Reddit reviews Judo Formal Techniques: A Complete Guide to Kodokan Randori No Kata (Tuttle Martial Arts)

For books, this is THE book for nage-no-kata. I recommend using this for specific techniques that you are having trouble with, as it is extremely extensive.

I recommend watching the world champions in nage-no-kata, and try to emulate them to the best of your ability. Most commissions that judge you, use the IJF NNK guideline to assess your kata, but that depends on the federation.

Before you start adding mistakes into your kata and waste time, start by emulating the best in the world (above video). Sure it won't look that nice in the end, but it's important to have a vision to go after. Another tool is to videotape yourself practicing, this serves two purposes; 1) it allows you to watch in slow-motion all of the stuff that goes wrong 2) you can go back and watch previous videos to see how much it is improving, this is a morale boost.

For specific techniques it's best to either upload a video of one of the demonstrations or ask specific questions. Nage-no-kata as a whole is a big topic, and difficult to cover in its entirety. I'll gladly help you on your way.

The best source on the nage no kata is this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Judo-Formal-Techniques-Complete-Kodokan/dp/080481676X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418230202&sr=8-1&keywords=otaki+draeger&pebp=1418230207714

For instructional videos you may want to look into Kodokan teaching videos like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S8I76aPW7s

or footage from kodokan kata seminars like this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMPcL_LKo88

Not instructional, but this video is regarded one of the better demonstrations of the kata on the Internet (at least by the german judoforum):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7hDH_KHf9o

And here is a clip featureing 10th dan Yoshitsugo Yamashita doing it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmOX5p5zmc0

Buy this book and study it: http://www.amazon.com/Judo-Formal-Techniques-Complete-Kodokan/dp/080481676X

I only had time for a quick view but first and foremost --- you guys just need more time to learn to work together better. 2 weeks is unreasonable expectation because part of the kata is learning how to move with your partner in everything and getting the mutual timing together. Kata is a fluid stylistic presentation not just a patchwork of techniques with some shuffling into position between the throws. Practice will get you there.

For example, one issue is one of you takes a very long time to straighten their gi after the first set...way too long so the first guy turns first. Not good (one trick people do is to snap their belt twice to tighten the knot and indicate they're ready...1, 2, turn-- cheesy but acceptable often). Also in general, many of your movements need fluidity. That is something you will get by practicing more.

The mat presence is sloppy (ex's- you make big clumsy steps not fluid smooth gliding steps, you are getting up with your left leg first and pushing off your knee, Uke is not giving enough for some techniques and giving too much for others - minor but makes it sloppy over all). Your bowing needs work. If you are the bearded guy, you barely bow to the judges. They may not seem like a big deal but could be off putting to some (your end bow was better). Match it all with Uke.

More specifics: the uki otoshi definitely needs some work so does the Harai (no kuzushi?!). The kata guruma can be cleaned up a bit. Uke needs to work on falling in the proper locations. Sorry to say but the Uchi mata was not good. I don't believe you should be lifting but pulling them around in tighter and tighter circles and flow into the throw.

Please check out the book I linked. Its very specific and will help out a ton. And I hope you have someone kata certified guiding you? Keep practicing --- you made a lot of progress in 2 weeks so imagine how nice it can be in 6 months. But take everything very seriously (from bowing, to the tiny kuzushi specific to each throw, to the specific way you both arise from the ground). Good luck!

Edit: typos and thank you for my first gold, kind Judoka.

It's a step-by-step guide to nage no kata for both tori and uke. Very informative.

Edit: Book link
https://www.amazon.com/Judo-Formal-Techniques-Complete-Kodokan/dp/080481676X