Only 50% of American kids today get the majority of their sports exposure between kindergarten and 8th Grade from mainstream American sports such as Baseball, Football, Soccer and others.

Once in High School that number drops by 50% again, only those that are skilled enough to make the varsity and junior varsity teams.

Once in College that number drops by even more than 50% again, only those that are highly skilled can continue in their sport.

After College less than 1% of the truly elite athletes can be professional athletes in their sport.

Judo can be practiced almost your entire life from a small child until well into the golden years.

Judo offers an opportunity to continuously improve strength, flexibility, speed, coordination and even self-confidence through life. 

Judo isn't just for kids, it's for anyone that wants to improve their life.

So take the video game out their hands, rip them away from the TV, even if it's only for a few hours a week. 

You will be providing them with a sport they can practice their entire life.

Judo is many things to different people. It is a fun sport, a martial art , a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a fitness program, a means of self-defense or combat, and a way of life. It is all of these and more.

Kodokan Judo comes to us from the fighting system of feudal Japan. Founded in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano, Judo is a refinement of the ancient martial art of Jujutsu. Dr. Kano, President of the University of Education, Tokyo, studied these ancient forms and integrated what he considered to be the best of their techniques into what is now the modern sport of Judo.

Judo was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1964 and is practiced by millions of people throughout the world today. People practice Judo to excel in competition, to stay in shape, to develop self-confidence, and for many other reasons. But most of all, people do Judo just for the fun of it.

As in all sports, Judo has a strict set of rules that governs competition and ensures safety. For those who want to test their skills, Judo offers the opportunity for competition at all skill levels, from club to national tournaments, to the Olympic Games. There are separate weight divisions for men and women, and boys and girls.

Judo is best known for it's spectacular throwing techniques but also involves considerable grappling on the ground utilizing specialized pins, control holds, arm locks, and Judo choking techniques. Judo emphasizes safety, and full physical activity for top conditioning. Judo is learned on special mats for comfort and safety.

Judo is unique in that all age groups, both sexes, and most disabled persons can participate together in learning and practicing the sport. Judo is an inexpensive, year-round activity, that appeals to people from all walks of life. Many people over sixty years of age enjoy the sport, as well as very young boys and girls.

Judo develops self-discipline and respect for oneself and others. Judo provides the means for learning self-confidence, concentration, and leadership skills, as well as physical coordination, power, and flexibility. As a sport that has evolved from a fighting art, it develops complete body control, fine balance, and fast reflexive action. Above all, it develops a sharp reacting mind well-coordinated with the same kind of body. Judo training gives a person an effective self-defense system if the need arises.