Kodomo no Kata

The Kodomo-no-Kata is composed of 7 units and each can be followed and practised independently. The whole kata forms a progression to approach the fundamentals of judo practice safely. Each unit includes breakfalls (ukemi), movements (tai-sabaki), throwing techniques (nage-waza) and hold-down techniques (osaekomi-waza). The aim of this kata is to provide an educational tool for club teachers, covering the fundamentals of safe judo practice as well as a technical knowledge which can be used as testing criteria for grade promotion. This kata can be presented as a demonstration, and it develops the memory and an appreciation for the beauty of judo. For more information on the Kodomo no Kata, please visit the IJF article found here.

Kodomo-No-Kata - Unit 7

Youth 12th Class Jūnikyū (White/Yellow) Exam

This unit demonstrates foundational Judo movements and breakfalls.

Bowing In

Ritsu-rei and Za-rei
	A standing bow, facing Shomen
	A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.

Ukemi-Waza (Falling Techniques)

Technique	Description
Ushiro-ukemi (Backward Ukemi)	Both students lay on their backs, tuck their chins, and slap the mat twice. Then sit up with legs and arms extended, fall back into a breakfall with feet pointing straight up. Repeated twice.
Yoko-ukemi (Side Ukemi)	Both students lay on their back with their hands and feet pointing upward. Students perform breakfalls to both the right and left sides with hands and feet pointed up.
Outen-ukemi (Rolling Ukemi)	From hands and knees (turtle position), students perform a side roll into a breakfall. This is done once in each direction.

Ugokikata (Movement)

Mae-Sabaki

Ushiro-Sabaki

Ayumi-ashi Move three steps forward, then three steps backward with basic Kumi-Kata grips.
Tsugi-ashi Move side to side toward Shomen.

Nage-Waza (Throwing Techniques)

Throw	Description
Mae-sabaki throw	Uke drops to their knees. Tori takes basic Kumi-kata grip and performs a Mae-sabaki movement. Uke performs a side fall. Executed on both right and left sides.
Ushiro-sabaki throw	Uke kneels with right knee up and offers the right arm. Tori takes the arm with both hands and throws Uke using Ushiro-sabaki movement. Executed on both right and left sides.

Bowing Out

Za-rei and Ritsu-rei
	A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
	A standing bow, facing Shomen

Kodomo-No-Kata - Unit 6

Part of the Youth 11th Class Jūichikyū (Yellow) Exam

This unit introduces foundational Judo techniques, breakfalls, and movement patterns.

Bowing In

Ritsu-rei and Za-rei
	A standing bow, facing Shomen
	A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.

Ukemi-Waza (Breakfalls)

Ushiro-ukemi Sit with legs and arms extended, then perform a backward breakfall twice. Stand, squat down, grip sleeves, release, and perform a backfall twice.
Yoko-ukemi Squat down, extend the right arm, and perform a sweeping side fall.
Outen-ukemi / Mae Mawari Ukemi One student enters a turtle position. The other student grabs the collar and performs a front rolling breakfall over their partner (right and left sides).

Ugokikata (Movement)

Mae-Mawari-Sabaki

Ushiro-Mawari-Sabaki

Ayumi-ashi Move three steps forward, then three steps backward with basic Kumi-Kata grips.
Tsugi-ashi Move side to side toward Shomen, then in circular motions toward the collar and sleeve sides.

Tachi-Waza (Throws)

Hiza-Guruma Uke kneels with their right knee down, left foot forward. Tori executes Mae-Sabaki movement blocking the knee with the left foot. Repeated on both sides.
Tai-Otoshi Uke kneels with their right knee down, left foot forward. Tori executes Mae-Mawari-Sabaki movement, blocking the knee and performing Tai-Otoshi throw.

Bowing Out

Za-rei and Ritsu-rei
	A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
	A standing bow, facing Shomen

Kodomo-No-Kata - Unit 5

Part of the Youth 10th Class Jūkyū (Yellow/Orange) exam.

Bowing in

Ritsu-rei and Za-rei
	A standing bow, facing Shomen
	A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.

Ukemi-Waza

Ushiro Ukemi
	- Students will extend their arms in front of them and do two static Ushiro Ukemi
Yoko Ukemi
	- Students will their right arm and do a static Yoko Ukemi. - Students will then return to standing - Student will then Extend their left arm and do another Static yoko ukemi
Mae-mawari-ukemi
	- Students will then, starting in front of each other. Take a sliding step the right and come down onto their left knee, with their right knee up. They will then proceed to do a front rolling fall over their right shoulder. - The students will then come back up to their kneeling position, but with their right knee down and their left foot up, and do a front rolling fall over their left shoulder.

Ugokikata

- Student take a basic Judo grips of collar and sleeve, and they move around the mat, focusing on maintaining grips and not crossing their feet. This should demonstrate proper footwork and movement. - Students then return to their starting location, and fix their uniforms.

Happo-No-Kuzushi

- Happo No Kuzushi (八方の崩し) refers to the concept of off balancing an opponent in eight different directions. It is a fundamental principle in Judo, emphasizing the importance of balance and the ability to disrupt an opponent's stability from various angles. Tori will execute the Happo No Kuzushi in this order: -- Forward (Mae) -- Backward (Ushiro) -- Left (Hidari) -- Right (Migi) -- Forward-left (Mae-hidari) -- Forward-right (Mae-migi) -- Backward-left (Ushiro-hidari) -- Backward-right (Ushiro-migi) - Students then return to their starting location, and fix their uniforms.

