THE TECHNIQUES OF JUDO 

The official randori techniques of Judo, which are the heart of Judo, are listed below; judoka are expected to create their own movements, entries and combinations to add to this basic repertoire, and to learn from other fighters and of course their coaches:

(There are another 27 "New" throws, 9 katas and a host of striking techniques but they are not normally requirements for grading before black belt level.)

Some things not widely known about Judo:

• Standing submissions ARE LEGAL.
• Bicep-slicers, considered elbow-joint attacks, ARE LEGAL.
• Crushing pins that force a tapout through suffocation of the lungs, pain or discomfort ARE LEGAL and ARE PREFERRED!!!
• Shoulder throws, the most effective throwing techniques, account for 31% of victories by throwing and 20% of all judo victories, meaning 1 in 5 judo victories is from a shoulder throw, and about 1 in 3 successful throws.
• Ground victories account for 36% of judo match wins, so more than one-third.

Randori Waza

No matter how much excellent training you do by yourself or with a partner to develop techniques and speed, nothing is better than actually fighting with opponents for developing your combat skill. Here are the official standard techniques of judo that form the basis of fight-training, which should be the major form of your training. When fighting always CHANGE GRIPS A LOT! Changing grips tricks your partner and enables you to score throws! So, CHANGE GRIPS OFTEN!!!

Gokyo No Waza (40 Throws) 

Click here for videos of all the throws. 

Click here for animations of all the throws. 

Dai Ikkyo (1st group) YELLOW BELT

1. De Ashi Harai (Advancing Foot Sweep)
2. Hiza Guruma (Knee Wheel)
3. Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi (Propping Foot Stop)
4. Uki Goshi (Floating Hip)
5. O Soto Gari (Major Outside Reap)
6. O Goshi (Major Hip)
7. O Uchi Gari (Major Inner Leg Reap)
8. Seoi Nage (Back Carry Throw)

Dai Nikyo (2nd group) ORANGE BELT

1. Ko Soto Gari (Minor Outside Ankle Reap)
2. Ko Uchi Gari (Minor Inner Foot Reap)
3. Koshi Guruma (Hip Wheel)
4. Tsuri Komi Goshi (Propping Hip)
5. Okuri Ashi Harai (Receding Foot Sweep)
6. Tai Otoshi (Body Drop)
7. Harai Goshi (Sweeping Hip)
8. Uchi Mata (Major Inner Thigh)

Sankyo (3rd group) GREEN BELT

1. Ko Soto Gake (Minor Outside Ankle Block)
2. Tsuri Goshi (Supporting Hip)
3. Yoko Otoshi (Side Drop)
4. Ashi Guruma (Foot Wheel)
5. Hane Goshi (Spring Hip)
6. Harai Tsurikomi Ashi (Propping Ankle Sweep)
7. Tomoe Nage (Catapult or circle throw)
8. Kata Guruma (Fireman's Carry)

Yonkyo (4th group) BLUE BELT

1. Sumi Gaeshi (Rear Turnover)
2. Tani Otoshi (Valley Drop)
3. Hane Makikomi (Springing Hip Roll)
4. Sukuinage (Scooping Throw)
5. Utsuri Goshi (Revolving Hip)
6. O Guruma (Major Leg Wheel)
7. Soto Maki Komi (Outside Roll)
8. Uki Otoshi (Floating Drop)

Gokyo (5th group) BROWN BELT

1. O Soto Guruma (Major Outside Wheel)
2. Uki Waza (Floating Technique)
3. Yoko Wakare (Side Lateral Separation)
4. Yoko Guruma (Side Block)
5. Ushiro Goshi (Reverse Hip)
6. Ura Nage (Rear Throw)
7. Sumi Otoshi (Corner Drop)
8. Yoko Gake (Side hook)

Katame Waza (29 Grappling Techniques)

Click here for videos of grappling techniques.

Osaekomi-waza (pins or mat holds)

Click here for images of pins.

1. kuzure kesa gatame - modified scarf hold
2. kata gatame - shoulder hold
3. kami shiho gatame - upper four corner hold
4. kuzure kami shiho gatame - modified upper four corner hold
5. yoko shiho gatame - side four corner hold
6. tate shiho gatame - straight four corner hold
7. kesa gatame - scarf hold

Shime-waza (chokes or strangles)

Click here for images of chokes.

1. nami juji jime - normal cross
2. gyaku juji jime - opposite cross
3. kata juji jime - reverse cross
4. hadaka jime - naked choke
5. okuri eri jime - collar choke
6. kata ha jime - single wing sleeper
7. do jime - trunk choke
8. sode guruma jime - sleeve wheel choke
9. kata te jime - one hand choke
10. ryo te jime - two hand choke
11. tsukkomi jime - thrusting choke
12. sankaku jime - triangle choke

Kansetsu-waza (joint locks or arm bars)

Click here for images of joint locks.

1. ude garami - arm entanglement
2. ude hishigi juji gatame - cross arm lock
3. ude hishigi ude gatame - arm arm lock
4. ude hishigi hiza gatame - knee arm lock
5. ude hishigi waki gatame - armpit arm lock
6. ude highigi hara gatame - belly arm lock
7. ashi garami - leg entanglement
8. ude hishigi ashi gatame - leg arm lock
9. ude hishigi te gatame - hand arm lock
10. ude hishigi sankaku gatame - triangle arm lock

Click here for more information on techniques.