Ju-ji-gatame (straight arm lock)

This lock has been used with great success in competition. It can be done in various positions but I will describe the most usual position. Quite often in groundwork your opponent will end up in the defensive posture as shown with you kneeling close behind him. To apply the lock, first of all place your left thigh on your opponent's head, at the same time making your right hand into a ball, push it under the opponent's right arm and then catch your own left arm. Now swing your left leg over his head and tuck your heel into his neck on the left side.

Your right leg bends with the right foot tucked in under the opponent's body. At the same time as you swing your left leg over the opponent's head, start to fall back with the opponent's arm trapped in between your legs. Keeping his arm trapped between your legs start to put on the pressure by raising your hips off the ground. Carefully transfer your grip to his wrist and in combination with the raising of the hips pull his arm against the action of the joint until he submits. To get the right pull against the joint always pull in the direction of the little finger (the opponent's). Make sure that you trap the opponent's arm tightly between your two legs. Note the exact position of my legs in the plates.

Kansetsu-waza (armlocks)

There are two basic ways of applying the armlock. The first against a straight arm, is to straighten it a bit more against the joint and the second against a bent arm is to bend it against the natural range of the arm. In effect, this means that the arm can be locked no matter what position it is in and in fact there are innumerable ways of applying arm locks. I shall describe just two, illustrating the basic methods. The beginner should remember these two basic ways and try to put them into practice at every opportunity.

Kami-shiho-gatame (upper four quarters)

Throw your partner slowly with a shoulder throw so that he lands in front of you on the mat. From here drop to both knees resting your head, on your partner's chest, at the same time letting go with both hands and inserting them under both shoulders of the opponent and down until you catch his belt at both sides. Having caught his belt, pull it up sharply to his chest and clamp in tight with your elbows with the side of your head pressing down tight on the opponent's chest. This is the basic position. Depending on individual preference, you can either kneel with the opponent's head caught tightly between your legs as above or stretch out both legs resting slightly on one side of the opponent's body. As in the first hold, lock in tightly with both arms and keep the same relative positions if your partner moves.

Important points, keep your arms locked in tightly under both the opponent's shoulders and keep the side of your head pressed tightly down on his chest - not his stomach.


Yoko-shiho-gatame (side four holding)

Get your partner to step forward with his right foot and throw him with the ankle sweep using your left foot. Your opponent should land horizontally in front of you. From this position drop instantly down, with your chest bearing down on his. Release your left hand grip and insert it round his neck catching his collar. Pull in strongly with the left arm so that your left shoulder comes against the side of his head. Your right arm can hold in a variety of positions. In this case over the opponent's legs catching his trousers. As in the previous hold, the legs can either be up close in a kneeling position or stretched out straight. Use whichever is effective or comfortable. Study the plates for the positions of the head, arms and legs. There are several variations of this hold but this is the basic one.

Kesa-gatame

(scarfhold)

Move in for tai-otoshi. Do it slowly so that your man just stumbles to the mat in front of you, lying slightly at an angle.

From this position let go with your right hand, drop to the side of your opponent, putting your right arm round his neck. Pull his head up into your body and readjust your left hand grip so that you hold your opponent's right arm under your armpit. Spread your legs wide and keep your own head down. Do not relax your grip on his neck or his right arm. If your partner startsto move round in an attempt to get up, move with him so as to keep the same relative positions.

Should your opponents try to roll you over his body, shoot out your right arm to stop the attempt. Instantly resume your hold on his neck when his escape fails. Rest heavily on your partner's ribs with the part of your body under the armpit where the large back muscle called the latissimus dorsi sticks out. Keep this chest and back contact at all times.