How Shohei Ono Wins With This Armpit Grip: Judo Throwing Secrets
Shohei Ono’s incredible dominance in world judo comes from more than sheer athleticism. One of his signature tools—the armpit grip—has changed the way elite judoka approach gripping, control, and attack. In this breakdown, we’ll unpack exactly how Ono uses this grip, what makes it special, and how you can add it to your own arsenal.
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The Core of the Armpit Grip
Most judoka are used to classic sleeve-and-lapel grips. Shohei Ono, however, takes control with a unique approach:
“Armpit” or Bicep Pocket Grip: Instead of simply reaching under the opponent’s armpit, Ono sometimes grabs closer to the middle of the bicep. He pinches and forms a tight pocket with his hand.
Wrist Curl for Tightness: After establishing the grip, Ono curls his wrist, using forearm strength to take up the slack and secure the position.
Driving the Wrist into the Elbow: He pushes the back of his wrist into the opponent’s elbow joint, further tightens control, and limits their ability to reach, grip, or break free.
Why Is This Grip So Effective?
Nullifies Opponent’s Over-the-Back Grips: Ono allows the opponent to come over his back, then uses the armpit or bicep grip to separate their arms and shut down their upper body connection.
Superior Leverage for Big Throws: From this pocket grip, Ono can generate immense upward and outward pressure—turning his opponent and setting up powerful throws like uchi mata.
Difficult for Opponents to Counter: With the grip deep and his wrist flexed, even strong judoka find it almost impossible to break his control or recover their preferred grip.
Attack Options from the Armpit Grip
Shohei Ono’s favorite attacks from this grip include:
Uchi Mata: Swinging the opponent’s head back, pivoting, and launching uchi mata with the inside leg—often after creating separation with the armpit grip.
Osoto Gari and Harai Goshi: The opponent’s upper body is so tightly controlled that large forward and backward throws become easy to initiate.
Backside Setups: The grip leaves the opponent flat-footed and off-balance, allowing Ono to attack either side.
Key Technical Details
Alternating the Grip: Sometimes Ono’s grip is deep under the armpit; other times, he pinches the bicep, depending on the exact position and how the opponent responds.
Forearm Strength: The grip demands strong forearms and constant tension. Ono himself notes that many judoka struggle with this detail.
Hand Placement: By flexing his wrist and crushing the opponent’s arm, Ono blocks their attack and sets up his own—often forcing reactions he can exploit.
Why You Should Try It
This armpit grip isn’t just a world champion’s trick—it’s a versatile tool all judoka can use to gain grip control, nullify tall opponents, and set up devastating attacks. If you’re looking to modernize your stand-up, experimenting with the armpit or bicep pocket grip can open new doors in your judo.
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