about it.
When you only teach on the mat, you miss the kids who need other modalities. When you provide take-home materials, you catch everyone.
How to Start Building Your Own System
This week: Give every kid one take-home item. A technique checklist. A certificate of attendance. A colouring sheet with judo terms.
This month: Print out one technique and create progress tracker sheets that kids can take home. Put it on the fridge. Let parents see the journey.
This term: Build a library of take-home resources. Worksheets for different techniques. Certificates for different achievements. Materials that extend learning beyond the dojo.
Or – and this is the easier path – use ready-made resources designed by someone who’s already done the work. 🙂
Or How to Start Without Creating Everything From Scratch
The Complete Off-Mat Engagement Toolkit
You don’t need to design worksheets and certificates from scratch.
If you’d like ready-made take-home materials that engage kids between classes, I’ve put together a complete resource toolkit.
It includes:
- Achievement certificates for many different wins (ie. effort, attendance, technique mastery)
- Technique worksheets kids can complete at home
- Japanese terminology activity sheets (colouring, challenges, quizzes)
- Moral code materials (posters, stickers, worksheets for character development)
- Progress trackers kids can display at home
- Customisable flyers to promote your club to parents
Everything is instantly downloadable, ready to print, and designed specifically for kids’ judo but also works I’m reliably told with adults
£29.99/month or £150/year
Judo Kids Engagement
Teaching on the mat is essential. But it’s not enough.
Kids need reminders. They need multiple ways to engage. They need to take judo home with them.
When you extend learning beyond the dojo, you:
- Reinforce techniques between classes
- Engage different learning styles
- Involve parents in the journey
- Make progress visible
- Keep kids motivated
What could you do this week?
Learn more about how Koka Kids can help you engage progress and retain judoka →
Or download my free case study first: Five Coaches, Five Wins – real stories of how coaches improved retention in their dojos.
Nik Fairbrother is an 8th Dan judoka, Olympic silver medalist, and world champion. She created Koka Kids Resource to support coaches as they teach judo.
