PROGRAM
FREESTYLE JUDO
PROGRAM
FREESTYLE JUDO CLASSES ADULTS
JUDO CLASSES ADULTS
Adult Judo Hybrid Class (Ages 10+ yrs old)
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Eagles Community Center
Strictly speaking there is no other Judo than Kodokan Judo of Sensei Jigoro Kano and that is the curriculum at Coach Decker’s Martial Arts. Freestyle Judo is an approach to “shiai” (contest rules) developed by Sensei Steve Scott that we believe is more developmental and inclusive than other contest rules, so that is our approach in our Judo classes as well. Freestyle can also mean a state of mind where we try to be free of preconceived dogmas and open to Judo as an evolutionary, lifetime study; the goal being self-improvement.
ARIZONA FREESTYLE JUDO
From its beginning, Judo has been more than a sport. It is a complete martial art—one that has continually evolved by absorbing effective techniques and adapting to real-world application.
Historically, Judo has incorporated elements of wrestling, sambo, and jujutsu. However, over the past three decades, many of these techniques, particularly leg attacks and extended groundwork—were restricted or penalized in Olympic-style competition, often in the interest of spectator appeal. The result? A narrower rule set that moved away from Judo’s original breadth, while other grappling arts—especially Mixed Martial Arts—grew rapidly in popularity.
A Return to Complete Judo
Freestyle Judo restores the full spectrum of the art.
It brings back the dynamic, adaptable, and realistic approach often referred to as Judo’s “Golden Age.” In Freestyle Judo:
- Throwing specialists can still win decisively with ippon
- Wrestlers can attack the legs and dictate tempo
- Grapplers can engage in meaningful groundwork and submissions
All of these approaches are not separate—they are Judo.
As one experienced coach observed after watching Freestyle Judo for the first time: “That looks just like Judo.”
The answer: “That’s because it is Judo—just the way it ought to be done.”
Open to All Grappling Styles
Freestyle Judo welcomes athletes from a variety of backgrounds, including:
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners
- Wrestlers
- Mixed Martial Arts competitors
By offering a more open and inclusive rule set, Freestyle Judo creates an environment where skill—not restriction—defines success.
Why Train Freestyle Judo?
- Develop a complete grappling game
- Compete with fewer artificial limitations
- Bridge the gap between traditional Judo and modern combat sports
- Train in a system that rewards effectiveness, adaptability, and creativity
Freestyle Judo isn’t a departure from tradition—it’s a return to it.
For more information on Freestyle Judo classes and events such as seminars and clinics in Arizona, please contact us.
For more information on Arizona Freestyle Judo events such as Judo scrimmages and tournaments, visit our Arizona Freestyle Judo website.
For more information on the National Freestyle Judo movement and the International Freestyle Judo Alliance, visit the official National Freestyle Judo website at http://www.freestylejudo.org/ or visit our Black Belt (Yudanshakai) Association at http://www.judoblackbelt.com/
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