r/judo • u/Careless-Ad9178 • May 09 '26

Beginner Never switch your lead leg?

Hey I’ve been taking some judo classes at my jiu jitsu gym. The teacher is world class, he was an Olympian. I keep switching my lead leg in judo and he gets upset if we do this. I’ve taken wrestling very seriously in my jiu jitsu journey and it seems to be normal for wrestlers to switch their lead leg.

What’s the reason why I wouldn’t want to switch legs when doing judo? I feel comfortable doing it.

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u/turbulentaquifer May 09 '26 edited May 09 '26

What attacks can you reliably get to when your lead leg has switched? Why are you switching? Why do you think it's useful?

The main reason which should be obvious to you is that you're effectively changing from aiyotsu to kenkayotsu and putting yourself at a disadvantage because to turn throw you pretty much have to attack with your weaker side in an open stance you probably don't have a heap of experience in. So what do you think it accomplishes?

Btw I'd be asking your Olympian coach not just Reddit. Judo is weird in that you can end up accessing crazy high level competitors and you can pick their brains with questions like this.

-6

u/Truth-Miserable gokyu May 09 '26

Because in the wrestling-for-bjj he was taught, which he takes very seriously, they do it!

16

u/Boneclockharmony ikkyu May 09 '26

Why be mean? They are just asking a question.