Adaptive Judo Mat Assistant — Help Keiki Learn Judo (No Experience Needed)

Every Monday evening, a group of keiki on the autism spectrum steps onto our mats to learn judo. We are looking for volunteers to be right there beside them.

Adaptive Judo meets Mondays, 5:00 to 6:00 PM, at our dojo on Waipa Lane. You do not need judo experience or any particular athleticism — just patience, warmth, and a willingness to show up.

WHAT YOU'LL ACTUALLY DO

Warm up alongside a student — stretches, rolls, simple movement drills.

Help them follow along when sensei introduces a new technique, breaking it into smaller steps when they need it.

Be a steady presence: celebrate the small wins, give space when someone needs a break.

You will always be working under the direction of the sensei leading the class. You are never expected to teach judo on your own. Your job is to help one child stay engaged, feel safe, and have fun.

WHO YOU'LL BE WORKING WITH

Our Adaptive Judo class is built for children on the autism spectrum. It is deliberately paced so students can join at any time, move at their own speed, and take breaks whenever they need one, without ever worrying about being left behind. We are not a therapy clinic and we are not training competitors — this is a place where kids learn a sport, stay active, and make friends.

Some students take to it immediately. Others need weeks before they are comfortable stepping onto the mat. Both are exactly what success looks like here.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

Full training including ukemi (safe falling), a judo gi if you need one, USJF insurance while you are on the mat, and an orientation before your first session with students.

WHAT WE ASK

Consistency matters more than experience — our students do best with familiar faces. If you can picture yourself with us for three or four months, that is the rhythm that works best. That said, we would much rather you come, meet the class, and see whether it fits than commit to anything in advance.

WHY IT MATTERS

Judo is not about hurting anyone. It is an art of self-defense that teaches discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance. For our students, the mat is often the first place a sport has ever felt genuinely welcoming. Being the person who helps a kid land their first roll — or who simply stays patient while they work up to trying — is the whole thing.

Need service or practicum hours for school? We are glad to verify them and sign whatever paperwork your program requires. Check with your school before you start, though — many programs must approve a placement in advance and cannot count hours retroactively.

Open to volunteers 18 and older. 

No judo or martial arts experience necessary. We provide all training, including safe falling (ukemi).

Comfortable working with children, including children with disabilities.

Because we work with children, every volunteer completes a background check before their first session on the mat. We will walk you through it.

Able to kneel, sit on the floor, and move around a mat for about an hour.

Willing to commit to a regular weekly schedule. Our students do best with familiar faces, so we hope volunteers can stay with us for three or four months — though we would rather you come and see if it fits than decide in advance.

Bare feet on the mat, no shoes. A judo gi is provided if you do not have one.

Please arrive 10 minutes early for your first session so we can walk you through the space and introduce you to the sensei.