UKI GATAME TO JUJI GATAME
0
Uki Gatame·welcomematstevescott
Uki Gatame (Straddle Hold or Pin) is a strong hold for time, but is also a good set up for Juji Gatame (Cross-Body Armlo…
Uki Gatame
SubFamily浮固(Uki Gatame)
TraditionalTranslation: floating hold
Overview
Uki Gatame is a judo hold-down where the attacker controls the opponent from a floating position — lying across the opponent's chest without heavy body contact, using arm and leg control to maintain the pin. [1] Unlike the heavy pressure of Kesa Gatame, Uki Gatame uses skeletal alignment and positioning to maintain control with minimal energy expenditure. [1]
Uki-GatameJPFloating HoldUkigatame
History & Origin
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus. [1]
Effectiveness
An energy-efficient hold that allows the attacker to maintain control while conserving strength. [1] Less commonly used as a scoring pin in competition but valuable as a transitional position. In BJJ, the floating concept appears in various top positions where pressure is applied through angles rather than weight. [1]
Lineage
Kodokan judo lineage: Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) systematized this technique as part of the Kodokan judo curriculum. Transmitted through the Kodokan instructor system to judo federations worldwide. Adopted into BJJ through Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie → the Gracie family lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Recognized Kodokan judo technique. Used in IJF World Championships and Olympic judo competition. Frequency varies by weight class and era. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Floating across the opponent's chest using skeletal alignment rather than weight pressure
Joints Involved — Extended arms (controlling distance and angle), hips (light placement), legs (balancing counterweight)
Force Vector — Minimal downward pressure — control through positioning and arm/leg placement rather than body weight
Position & Entry
From side control — Extend body across opponent's chest with arms controlling far side and legs providing counter-balance
After a throw — Land in a floating position across the opponent
Variants
Tight Uki Gatame — closer body contact for more pressure
Extended Uki Gatame — maximum reach for control against larger opponents
Transitional Uki Gatame — using the float as a transition between other holds
Videos
JUDO: Uki-Gatame 柔道：浮固（抑込技）
0
Uki Gatame·KOMLOCK 柔道 JAPAN
「浮固」は国際規定（IJFルール）でのみ認められている抑込技です。 この技は十字固めとの相性がよく、最終的には殆どの場合、十字固で極まります。 十字固めを取りかけているけど、相手の防御が強くて極めれないときに移行してください。 JUDO …
2 videos
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Pinning position.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
IJF Judo— Kodokan classified technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025PDFUnified MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFTraining Notes
✓This hold uses POSITIONING not pressure — you control through skeletal alignment
✓Arms and legs must create a balanced frame across the opponent
✓Don't lie heavy — the 'floating' quality allows faster transitions if the opponent escapes
✓Practice flowing between Uki Gatame and other holds
Common Mistakes
!Trying to use body weight like Kesa Gatame — defeats the purpose of the floating hold
!Not maintaining arm/leg balance — easy to be rolled
!Staying too long — this is often a transitional hold, not a permanent pin
!Losing the control frame — arms and legs must stay active
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Throw → land in floating position across chest → Uki Gatame
2Transition from Kesa Gatame → extend body into floating hold
3Passing guard → settle into Uki Gatame before consolidating heavier pin
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
1BookKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
Community
Athletics
Requires
body awareness, balance, ability to control through positioning
Key muscles
core (maintaining float), arms (frame control), legs (counter-balance)
Notes
Uki gatame (floating hold) is a Kodokan judo pinning technique where the attacker controls from a position similar to an armbar setup. It is one of the seven osaekomi-waza (pinning techniques) recognized by the Kodokan. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uki gatame count as a time hold?
Yes, uki gatame does count as a time hold. Since you're controlling your opponent's body and they can't get up, you can hold them there and run out the clock if they aren't fighting too much.
What's the proper hand placement when setting up uki gatame?
When going for the straddle hold, grab your opponent's thigh rather than the belt—both work well, but the thigh gives you better control. Make sure to keep your back leg close enough that you can swing it up quickly if you need to shift into juji gatame.
How do I maintain control once I'm in uki gatame?
Sit right on your opponent's torso, literally on the diaphragm, and shift your weight back and forth to keep them where you want. Trap their arm tightly to your chest and keep your leg across their torso for added control.
Can I use uki gatame as a setup for other techniques?
Yes—uki gatame works as a setup for juji gatame, which is the most common finish from this position. You can also use it as a fake by threatening the straddle hold, letting your opponent react, and then sitting back into juji gatame.
How does the Uki Gatame work?
Uki Gatame is a judo hold-down where the attacker controls the opponent from a floating position — lying across the opponent's chest without heavy body contact, using arm and leg control to maintain the pin. Unlike the heavy pressure of Kesa Gatame, Uki Gatame uses skeletal alignment and positioning to maintain control with minimal energy expenditure.
Where does the Uki Gatame come from?
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus.
Is the Uki Gatame legal in competition?
IJF Judo: Legal: legal — Kodokan classified technique; IBJJF: Legal {src:IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024|/sources/IBJJF: legal — Rules-v6.0-June-2024.pdf}; Unified MMA: Legal {src:Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025|/sources/Unified: legal — MMA-Rules-August-2025.pdf}; FIAS Sambo: Legal {src:FIAS International Sambo Competition Rules|/sources/FIAS: legal — Sambo-Rules.pdf}
How dangerous is the Uki Gatame?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — pinning position.
How do I set up the Uki Gatame?
The standard setup chain: Throw → land in floating position across chest → Uki Gatame → Transition from Kesa Gatame → extend body into floating hold → Passing guard → settle into Uki Gatame before consolidating heavier pin.
How do I defend against the Uki Gatame?
Standard counters include: Bridge aggressively — the light pressure can be overcome with a strong bridge / Create frames — push against the floating body / Turn into the attacker — the light contact allows rotation.
What are the variants of the Uki Gatame?
Common variants: Tight Uki Gatame (closer body contact for more pressure); Extended Uki Gatame (maximum reach for control against larger opponents); Transitional Uki Gatame (using the float as a transition between other holds).
How effective is the Uki Gatame in competition?
Recognized Kodokan judo technique. Used in IJF World Championships and Olympic judo competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Uki Gatame?
Top errors to watch for: Trying to use body weight like Kesa Gatame — defeats the purpose of the floating hold / Not maintaining arm/leg balance — easy to be rolled / Staying too long — this is often a transitional hold, not a permanent pin / Losing the control frame — arms and legs must stay active.
What are other names for the Uki Gatame?
The Uki Gatame is also known as Uki Gatame, Uki-Gatame, Floating Hold, Ukigatame.