Three things I wish someone had told me before starting Judo

After 10 months of Judo I want to share what I wished I'd known at the start.

First: trusting breakfalling (ukemi) instinctively — it hits earlier and harder than the internet suggests. Budget for it practically and mentally. Second: the ear guards for groundwork sessions you buy first will probably be wrong — ask your coach before spending money. Third: ippon is the foundation everything else builds on, but it looks boring from the outside. Resist the temptation to rush toward advanced osoto-otoshi before the fundamentals are solid.

landing a clean ippon throw is the reward for getting through all of that. It's worth it.