Jujitsu waza - Yoko shiho gatame to Hiza hishigi juji gatame
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Hiza-Gatame From Standing·Gene Silverstrand
http://www.silverstranddojo.com/ This video is an instructional video that deals with Hiza hishigi juji gatame of juj…
Hiza-Gatame From Standing
Genus膝固め（立ちから）(Hiza-gatame (Tachi kara))
TraditionalTranslation: knee hold from standing
Overview
Hiza-gatame from standing is a standing armbar where the attacker uses the knee as the fulcrum point against the back of the opponent's elbow, pulling the wrist downward while driving the knee upward to hyperextend the joint. [1],[2] The knee provides a sharp, focused pressure point that makes this one of the most efficient standing arm locks in terms of force generation relative to effort. [1] The attacker typically secures the technique from a wrist control or arm-drag position where the opponent's arm is already extended. [1],[2]
History & Origin
Hiza-gatame (膝固, knee hold) is a Kodokan judo kansetsu-waza using the knee as the fulcrum for standing elbow hyperextension. [1],[2] The technique is found across multiple Japanese martial arts including aikido, where it is applied as part of the standing joint lock curriculum. [1] In law enforcement and military combatives, hiza-gatame provides a rapid standing arm-break option that can be applied from a clinch or arm-control position without going to the ground. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
Standing hiza-gatame applies the knee armlock from an upright position, typically during a scramble. [1]
Lineage
Standing hiza-gatame is part of judo's tachi-waza armlock system. [1]
Competition Record
Standing hiza-gatame occasionally appears in judo competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Hyperextension of the elbow joint — the hips drive upward against the posterior humerus while controlling the wrist
Joints Involved — Elbow (extension beyond normal ROM), wrist (stabilized), shoulder (isolated and controlled)
Force Vector — Posterior-to-anterior force on the upper arm with fixed distal anchor at the wrist creates a lever arm across the elbow
Leverage Principle — Hips act as the fulcrum — the longer the lever (full arm extension), the less force needed to hyperextend
Position & Entry
From guard — Control the wrist and posture, pivot hips perpendicular, throw leg over the head and extend hips to hyperextend the elbow
From mount — Isolate the arm, transition to S-mount or perpendicular, swing leg over and finish
From side control — Step over the head, isolate the near arm, fall back into the armbar position
Variants
Standard armbar — hips drive upward against the extended arm with legs clamping the shoulder
Belly-down armbar — rolling to face the mat to prevent the opponent from stacking
S-mount armbar — transitioned from S-mount position for tighter control before falling back
Spinning armbar — rapid pivot from guard or side to catch the arm during transition
Videos
TATE SHIHO GATAME TO UDE GARAMI Pin and Armlock
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Hiza-Gatame From Standing·welcomematstevescott
This video shows how to apply Tate Shiho Gatame (vertical 4 Corner Hold) and finish your opponent with Ude Garami (Arm E…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
Hiza-gatame from standing, as taught in these instructional contexts, represents a transition from a top control position (tate shiho gatame) into an arm lock submission. According to welcomematstevescott, the technique emphasizes maintaining positional control before executing the submission. The practitioner first establishes a stable base by posting with the legs while keeping the opponent's head controlled to prevent escape; premature lifting of the opponent's arm creates opportunities for escape. The submission itself—termed ude garami (arm lock)—is set up by sliding across the opponent's body after securing the wrist, with weight shifted to maintain stability throughout the transition. The instructor stresses that control should remain intimate with the opponent's body to execute the lock effectively. The broader context involves holding the opponent on their back or backside for 20 seconds (per judo rules) while simultaneously setting up the submission, making the pin both a time-based hold and a positioning device for the finish. Gene Silverstrand's video provides visual demonstration of the technique but lacks detailed verbal instruction in the available transcript. Both instructors implicitly agree on the importance of maintaining contact and control during the transition from standing position into the arm lock.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- welcomematstevescott — TATE SHIHO GATAME TO UDE GARAMI Pin and Armlock: Detailed breakdown of the transition mechanics, emphasis on head control before arm lock entry, posting stability, weight shifting, and the purpose of maintaining control for both time and submission objectives.
- Gene Silverstrand — Jujitsu waza - Yoko shiho gatame to Hiza hishigi juji gatame: Visual demonstration of the technique with emphasis on proper positioning and form (limited detailed verbal instruction available in transcript).
