Judo Techniques

With the help of our friends at Kodokan – the very school that Dr. Jigoro Kano founded, we have put together a Judo Glossary of all of the judo techniques in the Kodokan. This will help you troubleshoot a technique as well as get ready for a promotion test. The videos are demos, not tutorials. And the judo techniques are also shown on slow motion so that you can see every detail.

Nage waza (Throwing techniques)

Te Waza (Hand Techniques)

Te-waza (hand techniques) are part of the Throwing techniques (Nage-waza) group. These techinques are performed using the hands/arms to offset the opponent's balance and execute the throw. Hand techniques include: Tai Otoshi (Body Drop) and Ippon Seoinage (One Arm Shoulder Throw).

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Koshi Waza (Hip Techniques)

Koshi-waza, also pronounced Goshi-waza, (hip techniques) are part of the throwing techniques (Nage-waza) group. These techniques require you to offset your opponent's balance by a pulling or lifting motion and loding them on your hip. Some of the hip techniques include: Harai Goshi (Sweeping Hip Throw) and Tsuri Goshi (Large Hip Throw).

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Ashi Waza (Foot/Leg Techniques)

Ashi-waza (foot/leg techniques) are part of the throwing techniques (Nage-waza) group. These are techniques that use the foot or leg to trigger the throw by sweeping, reaping, or hooking the opponent's legs. Foot techniques include: Uchimata (Inner Thigh Throw) and Ouchi Gari (Major Inner Reaping).

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Sutemi Waza (Sacrifice Techniques)

Sutemi-waza (Sacrifice Techniques) are part of the is the throwing techniques (Nage-waza) group and require the Tori (executioner) to land on their back or side briefly without losing momentum to complete the throw which will resolve to Tori being on top. The Sutemi-waza further divided into Back Sacrifice (Ma-sutemi-waza) and Side Sacrifice (Yoko-sutemi-waza). Some of the sacrifice throws are: Sumi-gaeshi (Corner throw) and Tani-otoshi (Valley drop)

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Gatame waza (Grappling techniques)

Osae komi Waza (Hold-down Techniques)

Osaekomi-waza (Pinning techniques) is one of the groups of Katame-waza (Grappling techniques). The objective of osaekomi is to pin an opponent on their back for approximately 20 secs to obtain ippon. Some of the osaekomi techniques are: Kesa-gatame (Scarf hold) and Kata-gatame (Shoulder hold).

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Shime/Jime Waza (Choking Techniques)

The objective of Shime/Jime Waza (Choking Techniques) is to: constrain your opponent's arteries to slow down blood flow to the brain causing a black out, compress the trachea to induce a respiratory block, or compress the chest to prevent diaphragm expansion. Some of the choking techniques are: Nami-juji-jime (Normal cross strangle) and Sankaku-jime (Triangular strangle)

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Kansetsu Waza (Joint Lock Techniques)

The objective of Kansetsu Waza (Joint Lock Techniques) is to apply hypoerextending pressure to a joint to force a snap of the joint. These techniques are very dangerous if practiced incorrectly or without the safety of a tap. Some of the joint lock techniques are: Ude-hishigi-ude-gatame (Arm lock) and Ude-hishigi-juji-gatame (Cross lock)

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