5 Basic Judo Holds

Judo holds, or Osaekomi-Waza, are methods used for securing your opponent. They are meant to hold your opponent and designed to keep them still or pin then down.

Ideally, you want to take them down and then pin them, immobilizing them so they are unable to get back up. The groundwork, as it is also known, is a technique where you use your body to cover and hold your opponent down.

The gentler way, it holds the opponent, where they still have movement but are unable to escape or retaliate. While there are many different holds in Judo and variations of them all, we will look at the five basic ones.

1.   Kesa Gatame

Known as the scarf hold, once you have your opponent on the mat, your arm is around the back of his neck. Your arm under his head should come right up to your own thigh.

Then, you want to brace arm out straight to avoid your opponent rolling you over. Once your arm is out, you lose control of his head. From there, you extend your other arm up, then you can switch hands with which you are holding his arm. Then, you roll over and face his legs.

2.   Kuzure Kesa Gatame

Known as the modified scarf hold, this hold is a slight variation of the scarf hold. This hold has you hold your opponent in the same position, but instead of your arm around his head, it is under his arm. This allows less movement from your opponent.

This position is slightly more secure, but it may not always be possible to achieve during competition. It does present itself quite naturally and is a popular hold just after a take down.

3.   Ushiro Kesa Gatame

This is the next position after you have turned around. This is the reverse scarf hold. You still are holding his arm and now, with your weight against him, it is impossible for him to get up. He can turn, but not escape.

Now, you want to continue leaning forward, to avoid your opponent getting his legs over you. Slide your body around so your hips are in his armpit area. There, you secure his head by placing your arm under his neck. You have not let go of his wrist.

4.   Yoko Shiho Gatame

When you have control of his head, you can let go of his wrist. He will turn into you, which means you can move directly in to the Yoko Shiho Gatame position hold. It is the side four corner hold.

You have control of his head with one arm and then you wrap your other arm around his leg to secure him. Your arm on his head moves to his shoulder and he is securely pinned down.

5.   Kami Shiho Gatame

From the side four corner hold, slide your arm holding your opponent’s shoulder down to the material of his gi or his belt. Then, block the opposite hip of the leg you were holding. This will allow you to spin around with your torso towards his head.

In this hold, your opponent can not move around because you are blocking his hip and your elbow is beside his head, making it impossible for him to move. Your body works to block him and your arms are used on each side of him to complete the hold.

Know Your Holds

Basic Judo holds are an important part of practicing Judo. With several holds and several more variations for each, it is necessary to know them and how they transition to each other.

Of course, understanding each of the holds goes both ways. You need to understand how to do the hold and you need to know how to escape the hold. Each person will have their own little nuances to performing each hold and have their own tricks for getting out of them.

As you practice your moves, you will find it is a never-ending journey of learning, growth and strength. Each opponent you meet will have their own methods and each will be unique and interesting.

Judo Way of Life

This is a great way to learn and expand your own moves. Judo is so much more than learning moves. It is a discipline of the mind and body, with a code of ethics. Students learn how to have better control over their emotions and impulses.

It’s about passing on knowledge, growing, learning and a continuous path of education, building strength and enlightenment. It’s a great way to expand your mind and honor traditions.

Anyone can learn and practice Judo. It has been serving families for many years and has many other disciplines borne out of it. It will increase your strength. It gives you confidence and the ability to overcome your fears.

It will improve your balance and give you better endurance for the other things you need to do every day. It allows you to meet like-minded people and increase your social skills. You will discover the value of hard work because you will work hard but you will love it.

The benefits are endless when you practice Judo and with this video of our 5 basic Judo holds, we hope you find enjoyment in them and find a way to continue learning with Judo.