Rethinking Traditional Grappling: A Modern Take on Learning Judo and Jiu-Jitsu

In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro is joined by Peter Yu to break down a nuanced and important conversation happening in the grappling world: how do we actually learn Judo and Jiu-Jitsu effectively? With clips circulating online and critiques of static drills like uchikomi from platforms like Hanon TV, the two explore the deeper layers behind traditional methods and how they fit into a modern approach to training.

Shintaro opens the conversation by defending static uchikomi as a useful tool—but only in a limited context. “It’s a teaching tool,” he explains, “especially for beginners to learn the basic mechanics. But the point of diminishing returns comes fast.” The issue isn’t whether traditional methods have value—they do. The problem is when they become the only tool being used.

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Peter agrees, drawing parallels with sports like golf and boxing. “In golf, you hit perfect swings on the range, but in real play the ground is uneven, the ball lies different—it’s never perfect.” Grappling, they argue, is the same. The classic uchikomi might teach body mechanics, but it strips away the timing, reactions, and resistance of live opponents. That’s where grip fighting and positional training come in.

Grip fighting, they both agree, is one of the most overlooked skills in grappling. “It’s like discovering a superpower,” Shintaro says. “Once you learn how to win the grip and positional fight, throws start working naturally.” Without grip control, even perfect throwing mechanics fall apart.

They go on to discuss training environments. Instead of endless repetition, Shintaro advocates for ecological-style drills—where players are given a specific objective, like “win the first grip” or “maintain inside leg position,” and then let the situation unfold. “You’re not scripting the sequence. You’re letting students play it out. And when you need to guide them, you suggest—not dictate—options.”

They reference other sports again, including a powerful example from tennis. “If you’re struggling with a high backhand, you isolate that shot and drill it over and over. You don’t just hope it comes up in a match. You target it deliberately.” That same principle applies to grappling. If you need to improve your inside leg entries, you isolate that position, rep it, and give it real, repeated exposure—without ego or risk of injury.

Peter also shares his own experience of adding left-sided o-goshi into his game. “I started from the static drill, then slowly added it to live games. Now it’s one of my go-to techniques.” That process—build familiarity through fundamentals, then layer in realistic resistance and positional complexity—is exactly the hybrid approach Shintaro and Peter advocate.

While they acknowledge the critiques from more traditional camps, both agree the key is balance. Static drills serve a purpose. But once the mechanics are understood, students should quickly transition into live positional work, grip fighting, and situational games.

“Some gyms go overboard,” Shintaro says. “They make you do 10,000 uchikomi mindlessly. That’s not teaching—it’s punishment.” Instead, he outlines his own flow: a few sets of static drills, followed by exploratory grip fighting games, then positional play. “You get better by solving problems in real time—not just repeating shapes.”

The conversation ends with a reflection on how the sport can continue to modernize. Judo, in particular, carries a strong tradition-based culture that often resists change. But by embracing new methods while respecting the old, both Shintaro and Peter believe grappling can evolve—and become more accessible and effective for the next generation of practitioners.

If you’ve ever asked yourself why your throw isn’t working, or if you’re stuck in the static-drill rut, this episode offers a refreshing and insightful perspective on what really leads to growth in grappling.

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The cross discipline nature of the Tomoe Nage throw makes this technique a must have in your arsenal! The ability to change levels on your opponent with force and purpose changes the game and tips the scales when transitioning from standing to ground. Tutorials found online tend to get bogged down in the minute details of where and how to grip, this easy to understand breakdown takes the mystery out of the technique!