Joint locks in Judo... FUNdamental!

[Tant01]

This is for the Gracie Jiu-jitsu player known as Tap R Snap and anyone else interested in fundamental Judo techniques.

A joint lock (in Japanese, kansetsu-waza) is the general term for martial arts and grappling techniques involving manipulation of the joints. These typically involve isolating an opponent's limb and forcing the joint to move past its normal range of motion (generally hyperextension rather than hyperflexion). Joint locks are used as pain compliance holds in self-defense applications and law-enforcement, and in combat sports as submission holds. In combat sports, a joint lock is generally intended to produce submission from an opponent, so a lock will be controlled and held until an opponent submits or a referee recognizes the threat of injury. In self-defense or hand-to-hand combat applications, no such submission (or referee) is available, and the goal is most likely to render an opponent harmless. (rapidly) When applied with injurious intent, a joint lock can cause dislocation, torn ligaments, bone fractures, and muscle damage.

Common martial arts that use joint locks include catch wrestling, judo, jujutsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, aikido, and mixed martial arts. Small joint manipulation is against the rules of almost all combat sports, though many self-defense styles and combatives teach them. In MMA matches, some fighters, out of pride, will refuse to submit to a successful joint lock, choosing instead to allow the joint be injured (the referee will still stop the match if this happens). A well-known example of a fighter who refused to give up from a joint lock is Hélio Gracie, the BJJ founder who was trapped in a ude-garami lock from Masahiko Kimura, a famous judo practioner.

Joint Locks

Elbow locks are considered safe-enough to do at nearly full-force to induce a submission. In times past, Judo allowed many other joints to be attacked too such as the knees, spine and others. Over the years it was discovered that attacking those other joints would not only result in many injuries to the athletes, but also would gradually wear the joints down over time. Even so, some Judoka still enjoy learning and fighting each other informally using these banned techniques. Joint locks are effective combat techniques since they enable you to control your opponent through pain-compliance. Also, some joints, such the elbows, can be broken, maiming your adversary so he cannot any longer attack you effectively or put up a defence. For these reasons Judo considers joint locks to be important techniques.

While Judo includes a variety of rolls, falls, throws, pins, chokes, joint-locks, and methods of percussion (Atemi waza), the primary focus is on throwing (nage-waza), and groundwork (ne-waza).

The groundwork techniques are divided into: attacks against the joints or joint locks (kansetsu-waza), strangleholds or chokeholds (shime-waza), and holding or pinning techniques (osaekomi-waza).

In randori and shiai (tournament) practice, when an opponent successfully executes a chokehold or joint lock, one "taps out" by tapping the mat or one's opponent at least twice in a manner that clearly indicates the submission. When this occurs, the match is over, and the tapping player has lost, but the chokehold or joint lock ceases. Because this allows a merciful exit to the match, injuries related to these holds are quite rare.

Wikipedia...

[Tant01]

[Judo] Techniques of bending the joints of Uke's limbs (usually) during groundwork (Ne-waza) using locks, and thus immobilizing him or her. Typical techniques are:

Ude-garami, twisting the arms
Ude-gatame, twisting locks, arm bent
Ude-hishigi, locks in a position of hyperextension
Hiza-gatame, locks in a position of hyperextension, using the knee
Waki-gatame, locks in a position of hyperextension, using the armpit
Hara-gatame, locks in a position of hyperextension over the stomach
(Te-gatami , locks in a position of hyperextension using the hands)
Ashi-garami, leg locks (maybe later...)