Tachi-Waza

Note, these techniques are more about foot placement and body movement then executing the biggest technique possible.

De-ashi-harai
	- Uki stands with their right foot forward, Tori Sweeps the right foot with a De Ashi Harai, demonstrating proper hand work. - This is then repeated on the left side.
Uki Otoshi
	- Tori takes one Tsugi-Ashi step backward and then drops a knee down to complete Uki Otoshi. - This is then repeated on the left side.
Uki-goshi
	- Tori executes a Uki Goshi technique from a static position. Uke takes a breakfall. - This is then repeated on the left side. - Once both throws have been completed, students then return to their bowing positions.

Bowing Out

Za-rei and Ritsu-rei
	A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
	A standing bow, facing Shomen

Kodomo-No-Kata - Unit 4

Part of the Youth 9th Class Kukyū (Orange) exam.

Bowing in

Ritsu-rei and Za-rei
	A standing bow, facing Shomen
	A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.

Ukemi-Waza

Ushiro-Ukemi
	- After completing the Za-Rei, students will stand and take a sliding step to the right. Once they are off set from each other the students will extend their arm and walk forward taking a single backfall. Upon completing that backfall, they will do the same thing walking backward. - They should finish their falls in the same place they started
Yoko-Ukemi
	- After completing their previous step, Students would extend their right arm, Take two Tsugi-ashi steps moving left and then take a side fall. Upon completion of their side fall, the student will then do the same thing with the left arm extended shuffling to the right. - They should finish their falls in the same place they started

Mae-mawari-ukemi
	- After completing the Za-Rei, students will stand and take a sliding step to the right. Once they are off set from each other the students will extend their arm and walk forward taking a single backfall. Upon completing that backfall, they will do the same thing walking backward. - They should finish their falls in the same place they started

Tai-sabaki

When performing these movements, they should be done with fluidity and smoothness.

Mae-Sabaki	Ushiro-Sabaki	Mae-Mawari-Sabaki	Ushiro-Mawari-Sabaki

Happo-No-Kuzushi while moving

- The student will now demonstrate the Happo-No-Kuzushi with two Tsugi-ashi steps between each movement. Students will have basic Kumi-Kata grips and move through the motions in this order: - Using the official Kodokan Video on Happo-No-Kuzushi as an example, the students should return to their original positon between each movement. This differs from the Kodomo No Kata Video. Either is acceptable during examination.

Tachi-waza

Note, these techniques are more about foot placement and body movement then executing the biggest technique possible.

Hiza-Guruma
	- Tori and Uke approach each other and take basic, right side, Kumi-Kata Grips. Uke takes a step forward with his right foot. Tori then executes Hiza Guruma technique, with Uke receiving the technique with a proper breakfall. This is then repeated on the left side.

Tai-otoshi
	- Tori and Uki approach each other and take a basic, right side, Kumi-Kata grip. Tori executes the Kuzushi and Tsukuri of the Tai-Otoshi. Uke proceeds to step over the extended leg, and Tori finishes the technique. This is then repeated on the left side.

O-goshi
	- Tori and Uke again approach each other and take a basic, right side, Kumi-Kata grip. Tori executes the Kuzushi and Tsukuri of the O Goshi. Tori will then set Uke onto their toes while executing the technique. This is then repeated on the left side.

Bowing Out

Za-rei and Ritsu-rei
	A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
	A standing bow, facing Shomen

Kodomo-No-Kata Unit 3

1. Ritsu-rei and Za-rei
   1. A standing bow, facing Shomen
   2. A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
2. Mae-ukemi
3. Mae-mawari-ukemi
4. Tai-sabaki
5. Kuzushi with moving → Sasae-tsurikomiashi
6. Ippon-seoi-nage
7. Tsurikomi-goshi
8. Sasae-tsurikomiashi → Kesa-gatame
9. Za-rei and Ritsu-rei
   1. A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
   2. A standing bow, facing Shomen

Kodomo-No-Kata Unit 2

1. Ritsu-rei and Za-rei
   1. A standing bow, facing Shomen
   2. A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
2. Mae-ukemi
3. Mae-mawari-ukemi
4. O-uchi-gari
5. Ko-uchi-gari
6. O-soto-gari
7. O-uchi-gari → Kouchi-gari
8. O-soto-gari → Yokoshiho-gatame → Tate-shiho-gatame → Kata-gatame
9. Za-rei and Ritsu-rei
   1. A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
   2. A standing bow, facing Shomen

Kodomo-No-Kata Unit 1

1. Ritsu-rei and Za-rei
   1. A standing bow, facing Shomen
   2. A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
2. Mae-mawari-ukemi
3. Uchi-mata
4. Harai-goshi
5. Ko-uchi-gari → Ippon-seoi-nage
6. Ippon-seoi-nage → Kesa-gatame → Ushiro-kesa-gatame → Yoko-shihogatame → Kamishiho-gatame
7. Za-rei and Ritsu-rei
   1. A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
   2. A standing bow, facing Shomen