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    Juji-gatame

    十字固 · じゅうじがため · cross armlock · said JOO-jee gah-TAH-meh

    The Kodokan calls this Ude-hishigi-juji-gatame (腕挫十字固).

    Also known as armbar (BJJ)

    About this techniqueJump to step by stepPlain text version

    Demonstrations

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    Juji-gatame illustration

    About this technique

    The cross armlock: uke's extended arm is levered across tori's hips, the whole body bending the elbow against its hinge. The most successful armlock in competition judo. Kansetsu-waza are restricted by age in most federations; learn and practise this only under instruction.

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    A technique to stretch and lock the opponent’s elbow joint by grabbing his right wrist with both hands from the right side of the opponent lying on his back and holding his upper arm between both thighs.
    The Kodokan's definition

    Key points

    1. Sit close: your hips against their shoulder, no space under the arm
    2. Knees pinched together, their thumb pointing to the ceiling
    3. Lift your hips gently to apply; release the instant they tap

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    grappling techniques

    At a glance

    , classification, Gokyo set, Kodokan number, contest rules, grades that require it
    What it is
    Katame-waza (grappling techniques).
    Kodokan number
    802 (JGT).
    Contest rules
    No rule singles it out.
    Also written
    Ude-hishigi-juji-gatame.
    Required for

    Step by step

    These steps describe the standard right-handed form without relying on the video.

    1. Your partner lies on their back; you are beside their right shoulder, controlling their right arm with both of yours, hugging it to your chest.
    2. Place your left leg over their head and your right leg over their chest, then sit down close, your hips tight against their right shoulder: there must be no space between your hips and their arm.
    3. Lie back, keeping the arm hugged to your chest with their thumb turned towards the ceiling, your knees pinched together over the arm.
    4. Keep both of your legs heavy: the leg over their head stops them sitting up, the leg over their chest stops them rolling towards you.
    5. Apply the lock by lifting your hips gently upward against the back of their elbow while the arm stays hugged straight. The pressure builds gradually; there is never a jerk.
    6. The moment they tap, lower your hips and release the arm completely. In practice, apply only under instruction and within your federation's age rules.

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    Receiving it

    Your partner controls your arm and places one leg over your head and one across your chest. As their hips lift, a straightening pressure builds at the back of your elbow. Tap clearly, on them or the mat, at the first feeling of pressure; elbow injuries can occur before the pain becomes severe. Never snatch the arm out with a twist; if your partner releases, come out calmly.

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    VI judo notes

    Every checkpoint here is a contact, which is why armlocks travel so well into VI judo. Hips tight to their shoulder with no gap, both knees pinched over the arm, their thumb turned up in your hands. Lift the hips slowly and keep your head near the trapped arm so you can hear the tap as well as feel it, then lower and release the arm completely.

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    In competition

    , how often it scores at IJF level, and two contests where it worked

    Senior IJF competition, 2020 to 2026, from 73,099 contests. Counts scores, not attempts.

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    In combinations, counters and transitions

    , 1 recorded, 24 awaiting review

    24 more pairs involving it are recorded and awaiting review before they get a page. A video that shows one of them is what gets it reviewed: suggest one.

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    Reference pages elsewhere

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