How to do Ude Gatame
0
Ude Gatame·Sampson Judo
How to do Ude Gatame - In this tutorial I am showing you how to do Ude Gatame when Uke is attacking you from between the…
Ude Gatame
SubFamily腕固(Ude Gatame)
TraditionalTranslation: arm hold/lock
Overview
Ude Gatame is a straight arm lock in judo and jujutsu where the attacker controls the opponent's arm in an extended position and applies pressure against the elbow joint using the hands, forearms, or body. [1] Unlike juji gatame (cross arm lock) which uses the hips, ude gatame applies pressure primarily with the arms and upper body against the hyperextended elbow. [1] It is one of the nine officially recognized kansetsu waza (joint techniques) in Kodokan judo and is classified as ude-hishigi-ude-gatame (arm crush arm hold) in the formal nomenclature. [1] The technique can be applied from standing, guard, mount, or side control positions. [2]
Ude-GatameJPUde-Hishigi-Ude-GatameJPStraight Arm LockArm Crush
History & Origin
Effectiveness
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 — Isolating the opponent's arm in full extension and applying downward/inward pressure against the elbow joint
Joints Involved — Opponent's elbow (hyperextension target), attacker's arms (pressure application)
Force Vector — Perpendicular to the opponent's straightened arm — pressing against the elbow joint
Injury Risk — Elbow hyperextension, ligament damage (UCL/LCL)
Position & Entry
From mount — Control opponent's wrist, straighten the arm, apply downward pressure against the elbow
From guard — Isolate the arm in full extension, use both hands to apply pressure against the elbow joint
From standing — Catch an extended arm after a punch, apply wrist control and elbow pressure
Variants
From mount — pressing down on the straightened arm
From guard — pulling the arm into extension
Standing ude gatame — arm bar from a caught punch
Ude-hishigi-ude-gatame — formal Kodokan variation
Videos
ROLLING UDE GATAME
0
Ude Gatame·welcomematstevescott
This video takes a look at a unique way to apply Ude Gatame (Straight Armlock). Thanks to Derrick Darling and Aric Weave…
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
6
High6/10
Elbow hyperextension can cause ligament tears and dislocation.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
IJF Judo— classified as kansetsu waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025PDFIBJJF— Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFUnified MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFFIAS Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The arm must be FULLY extended before applying pressure — partial extension allows escape
✓Control the wrist first, then apply elbow pressure
✓Apply pressure gradually in training — the elbow can hyperextend quickly
✓Can be combined with other arm locks as a chain
Common Mistakes
!Applying pressure before fully extending the arm
!Not controlling the wrist — allows rotation escape
!Applying too much force too quickly in training
!Relying on arm strength alone — use body weight
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1From mount: isolate arm → extend → apply pressure
2Catch a jab → control wrist → straighten arm → ude gatame
3Failed juji gatame → switch to ude gatame on same arm
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
1BookKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, Kodokan Judo, Katame-waza chapter
2BookOtaki, T. & Draeger, D. Judo Formal Techniques. Tuttle Publishing.
[2] Otaki & Draeger, Judo Formal Techniques
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
5OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
6CitationKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, Kodokan Judo, Katame-waza chapter
7CitationOtaki, T. & Draeger, D. Judo Formal Techniques. Tuttle Publishing.
[2] Otaki & Draeger, Judo Formal Techniques
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip strength for wrist control, body positioning for leverage
Key muscles
forearms (grip), shoulders, core
Notes
Ude gatame (arm hold/lock) appears referenced as one of the nine officially recognized kansetsu-waza in Kodokan judo. Its formal name is ude-hishigi-ude-gatame (arm crush arm hold). A straight armlock applied primarily with arm and upper body pressure against the hyperextended elbow. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most important detail when positioning the arm for Ude Gatame?
According to Sampson Judo, you must twist the arm so the thumb points to the ground and fingers point toward the ceiling. If you fail to rotate the arm into this position, the technique will not be effective.
How do I prevent my opponent from escaping the arm lock?
Sampson Judo emphasizes that you must trap the arm with your head and neck—if you stay relaxed, your opponent can easily pull the arm out, but by trapping it firmly with your neck, it becomes impossible to escape.
Should I just grab and pull, or is there a better way to apply Ude Gatame?
Sampson Judo stresses that just grabbing and pulling won't be as effective—instead, you should come over the top with your hand as deep as possible behind the elbow and use your whole body movement to attack the arm, not just your hands.
How should my hands work together when applying this lock?
According to Sampson Judo, do not let go of the arm or separate your hands—your right hand controls the elbow while your other hand assists by pushing down, and this coordinated hand movement combined with body leverage makes the technique come on very quickly and effectively.
How does the Ude Gatame work?
Ude Gatame is a straight arm lock in judo and jujutsu where the attacker controls the opponent's arm in an extended position and applies pressure against the elbow joint using the hands, forearms, or body. Unlike juji gatame (cross arm lock) which uses the hips, ude gatame applies pressure primarily with the arms and upper body against the hyperextended elbow.
Where does the Ude Gatame come from?
Ude Gatame is one of the nine officially recognized kansetsu waza (joint techniques) in Kodokan judo. Its formal name is ude-hishigi-ude-gatame (arm crush arm hold).
Is the Ude Gatame legal in competition?
IJF Judo: Legal: legal — classified as kansetsu waza; IBJJF: Legal at all belt levels {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}; ADCC: Legal {src:ADCC Submission Fighting Rules|/sources/ADCC: legal — Rules-2025.pdf}; FIAS Sport Sambo: Legal {src:FIAS International Sambo Competition Rules|/sources/FIAS: legal — Sambo-Rules.pdf}
How dangerous is the Ude Gatame?
Danger rating 6/10. High — elbow hyperextension can cause ligament tears and dislocation.
How do I set up the Ude Gatame?
The standard setup chain: From mount: isolate arm → extend → apply pressure → Catch a jab → control wrist → straighten arm → ude gatame → Failed juji gatame → switch to ude gatame on same arm.
How do I defend against the Ude Gatame?
Standard counters include: Bend the elbow before pressure is applied / Rotate the arm inward — changes the pressure angle / Bridge and roll — use hips to escape the position.
What are the variants of the Ude Gatame?
Common variants: From mount (pressing down on the straightened arm); From guard (pulling the arm into extension); Standing ude gatame (arm bar from a caught punch); Ude-hishigi-ude-gatame (formal Kodokan variation).
How effective is the Ude Gatame in competition?
Recognized Kodokan judo technique. Used in IJF World Championships and Olympic judo competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Ude Gatame?
Top errors to watch for: Applying pressure before fully extending the arm / Not controlling the wrist — allows rotation escape / Applying too much force too quickly in training / Relying on arm strength alone — use body weight.
What are other names for the Ude Gatame?
The Ude Gatame is also known as Ude Gatame, Ude-Gatame, Ude-Hishigi-Ude-Gatame, Straight Arm Lock, Arm Crush.