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Hiza-gatame (knee armlock) uses the knee as a fulcrum point against the elbow
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— kansetsu-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal submission technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The standing hiza-gatame applies the knee-press armlock during standing grappling or transition to ground — catching an extended arm with the knee as the fighters change levels (Kashiwazaki, Osaekomi, 1997)
✓The standing entry: catch the opponent's extended arm, drop your knee onto or behind the elbow, and control the wrist — your weight drives through the knee into the arm
✓This technique appears during judo competition when a standing fighter drives an opponent to the ground — the transition creates arm extension opportunities
✓Standing hiza-gatame works particularly well when the opponent posts their arm to prevent a throw: the posted arm extends, and the attacker's knee drops onto it
✓The drop must be controlled: the knee targets the elbow precisely while the body maintains balance — a wild drop misses the arm
✓Standing hiza-gatame transitions to ground attacks: if the knee press doesn't finish, continue into osaekomi (pinning) or juji-gatame
✓The technique is efficient: minimal positional change is required — the attacker simply redirects their knee to the opponent's arm during the normal transition to groundwork
Common Mistakes
!Dropping the knee without wrist control — the arm will retract if the wrist isn't secured first
!Missing the elbow joint with the knee — the drop must be precise; the knee on the upper arm or forearm doesn't create the lock
!Dropping too hard — controlled weight placement is better than a wild knee drop that misses or injures
!Not transitioning when the opponent pulls the arm away — if the arm retracts, flow to the next technique; don't chase
!Losing top position after the failed attempt — maintain positional advantage regardless of whether the lock works
!Not timing the entry with the transition — the arm is vulnerable during position changes; apply during the transition, not after the opponent has settled
!Using hiza-gatame when juji-gatame is available — if you can get the full armbar position, take it; hiza-gatame is for when the full armbar isn't accessible
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Control the Arm — isolate and grip the target arm
2Position the Hips — align hips perpendicular to the arm for maximum leverage
3Pinch Knees — squeeze knees together to prevent arm extraction
4Extend for the Finish — bridge hips up while pulling the wrist down to hyperextend the elbow
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification
Kodokan hiza-gatame + positional modifier
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification
Kodokan hiza-gatame + positional modifier
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, hip bridge power, leg clamping strength
Favours
long legs for controlling the opponent's torso
Key muscles
hip extensors (glutes), adductors, quadriceps, hamstrings
Notes
Standing hiza gatame applies the knee arm lock while standing — the attacker places their knee against the opponent's extended elbow and applies leverage. Quick application from standing exchanges. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I maintain control of my opponent's arm when transitioning from the pin to the armlock?
Keep continuous contact with the arm and trap it quickly without lifting it too high, which gives your opponent a chance to escape. Welcome Mat Steve Scott emphasizes maintaining this connection throughout the transition to prevent them from getting out.
What should I do with my weight positioning when setting up the armlock from the pin?
Shift your weight and post with your legs strategically—posting on one side during the pin and then posting on the other side as you slide across to form the armlock. This weight transfer helps you maintain control and apply pressure effectively.
How does the Hiza-Gatame From Standing work?
Hiza-gatame from standing is a standing armbar where the attacker uses the knee as the fulcrum point against the back of the opponent's elbow, pulling the wrist downward while driving the knee upward to hyperextend the joint. The knee provides a sharp, focused pressure point that makes this one of the most efficient standing arm locks in terms of force generation relative to effort.
Where does the Hiza-Gatame From Standing come from?
Hiza-gatame (膝固, knee hold) is a Kodokan judo kansetsu-waza using the knee as the fulcrum for standing elbow hyperextension. The technique is found across multiple Japanese martial arts including aikido, where it is applied as part of the standing joint lock curriculum.
Is the Hiza-Gatame From Standing legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; IJF: banned — Only elbow joint locks (kansetsu-waza) permitted in judo — all other joint lo…; ADCC: legal — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC; Unified MMA: legal — Legal submission technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Hiza-Gatame From Standing?
Danger rating 7/10. Hiza-gatame (knee armlock) uses the knee as a fulcrum point against the elbow
How do I set up the Hiza-Gatame From Standing?
The standard setup chain: Control the Arm → Position the Hips → Pinch Knees → Extend for the Finish.
How do I defend against the Hiza-Gatame From Standing?
Standard counters include: Clasp Hands — grip own wrist to prevent arm extension / Stack — drive forward to compress the attacker and relieve elbow pressure / Hitchhiker Escape — rotate the thumb toward the mat and roll to extract the arm.
What are the variants of the Hiza-Gatame From Standing?
Common variants: Standard armbar (hips drive upward against the extended arm with legs clam…); Belly-down armbar (rolling to face the mat to prevent the opponent from stac…); S-mount armbar (transitioned from S-mount position for tighter control be…); Spinning armbar (rapid pivot from guard or side to catch the arm during tr…).
How effective is the Hiza-Gatame From Standing in competition?
Standing hiza-gatame occasionally appears in judo competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Hiza-Gatame From Standing?
Top errors to watch for: Dropping the knee without wrist control — the arm will retract if the wrist isn't secured first / Missing the elbow joint with the knee — the drop must be precise; the knee on the upper arm or forearm doesn't create… / Dropping too hard — controlled weight placement is better than a wild knee drop that misses or injures / Not transitioning when the opponent pulls the arm away — if the arm retracts, flow to the next technique; don't chase.
What are other names for the Hiza-Gatame From Standing?
The Hiza-Gatame From Standing is also known as Hiza-gatame (Tachi kara), Standing Hiza-Gatame, Standing Knee Armlock.