Ude-Garami
[Judo, Ju-jutsu] (lit. Entwined Arm-lock) a joint-lock that applies pressure on the elbow of the opponent's bent arm.
2. [Judo] This is a technique in which Uke's arm is bent and locked, with pressure exerted on the elbow joint. Usually performed with Uke lying on his or her back.
3. (oo'day ga-ra'mee) "entangled armlock" A judo armlock in which the opponent's arm is bent and pressure is applied against the elbow. It is the eleventh technique of katame-no-kata.

ude guruma
1. [Judo] (lit. Arm-lock) a joint-lock that uses the forearm to apply pressure directly against the opponent's elbow
2. [Judo] A technique of pressure against an arm joint, in this case the elbow. Uke's wrist is held against Tori's neck and Tori presses against the elbow with both hands. A variation is to hold the wrist against Tori's shoulder.
3. (oo'day ga-ta'mee) A judo armlock in which the opponent's arm is locked at the elbow joint. It is the thirteenth technique of katame-no-kata.

Arlington YMCA Ju-jutsu Dojo...

Terminology - U



All the best.

[SamuraiGuy]

Although generally not a very smart thing to do... and I would never really advise it..

I gotta give props to Helio for not tapping.. thats gotta take some ballls when you know hes gonna rip your arm off. (not literally rip your arm off)

[Tant01]

Originally Posted by SamuraiGuy

Although generally not a very smart thing to do... and I would never really advise it..

I gotta give props to Helio for not tapping.. thats gotta take some ballls when you know hes gonna rip your arm off. (not literally rip your arm off)

I recently read that Helio actually confessed that he was choked out by Kimura and wasn't even conscious when he needed to tap out...

Eyes open, nobody home...

[Tant01]

Originally Posted by Tant01

I recently read that Helio actually confessed that he was choked out by Kimura and wasn't even conscious when he needed to tap out...

Eyes open, nobody home...

Helio Gracie reveals the true story behind his epic battle with Masahiko Kimura
Helio Gracie Interviewed by Nishi Yoshinori
From Kakuto Striking Spirit May 1, 2002
Translated by Yoko Kondo

This interview was conducted in 1994 just after the UFC 3, but was published for the first time on May 1, 2002 in Japan. Nishi Yoshinori participated in a seminar held one day before the Ultimate in Charlotte. What drew attention there was Helio Gracie who was teaching Nishi with care. On September 15, four days later, Nishi visited the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy owned by Rorion in Los Angeles. Helio, who postponed his return to Brazil in expectation of his visit, was waiting for him there. Nishi took a private lesson on the advice of Rorion. When the one-hour training was finished, Helio came to Nishi saying "there is something I want to show you." What was put in front of Nishi were rare pictures of his legendary fight with Masahiko Kimura, the master...
http://judoinfo.com/helio.htm

[THT]

that was very interesting, thank you...

[Tant01]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I hope Tap R Snap finds it interesting too!

[jeff5]

Great info Tant01. I've been doing a lot of reading on Judo lately myself. If you ever pick up the book Kodokan Judo by Jigoro Kano, it shows all the Waza in the system, which do include some basic joint locks, although not as many or varied as Aikido, or BJJ, etc. Kano himself said that he prefered Nage-Waza, throwing techiniques, as they were a better form of physical exercise with minimal risk of injury. He also said that he felt the throws were artistically pleasing. (all from his book)

It seems that there's a movement to revert to more classical Judo, with an overall emphasis on personal development, practicing the Kata/Waza, etc., rather than emphasize the competition aspect. The competitive aspect was only supposed to be a means to and end, not the end in and of itself, which is what some folks think Judo has become. (not judging, and never practiced the art so just stating what I've read!)

[Tant01]

Originally Posted by jeff5

Great info Tant01. I've been doing a lot of reading on Judo lately myself. If you ever pick up the book Kodokan Judo by Jigoro Kano, it shows all the Waza in the system, which do include some basic joint locks, although not as many or varied as Aikido, or BJJ, etc.

..............!)

I do own a copy of that book and it is a good one but it falls short of showing "all" the waza... There are many variations of the fundamental locks in judo...

This book can be had for about twenty bucks and worth every penny!

Armlocks: Judo Masterclass Techniques
by Neil Adams
ISBN: 1852232471

Google a review of it see if you're interested, it's only like 90 pages or so.