Randori is a Japanese term meaning something close to free practice, and it describes live training against a partner rather than a fixed, prearranged pattern. It is most closely associated with judo, where randori is a central part of training, but a related idea appears in aikido, where randori more often means defending against multiple attackers in a controlled, cooperative way rather than fully resisting sparring.
In judo, randori generally involves two practitioners attempting throws, grips and, depending on the club, groundwork against genuine resistance, but with an understanding that safety and control take priority over winning at any cost, which sets it apart from full competition. This makes randori a middle ground between kata, which is fixed and cooperative, and formal competition, which is fully contested under strict rules.
Good ukemi, or breakfalling, is essential before taking part in randori safely, since being thrown is a routine part of the practice. Our judogi guide covers uniform choices suited to frequent randori.
