Judo is one of those sports where if you insult something as small as a little finger, you can be out of action for quite a while. Therefore, it is essential that you take care of your physical body.
fingers
There are a few things you can do to avoid finger injuries when doing judo.
Take care of your fingers by:
– warming them up before practice
– keep your nails short
– do not interlock your fingers inside your opponent’s gi
– do finger strengthening exercises
– Record them in each session.
I bandage my fingers in every session, whether it’s with one of my clients, piercings, a technical session, or a Randori session. Personally, I ‘feel’ stronger when touched, and if something as simple as bandaged fingers makes me feel stronger when I fight, I’ll do it.
Mouthguard
Mouth guards are not very common in competitive judo unless you have braces. I always encourage my students to wear mouth guards because there are times when a deviated knee or elbow can crush teeth, resulting in some chipped teeth. In the end, a mouth guard costs $10, but broken teeth can cost thousands of dollars.
wear shin guards
There are times in judo when you or your opponent kick you with a poorly timed foot sweep. These attacks usually end with someone taking a pretty hard hit to the knee or shin. After a few training sessions, these repetitive blows can start to form large bruises on the shins. If this is a common occurrence or you, then I’d advise investing in some soft foam (not plastic) shin guards. These shin guards are comfortable and will prevent further bruising on the front of your shins.
wear headgear
Another fantastic piece of gear to buy is the helmet, also known as “cauli plugs”. These are great, especially if your ear is starting to get red and swollen and could result in cauliflower ear. Headgear is around $90, but it’s cheaper than paying a doctor multiple times to drain your swollen ear.
Some old fighters advised me to alert you before every training session. They believe that heating them up and increasing blood flow will prevent the blood from clotting and causing cauliflower ear.
wear a rash
Wearing a bodyboard rashie under your judogi reduces the number of cuts and abrasions you get on your chest and arms, as well as prevents the common gi burning sensation around the neck. If you train all the time, a rashie is the best $30 you can spend.
By wearing these various protective gear, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of judo for years to come.
