Monday, June 23, 2008

Ju-ji-jime

(cross strangle)

An excellent opportunity for applying this strangle is when you are sitting astride your opponent. As quickly as possible thrust both hands down into the opponent's collar as deep as possible with the thumbs on the inside of his collar. As soon as you have got this deep grip, throw yourself to the side, clamp your man tightly between your legs and pull his head into your body. As you pull him in the crossgrip of your arms you should press into the side of his neck and make him submit. One point to remember is that the opponent even though he is underneath is in exactly the same position to apply the same strangle back to on you. Therefore try to beat him to it.

This ends the section on groundwork. I haven't included many techniques however the ones I have included are the essential ones. The beginner should practise all of them as often as possible until he can do them without dithering.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Kata-ha-jime

(single wing lock)

This lock is applied against the same defensive position as the straight arm lock. In this strangle, insert your left hand under and round the opponent's head to catch his right side collar as deep as possible. As you do this thrust your right arm under the opponent's right arm and down past the back of his head. As you do this, lift his right arm up to apply pressure, pull up strongly with your left hand and shove your right arm deeper past the opponent's head. The thickening of your right forearm will gradually force the opponent's head into the lock. Keep the opponent close to your body and don't give him a chance to unravel his arm right.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Okuri-eri-jime (sliding collar lock)

Quite often your opponent will be on all fours in a defensive position. This gives an excellent opportunity for this strangle. Approach your opponent from the side thrusting your left hand under his chin catching his right collar deep on the other side. As you do this swing your
right leg over the opponent's body and roll over to his right side clamping his body tight between your two legs. As you start to roll over, thrust your right arm under the opponent's right armpit to catch his left lapel. You should now be as in plate 198. To apply the strangle, pull up sharply with your left hand against the opponent's throat. At the same time lock the opponent's body tightly with your legs and pull down with your right hand in the opposite direction to your left hand. Providing you have inserted your left hand deeply in the opponent's collar, the resulting leverage against his throat will cause him to submit. It is essential to get the left hand position as quickly as possible.

Monday, June 09, 2008

Shime-waza

(strangles)

This method of scoring can be done in two ways. Either by cutting off the opponent's wind or the blood to his head. Both take only a few seconds to make a man unconscious. I will describe three methods as actually done in practice.

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Ude-garami

(entangled arm lock)

It often happens that when you try for the scarf-hold your partner will not let you encircle his neck. In this case a variation of the scarf hold is taken by holding under the opponent's left arm. This is a very powerful hold which gives many opportunities for locks and strangles. A good opportunity for the entangled armlock occurs when the opponent's arms flap about in his attempts to escape. If he should reach up for your collar let go with your left arm and catch the opponent's wrist. Push his arm down to the mat and bend it until you can thread your right arm through and catch your own left wrist.

From this position keep the opponent's arm bent and continue to twist the joint by pushing his hand down toward the mat and lifting his elbow. Keep twisting until he submits. This lock can be applied very quickly. Practise it many times until you can get the arm positions right without having to think which arm goes where.