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

1. Ritsu-rei and Za-rei
   1. A standing bow, facing Shomen
   2. A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other. # Ushiro-ukemi
2. Yoko-ukemi
3. Mae-mawari-ukemi
4. Happo-no-kuzushi
5. De-ashi-harai
6. Uki-otoshi
7. Uki-goshi
8. 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 4

1. Ritsu-rei and Za-rei
   1. A standing bow, facing Shomen
   2. A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
2. Ushiro-ukemi
3. Yoko-ukemi
4. Mae-mawari-ukemi
5. Tai-sabaki
6. Happo-no-kuzushi with moving
7. Hiza-guruma
8. Tai-otoshi
9. O-goshi
10. 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 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. # Mae-ukemi
2. Mae-mawari-ukemi
3. O-uchi-gari
4. Ko-uchi-gari
5. O-soto-gari
6. O-uchi-gari → Kouchi-gari
7. O-soto-gari → Yokoshiho-gatame → Tate-shiho-gatame → Kata-gatame
8. 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. # Mae-mawari-ukemi
2. Uchi-mata
3. Harai-goshi
4. Ko-uchi-gari → Ippon-seoi-nage
5. Ippon-seoi-nage → Kesa-gatame → Ushiro-kesa-gatame → Yoko-shihogatame → Kamishiho-gatame
6. Za-rei and Ritsu-rei
   1. A kneeling bow with Uke and Tori facing each other.
   2. A standing bow, facing Shomen