!t' by Ricki Kny, Slwdan,Iudo/Sandan, Karate or children, the martial arts class is a Andwhat about the wondertutptace. They canrun, .*riliH1frTi".r"" Deficit Dsorder (ADD) iump, roll, kick, punch, yell, and iet perhapswillneedmore hands-on or individual out all their energy. At the same time instruction.Imaypair they are learningto think,memorize, concen- ::i:*TJl:a1J:i:* class,and I usually trate, and have fun doing it. What better place keepthem away from any extra distractions, could there possiblybe? (continued on page 5) The physical aspectis only a small portion of the workout a child experiencesin class. The t€w There is always the parent who tells me, "I want my child to leam discipline." Overall, I Juiitsu usually do not have discipline problems at my tenual,li club. No matter how much trouble a child Avalla,Dta may be at home, in the dojo, the mere setting l takes care of most of the problems. For safety , ilofi! pulposes, the class is kept in organized chaos. I prefer to use understanding and positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Fun is the key word. Discipline will slip in through On[I :$,3!D.95i piu;$z-#:s&H the back door. Another question that I get is, C'all, l9.6rt-rr5,O to Ordctl "Will my child becomeviolent?" I quickly point out that the martial arts does not teach children to be violent. Violence is a reaction to fear; a loss of power; a feeling of frustration. Violence comesfrom within yourself. Also, today's parents are concemed with self- defense.They ask, "Can she defend herselP" Of course not! A child can be taught specific techniques of self-defense, skills of refwal, and many avoidance techniques, but a child's safety is always the responsibility of the adult. In the dojo the instructor has the opportturity to teach right from wrong, and for the older children, how to analyze a situation for self- defense.The emphasisin the dojo is not to fight your way out of a situation, but rather to leam to seea difficult time coming and how to avoid or work around it. The challengesof teaching children are small compared to its rewards. As a teacher of children of all ages,I know that when I see a lot of fidgeting, talking, or the children los- ing interest, I change activities. The pace is quicker, the details less, and the laughs more. Greetings: funior and Senior referee, manage, coach, and with respect As expected,the Nationals and other to belt rank, travel permits, kata judge "rumor mill" has been events where competitors certification, competitive awards, and any very active since the have shown potential. other aspectsofjudo." change in administration Theseindividuals will This historical data is important to con- of the National Goveming comprise the USJA's elite sider when comparing organizations and Body, United StatesJudo, teams, and they will be evaluating the growth, development, and Inc. (US!). There have ready to travel. As we national prograrns made available to the been numerous docu- request more approvals entire judo community. Each of the national ments transmitted by to participate in these judo organizations serye important func- mail, facsimile, and the events, we will have a tions in the development of national and Intemet regarding the greater dependency on intemational judo, but we should be proud status of American iudo. Jesse L. Jones competitors and coaches that the USIA has taken innovative and Thesedocuments may be perceived as to maintain peak performance so that the aggressivesteps to improve the quality of negative, and do not take into account the United Stateswill be well represented. coaching and to encourage this quality at efforts required for progress in all areasof Many of our members are unaware of the club level. The USJA survived strong development. Especially notable is the well- the obstaclesthat the USJA has overcome opposition during its infancy period, and publicized letter from the new President of during its development years (1954-1980). recently, through negotiations with the the USJI.As one reads the letter, opinions Many hours were spent in litigation over Intemal Revenue Service and other govem- and conclusionsare formed as to what we equality and status, but through it all, our ment agencies,we survived the financial may expect in the future. It is important growth has surpassedall expectationsdue legacy of our previous administration. when forming opinions and drawing con- to our loyal membership throughout the With expert legal assistance,and by the clusions, that we have facts before us. years.Of particular interest is a historic grace of God, we have survived it all. Allow me to offer some facts, not rumors. event which allowed our Association to This organizationwas built by dedicated The USfA was establishedfor the pur- flourish. On |uly 20, 1977,an order grant- and loyal members over the years. The pose of serving all of its members-com- ing full equality to the USfA, and settling USJA is not simply a judo organization- petitors and non-competitors. We have the anti-trust lawsuit between the United we're a family that will stand up and pro- aggressively planned for development in States|udo Federation (USJF)and the AAU, tect what we have built in an effort to the competitive community and support- the goveming body at that time,was mtered develop the sport we all love to be a vital ing activities. Theseactivities are not lim- by United StatesDistrict Judge Gerhard part of. The question now is, are we giv- ited to the jurisdiction of the United States, Gesell. The signing of the order in ing up this organization to merge with but intemational training and competition Washington was attended by then USJA another?Any loyal member of the USIA as well. Financial obstacleshave prevented attomeys Michael Rosenbergand Rick family can answer that question. This does our program from flourishing during the Harrington. Some of the key provisions not mean that we will not cooperatewith past few years,but very soon we will be include the following: other judo organizations to imprwe 4nd "The back on schedule. Recently the USIA old AAU-USIF exclusion belt rank expand our sport. We are dedicated.tothat received several requeststo visit foreign agreementis of no force and effect. USIA mission, with or without the help of others. countries for training and competition. We and USJFhave executedidentical Articles We have strong leaders in the fiqld, and will be financially able to participate in of Alliance giving each organization the that is our most valuable asset.july 20,1997 theseevents in the near future. In prepa- same recognition as the other in all areas. marks our twentieth year of independence ration for this, the USJA Executive Director All existing USJA and USJFreferees at all with equality, Let us celebrateby setting a has been requestedto establishjunior and levels are recognized by the AAU. The goal of registering new members into our senior competitive teams so that we can goveming body is prohibited from discrim- Association and carrying this effort forward, take advantageof intemational training inating in any way against the USJA and year to year, with vigor and enthusiasm. camps and competition. We will selectthe its members, and the USJFand its members, Every member is encouraged to partici- team membersfrom place winners in the with respect to the opportunity to compete, (continued on page 8) Some time ago, I sent a more than just produce inscribed on a plaque which will be placed letter to club coaches ask- tennis shoes,so I don't on the wall of the National Training Cmter, ing them to consider host- think it would be odd either in their name, or in honor or mem- ing clinics this year, from for them to get involved. ory of anyone they select. Use the enclosed Junethrough December. The main point is you form to send in your donation to this great This program was need someonewith cause. designed to help the clubs, money, influence and Dwing the year, our insurance premium the students, and the exposure. The previ- is paid for over a ten month period; we USJA.If just one-third of ously mentioned compa- have |uly and August in which to save the clubs contactedwould nies have that mat $29,000for the first month's payment in respond,the program will makers do not. At least September,and then each of the nine be a great success. not in this country. Many months thereafter, our monthly payments Coaches-let's hear from EdwardN. Szrejter moons ago, someone in are $11,000per month. June,fuly and youl some of the clinicians available to Florida managed to get the Coca-Cola August are traditionally slow registration you are: Company to spring for a nice set of tatami months at the USJA, and therefore it is that would travel around sometimes a struggle to meet this payment Chrlr tacDoDatd, top seeded U.S. athlete the state to be used at schedule.All Life Members, pleasecheck . Bonnle Kortc, past Nationat Champion and Kata Champion various shiai. The red your membership cards to seeif you are \ATg:,:ff;:3il,Xifj'ii[:HfJ"i1ffi:' border area was made up-to-date. A minimum $25.00Sustaining NJ,coach with trademarked Coca- Membership Todd BrehG, U. S. Champion, World Team member donation will insure your El.fne tcycr, former NJI Team Captain, past National Cola lettering and the coveragefor a year. Think-and act now. Champion white ribbon flowed The long-awaited USJA fujitsu Manual Grcg 'L,1997.lthas Fc?nrndsr, ten-time National Kata Champion around the entire bound- will be completed by August Chatllc nobfn.on, USJA Coaching Staff, Chairman, Board of ary.