Judo waza (techniques)

There are three basic categories of waza (techniques) in Judo: nage-waza (throwing techniques) nage-waza katame-waza (grappling techniques) katame-waza atemi-waza (striking techniques) atemi-waza   Judo is most known for nage-waza and katame-waza. Judo practitioners typically devote a portion of each practice session to ukemi (break-falls), in order that nage-waza can be practiced without significant risk of injury. Several distinct types of ukemi exist, including ushiro ukemi (rear breakfalls); yoko ukemi (side breakfalls); mae ukemi (front breakfalls); and zenpo kaiten ukemi (rolling breakfalls) The person who performs a waza is known as tori (literally "taker") and the person to whom it is performed is known as uke (literally "receiver").

Nage waza (throwing techniques) Nage waza include all techniques in which tori attempts to throw or trip uke, usually with the aim of placing uke on his back. Each technique has three distinct stages: Kuzushi (the initial balance break; Tsukuri (the act of turning in and fitting into the throw; Kake (the execution and completion of the throw. Nage waza are typically drilled by the use of uchi komi, repeated turning-in, taking the throw up to the point of kake. Traditionally, nage waza are further categorised into tachi-waza (standing techniques), throws that are performed with tori maintaining an upright position, and sutemi-waza (sacrifice techniques), throws in which tori sacrifices his upright position in order to throw uke. Tachi-waza are further subdivided into te-waza (hand techniques), in which tori predominantly uses his arms to throw uke; koshi-waza (hip techniques) throws that predominantly use a lifting motion from the hips; and ashi-waza (foot and leg techniques), throws in which tori predominantly utilises his legs. Back to top

Katame-waza (grappling techniques) Katame-waza is further categorised into osaekomi-waza (holding techniques), in which tori traps and pins uke on his back on the floor; shime-waza (strangulation techniques), in which tori attempts to force a submission by choking or strangling uke; and kansetsu-waza (joint techniques), in which tori attempts to submit uke by painful manipulation of his joints. A related concept is that of ne-waza (prone techniques), in which waza are applied from a non-standing position. Kansetsu-waza is currently limited, outside of kata, to elbow joint manipulation. Back to top

Atemi-waza (striking techniques) Atemi-waza are techniques in which tori disables uke with a strike to a vital point. Atemi-waza are not permitted outside of kata. Back to top