Sioux City Judo Club

SIOUX CITY JUDO CLUB

The Sioux City Judo Club is a registered club of USA Judo. USA Judo (United States Judo, Inc.) is the national governing body for Olympic Judo within the United States. In addition, our club is a member club of Iowa Judo, Inc., the governing body of Judo in the state of Iowa.

We teach competition-style Judo for sport, recreation, physical fitness and as an outstanding form of self defense. As a part of the study of Judo, participants learn to fall safely, an important life skill for all people.

OUR MISSION: To positively impact the lives of our students through the practice of the Olympic sport of Judo.

OUR GOALS

To improve our community by offering moral leadership to our students.
To bring people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds together.
To sustain Judo in the Siouxland community.

Eight Reasons Why Judo is Perfect for Everyone!

1. Outstanding for self-defense

2. Teaches self-confidence and discipline

3. Emphasizesindividual achievement

4. Gender equity

5. Exercise for mind and body

6. Competition opportunities for everyone at all levels

7. AFUN year round activity for the entire family

8. It is about control not brute force

About Kodokan Judo

Judo was developed by Dr. Jigoro Kano in 1882. Kano was a frail boy who was often bullied as a child. His parents forbade him to study jujitsu (unarmed combat) and it wasn’t until he went away to college that he was able to do so. Even then, he was unable to find anyone who would teach a skinny young man who barely weighed a hundred pounds.

Eventually Kano set out to organize a systematic and safe system for teaching his own style of jujitsu, which he called Kodokan Judo. Dr. Kano shifted the focus from the practice of fighting to a study of the principles that made techniques practical and efficient. He called his style Judo. [Ju means “gentle” or “to give way.” Do means “Way” or “principle.”] Kano’s school, the Kodokan, literally translated, means “a school for studying the Way” with, “the Way being the concept of life itself” (Kano p.11).

The main difference between Judo and other forms of jujitsu was the way they were practiced. Jujitsu practitioners often avoided the full application of techniques due to their potential for permanent injury or death. Kano developed a method for teaching safe falling and modified the more dangerous techniques. In addition, he instituted randori (free practice), which allowed for the safe practice of actual techniques. Judo was the first martial art to use a ranking system with belt colors.

Judo is best known for its dynamic high-altitude throws and includes a complete grappling system that incorporates turnovers, pins and submission techniques. Because Judo emphasizes safety, age guidelines restrict the use of chokes and arm bars by children. Judo is an Olympic sport for men and women. It also has obvious self defense applications. From modest beginnings, Judo has grown into a major world sport. Judo is second only to soccer in the number of participants world-wide. Judo stresses both competence in technique and a respectful attitude. This combination of respect and ability is, unfortunately, unique in many sports today. This makes Judo beneficial to both the individual and the community.

Seiryoku Zen Yo, or, Maximum Efficiency, Minimum Effort

Dr. Kano found that using the least effort possible determines efficiency, as exemplified by his idea of nonresistance:

Suppose we estimate the strength of a man is ten units, whereas my strength, less than his, is seven units. Then if he pushes me down with all his force, I shall certainly be pushed back or thrown down, even if I use all my strength against him. But if, instead of opposing him, I leave him unresisted, withdrawing my body just as much as he pushes, at the same time keeping my balance, he will naturally lean forward and lose his balance. (Kano p.8)

Randori was important to Kano because he believed that that “learning” Judo depended on students and teachers learning from each other in a dynamic setting.

Jita Kyoei, or, Mutual Welfare and Benefit

Our second governing principle dictates considerate behavior at the dojoand in daily life. If you treatyour partner rudely or injure them, you will quickly find no willing partners. In order to develop your own potential, you must practice with people, not on them. Judo is a metaphor for understanding appropriate interactions with others in daily life.

INSTRUCTORS

Karen Mackey, Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt)

Ms. Mackey is the highest ranked judo instructor in the Siouxland area. She is also the only Continental Level Judo Coach in the area. Ms. Mackey began studying judo nearly 40 years ago at the American Judo Club under Frankie Williams, a well-known local instructor. She was his first student to earn a black belt and his most successful competitor. When her sensei retired in 1984, Mackey formed the Sioux City Judo Club. Later, Williams Sensei came out of retirement and the two clubs worked together to develop Judo in the Siouxland area.

Mackey competed for nearly two decades, placing in numerous national and international competitions. Ms. Mackey serves on several national level committees for USA Judo and the United States Judo Federation. In 1995, she was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1996, Ms. Mackey was awarded the USJF President's Award. In 2008, Mackey was named a Woman of Excellence by Women Aware.

Mackey Sensei’s mother, Louise, was a 4th degree black belt and was an active volunteer for USA Judo and USJF. Her father, John Sr., was a 1st degree black belt and studied jujitsu in Japan as a young man. Her brother, John Jr., competed nationally as a child.

Caterina Saltzman, Shodan (First Degree Black Belt)

Ms. Saltzman started Judo at age six under Mackey Sensei at Girls Inc. She received her black belt at age 16. Saltzman competed nationally as a teenager placing second in the AAU Junior Olympics in 1995 and first in the USJF Junior Nationals in 1997.

