First introduced as an Olympic sport in Tokyo 1964, judo is a dynamic grappling sport where it’s competitors win by throwing and pinning their opponents to the floor or forcing submission through armlocks or strangles. To become an elite judoka, athletes are required to develop a high level of physical literacy before they're able to execute complex throwing techniques, delivered within physically intensive combative intervals. With over one hundred different throwing techniques, with variations of each, as well as ground holds, armlocks and strangles, the importance of motor skill development and decision making is extremely high. Skill Acquisition for Judo; Principles into Practice blends theory and application by chronologically establishing the theoretical foundations underpinning skill acquisition before exploring its impact on the developing judoka. The book bridges the gap between theory and applied practice, exploring insights into the training methods of judo coaches throughout the world, providing practical examples of applied ecological dynamics, manipulating training constraints to develop their athletes and deliver performance through the talent development pathway. Considering the impact that constraints led training has been shown to have on open skill performance sport, it’s application by judo coaches should come as no surprise considering the dynamic, open skill nature of the sport. This book creates a platform that explores the theoretical foundations of skill acquisition whilst providing insight into the training methods of judo coaches throughout the world, utilising and manipulating training constraints to develop their athletes and deliver performance. Skill Acquisition for Judo; Principles into Practice is key reading for students, coaches and practitioners in the fields of sport science, coaching, motor learning and skill acquisition as well as judoka themselves.

Darren Warner is a Senior Lecturer at St Marys University. His PhD focuses on coaching and skill acquisition in elite performance. He has a MSc in Applied Sports Coaching and was a former coach for Team GB.