katamewaza

Katame-waza refers to the grappling techniques of judo and related grappling arts that aim to control an opponent on the ground or secure a submission. They are distinguished from throwing techniques (nage-waza) by their focus on immobilization, leverage, and submission rather than throwing execution. Katame-waza encompasses holds, pins, joint manipulations, and chokes used to dominate an opponent without striking.

The category is traditionally divided into three subgroups. Osaekomi-waza, or pinning techniques, involve immobilizing an opponent on their back to enforce control or create an opportunity for a submission. Common examples include various pin positions such as kesa-gatame (scarf hold) and tate-shiho-gatame (vertical four-quarter hold). Shime-waza, or strangulation techniques, seek to restrict blood or air flow to force submission and include chokes such as hadaka-jime, okuri-eri-jime, and kata-juji-jime. Kansetsu-waza, or joint-lock techniques, apply pressure to joints, primarily the elbow, to provoke submission or control, with arm-lock variations like ude-gatame and ude-hishigi-jiu-gatame among the well-known forms.

Historically, katame-waza is a core component of judo’s ne-waza (ground techniques) and was codified by Jigoro Kano as part of the standardized curriculum. Beyond judo, similar grappling controls appear in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Sambo, and other submission-oriented arts. Practice emphasizes safety, proper technique, and tapping to signal submission, as improper application can cause serious injury.