- 4th Kai, white belt with a green stripe, JudoScotland
- 5th Kai, white belt with a blue stripe, JudoScotland
- 6th Kai, white belt with a purple stripe, JudoScotland
- 3rd Mon, red belt, British Judo Association
- 13th Mon, blue belt, British Judo Association
- 6th Kyu, red belt, JudoScotland
- 2nd Kyu, blue belt, JudoScotland
- 2nd Dan, black belt, British Judo Association
- 3rd Dan, black belt, British Judo Association
- 4th Dan, black belt, British Judo Association
- 5th Dan, black belt, British Judo Association
Demonstrations
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Step by step
The whole movement in words, so no part of it depends on watching a video. Described in the standard right-handed form.
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.
- Your partner lies on their back; take the scarf-hold position at their right side, hip to their ribs, facing their head.
- Instead of wrapping their neck, drive your right arm underneath their left armpit and grip cloth at the shoulder, or reach the mat beyond, so your arm threads under their far shoulder.
- With your left hand, trap their right arm under your left armpit and pin it to your side.
- Spread your legs wide, one forward and one back, and keep your chest heavy on theirs.
- This version frees their head but controls the shoulder line; as they turn towards you or away, shift your hips around the compass while the chest pressure never lifts.
Receiving it
The weight is the same as the scarf hold but your head is free and their arm is threaded under your far shoulder, which makes the shoulder line feel nailed down. Escapes go through your hips: bridge, turn towards them, work an elbow inside. Keep breathing low and steady; the hold defeats panic before it defeats strength. Tap clearly if you are stuck and need to stop.
About this technique
Kesa-gatame with the arm under uke's shoulder instead of around the neck: harder to escape from and the version most used in contest.
Key points
- Drive your arm under uke's far shoulder, not around the neck
- Stay chest-to-chest with your weight through uke
- Adjust your base constantly as uke bridges and turns
hold-downs
In combinations, counters and transitions
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