Judo Basics by Shintaro Higashi – In-Depth Review

Fundamentals-focused judo that gives you safe, repeatable stand-up for gi BJJ.

The Bottom Line

You learn stance battles, grips, and clean entries without force. You drill direct and misdirection attacks that scale to sparring. It is gi-first and not submission heavy.

⚡️ Quick facts

Best for: Beginners needing structure

Skip if: You train only no-gi

Tech focus: Grip Fighting, Right Vs Left Stance, Combinations

Biggest takeaway: Grip paths solve chaos

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What You'll Learn

A clean fundamentals blueprint from a 6th-degree judoka who regularly teaches BJJ athletes. It focuses on grip sequences, right-vs-right and right-vs-left scenarios, direct attacks, misdirection, and drilling. The instruction is short, concrete, and oriented to safe entries and balance breaking.
Ideal when you want reliable throws without wrecking your back or risking scrambles.

Primary Techniques You'll Drill

  • Grip Fighting
  • Right Vs Left Stance
  • Misdirection Entries
  • Combinations
  • Drills

Format & Level

  • Instructional style: System Based, Drill Heavy
  • Skill level: Beginner
  • Format: Gi
  • Runtime: 2 hours and 8 minutes
  • Volumes: 4

Should You Buy It?

Wait for daily deal. I rate it highly because many BJJ athletes need a dependable stand-up foundation more than exotic throws, and this delivers that quickly.

Why Shintaro Higashi?

Shintaro Higashi is a 6th-degree judo black belt, US national champion, and respected coach who often teaches BJJ-specific stand-up.

Community feedback

Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.

😍 Why People Love It

  • Short, practical lessons that help BJJ players stand with confidence.
  • Grip sequences make opposite-stance exchanges less scary.
  • Clear, digestible basics that you can drill immediately.

🤔 Common Criticisms

  • Mostly gi-oriented material.
  • Advanced judoka may find concepts familiar.
  • Less depth on chaining to submissions compared to BJJ-first sets.

Smart Alternatives

Sources & References

Official listing: View Judo Basics on BJJ Fanatics

Additional References

Your next step

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