Escapes · getting out from underneath
Escape from Yoko-shiho-gatame into Sankaku-gatame
An escape that ends ahead rather than merely free: as the side hold is settled, the bottom judoka swings their legs up, closes a triangle around the holder’s head and near arm, and finishes holding rather than being held. Senior material, because the finishing position is an armlock.
Demonstrations
Ordered by provider, player included. Choose your own order.
Every provider with a demonstration here is hidden in your provider settings.
Seen a better demonstration? Suggest a video
Key points
- Make space first: frame on the hip and turn to your side
- Swing the far leg high over their head, not their back
- Close the triangle and control before you think about finishing
Step by step
Left-handed: these steps are written right-handed, as the syllabuses write them. Read every left as a right and every right as a left, and the throw is yours.
- You are under Yoko-shiho-gatame, your partner’s chest across yours from your right side.
- Turn onto your right side and push your left forearm against their hip to make a hand’s width of space.
- Free your left leg and swing it high over their head, so the back of your knee reaches the back of their neck.
- Hook your left foot behind your right knee, closing your legs into a triangle around their head and right arm.
- Squeeze and straighten your body: they cannot hold you while their own head and arm are trapped, and the position becomes Sankaku-gatame with the roles reversed.
- Apply nothing quickly: the trapped arm is an armlock, and it ends the moment they tap.
From the other side
You feel the hold loosen at the hip, then a leg passes your head and closes behind your neck with your arm inside it. Posture up the instant the leg swings; once the triangle closes, concentrate on freeing the trapped arm and tap early if it starts to straighten.