Randori is a form of Judo sparring, a training exercise, and perhaps the most important element of a student’s training. It is a philosophy of Judo that only through actual competition against a resisting opponent will you be able to develop the supple muscles, reactions, stamina, and strategies to properly employ the techniques you practice in class.

     One of the main focuses in randori however is not to muscle your opponent – quite the opposite – you need to learn how to be loose and flow, waiting for your opportune time to attack. You have to learn how to feel out your opponent and to train your mind how to deal with rapidly changing situations, moving from one technique to another before your opponent has time to react.

     There are many variations on randori, depending on what the students are practicing. If throwing techniques are the focus, then randori may end after one opponent throws the other. If ground work is the focus, the opponents may start on their knees rather than standing – and may end after your opponent is either pinned or submitted.