Ms. Saltzman graduated from WestHigh School, where she participated in basketball and softball in addition to competing in and coaching Judo. She received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Wayne State College. While in college, Saltzman competed in rugby. Saltzman is employed by DakotaCounty (Nebraska) and works in the criminal justice field.

Ryan Allen, Shodan (First Degree Black Belt)

Mr. Allenbegan his Judo journey when he was eight at the Wakaishu Judo Club in Louisville, Kentucky under the instruction of Sensei’s Erroyl Cheatham and Sharon Vance.

A former Kentucky state champion, Mr. Allen took a fifteen year break from actively participating in the sport while attending college and beginning his teaching career. After moving to Sioux City in late 2009, Mr. Allen was convinced by his older brother, Jason Allen, a Nidan (Second Degree Black Belt) and former national level competitor, to return to Judo.
In 2010, Mr. Allen joined the Sioux City Judo Club and resumed his life as a judoka. Mr. Allen is an Assistant Professor of English and Writing at BriarCliffUniversity and the Director of BCU’s WritingCenter. He was promoted to Shodan in July, 2011

Judo Club Rules

Be on time for class. You will be expected to help lay mats. If your schedule will not allow you to be on time, please let Sensei know. If you are late to class, please stand by the mat edge until Sensei allows you to enter class.

Judo is a contact sport so personal hygiene and modesty are very important.
Come to class with your finger and toe nails trimmed and a clean body.
Long hair must be tied back.
Keep your uniform clean and in good repair.
Females must wear a t-shirt under their jacket.
Do not eat, drink or chew gum on the mat area.

Safety is of utmost importance.
Do not wear any hard or metallic objects in class.
Sit in either the seiza or cross-legged position facing the workout area.
The safety of your partner is your number one concern. Inform Sensei if one of you is injured.
It is discourteous and unsafe to turn your back on your partner. Always face your partner even when adjusting your gi, except if modesty dictates doing so.
Excessive noise or horseplay are distractions and can lead to injury.

We bow to show our gratitude and mutual respect. Bow when entering and leaving the dojo; stepping on and off the mat; before and after working out/fighting; receiving an award or asking permission to leave the mat.

Financial issues
Students must maintain a current membership with USA Judo.(
Students are to pay their monthly dues at the first practice session of each month. If this is a problem, please speak to Mackey Sensei.
Students are encouraged to participate in competitions as approved by Mackey Sensei. Competition helps determine your progress and identify weaknesses.
Be respectful to your teachers and fellow Judo students.
Profanity will not be tolerated.
Black belts are to be addressed as Sensei, sir, madam, Mr. or Ms. Never address a black belt by their first name without their expressed permission.
Never bring dishonor to yourself, your club, your teachers or your family.
Except in an emergency, do not leave the mat area without permission.

Never use Judo outside of class or a tournament except in the defense of yourself or another. Immediately report any use of Judo in such settings to Sensei. You may not teach Judo without the expressed permission of Mackey Sensei.

Rank Promotion

Rank testings are held during the last week of each month. Students who meet all rank requirements are eligible to test and will be asked to demonstrate the techniques for one rank higher than the rank they are actually testing for. All minors (even those being promoted to senior rank) must earn their parent/guardian’s permission to be able to test.

No testing fees are required for rank below black belt.

Pee Wee Ranks (Ages 4-6)

Pee Wee ranks are geared towards the special needs of young children. They are designed to encourage the child to learn basic concepts while offering the incentive of regular promotions. If a child earns their Brown Stripe before their seventh birthday, they can test for promotion to Yellow Belt after meeting the time-in-grade requirements, regardless of their age. If they turn seven before they earn their Brown Stripe, they can test for promotion to Junior Yellow Belt once they meet the time-in-grade requirements.

Junior Ranks (Ages 7-16)

Although unusual, the instructor may, at his/her discretion, skip one or more ranks when promoting students of unusual ability and dedication. At the instructor’s discretion, juniors ages 14-16 may be promoted as seniors.

RankMinimum Minimum Conversion

Age Time-in-Grade at Age 17

Yellow 62 monthsN/A

Yellow/Black Tip 62 monthsN/A

Orange 72 monthsGokyu

Orange/Black Tip 72 monthsGokyu

Green 83 monthsYonkyu

Green/Black Tip 83 monthsYonkyu

Blue 93 monthsSankyu

Blue/Black Tip 103 monthsSankyu

Purple 114 monthsNikyu

Purple/Black Tip 124 monthsNikyu

Brown 134 monthsIkkyu

Brown/Black Tip 144 monthsIkkyu

Senior Kyu Ranks (Ages17 and up)

RankColor BeltMinimum Time-in-Grade

GokyuOrange2 months

YonkyuGreen3 months

SankyuBrown6 months

NikyuBrown6 months

IkkyuBrown6 months

What Do The Other Stripes Mean?

Coup Stripe [white stripe on a colored belt or black stripe on a white belt]—A student is awarded one stripe for each tournament they have competed in since their last testing. This comes from the practice among many Native American nations of awarding warriors eagle feathers for bravery—the bravest act being touching your enemy with your bare hands.

Red Stripe—Junior has earned their parent’s permission to test for their next rank.

Camouflage Stripe—This stripe recognizes a student’s hard work. It is awarded at the instructor’s discretion.

Pee Wee Rank Requirements

White Belt with a Yellow Stripe