Waki Gatame - when and how to use it.
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Waki-Gatame·Robert Silas (Aiki_and_Jiu)
Waki Gatame - when and how to use it. There are a lot of traditional judo example videos on waki gatame, and I’m sure @…
Waki-Gatame
SubFamily脇固め(Waki-gatame)
TraditionalTranslation: armpit hold
Overview
Waki-gatame (脇固め, 'armpit hold') is a standing or ground armlock where the opponent's extended arm is trapped under the attacker's armpit, and downward pressure is applied to hyperextend the elbow. [1],[2] The attacker catches the opponent's wrist or forearm, tucks it under the armpit, and uses body weight or a dropping motion to straighten and hyper-extend the elbow against the armpit as a fulcrum. [1] Waki-gatame is notable for its speed — it can be applied in a single explosive motion during standing exchanges, making it one of the fastest arm locks. [1],[3]
History & Origin
Waki-gatame is a classical Kodokan Judo kansetsu-waza that is somewhat restricted in judo competition due to its speed and injury potential — dropping into waki-gatame while standing is considered dangerous. [2],[3] In aikido, a similar armpit-fulcrum arm lock is practiced as ikkyo or variations thereof. [1] The technique appears in self-defense and law enforcement systems worldwide. [1]
Effectiveness
Waki-gatame (armpit armlock) traps the opponent's arm under the attacker's armpit and applies downward pressure to hyperextend the elbow. [1]
Lineage
Waki-gatame is a classical judo armlock, though it is currently banned in IJF competition due to its dangerous rapid application. [1]
Competition Record
Waki-gatame is banned in IJF judo competition but remains legal in BJJ, MMA, and other grappling formats. [1]
Images
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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 top position — Isolate the arm, control the wrist, and apply hyperextension pressure against the elbow using body positioning
From guard — Secure wrist control, pivot to create the angle, and apply elbow hyperextension from the bottom position
Videos
Waki Gatame into Ura Oni Kudaki - Yossi Sheriff in Madrid
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Waki-Gatame·AKBAN Ninjutsu – Yossi Sheriff
From the Madrid 2020 seminar in Tonobu dojo - Yossi Sheriff, AKBAN Academy founder, first explains breaking the elbow, …
Katame Waza || Grappling Techniques - 32 Holds, Strangles/Chokes and Armlocks
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Waki-Gatame·The Judo Way of Life
* An updated summary of all the Osaekomi Waza (Pinning Techniques), now including the Japanese names spoken: https://yo…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Waki-gatame is a traditional elbow lock found across judo, jiu-jitsu, and ninjutsu curricula, though its application and effectiveness vary by context. Robert Silas (Aiki_and_Jiu) provides the most detailed technical breakdown, explaining that waki-gatame begins by stepping behind or to the side of an opponent, throwing the arm over the top and squeezing tightly in the armpit to create a standing joint lock. He notes it is banned in judo tournaments as a standing lock due to safety concerns, but remains viable in self-defense and ground positions. Silas emphasizes that against trained opponents in randori, the technique's standing form is rarely effective because practitioners instinctively protect their arms; instead, he advocates using the initial waki-gatame attempt to create kazushi (off-balance), allowing transitions into sacrifice throws or ground pins. He details ground variations where the shoulder is pinned with the opponent's palm facing upward, requiring angle changes and forward pressure to force submission. Yossi Sheriff (AKBAN Ninjutsu) demonstrates waki-gatame as part of a combination flowing into ura oni kudaki, stressing dangerous arm mechanics that can fracture the head or break the eardrum if applied with force, and emphasizing controlled dojo practice versus street applications. Sheriff highlights proper leg positioning and immobilization angles as critical to safe execution. The Judo Way of Life video provides minimal technical content beyond categorizing the technique within katame waza (grappling techniques).
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Aiki_and_Jiu — Waki Gatame - when and how to use it.: Detailed technical explanation of standing waki-gatame from a push, its ineffectiveness against trained opponents, transition to sacrifice throws via kazushi, and ground variations using shoulder pinning and angle changes.
- AKBAN Ninjutsu – Yossi Sheriff — Waki Gatame into Ura Oni Kudaki - Yossi Sheriff in Madrid: Demonstration of waki-gatame as part of a combination, emphasis on dangerous arm mechanics and potential injury (head fracture, eardrum damage), proper leg positioning, and distinction between controlled dojo and street applications.
- The Judo Way of Life — Katame Waza || Grappling Techniques - 32 Holds, Strangles/Chokes and Armlocks: Classification of waki-gatame within judo's katame waza category; minimal specific technique instruction provided.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Waki-gatame (armpit armlock) applies sudden force and is considered one of the most dangerous armlocks in judo
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
✓Waki-gatame (armpit armlock) traps the opponent's arm under the attacker's armpit and hyperextends the elbow using body weight and rotation — one of judo's most effective standing armlocks (Kashiwazaki, Osaekomi, 1997)
✓The mechanic: the opponent's wrist is secured while their elbow is positioned against the attacker's armpit — the attacker then drops, rotates, or arches to hyperextend
✓Waki-gatame is classified as a standing armlock: it is typically applied during grip fighting or when the opponent extends an arm for a throw attempt
✓The technique was banned in judo competition (IJF rules) due to the speed and severity of application — it hyperextends the elbow explosively
✓In BJJ, MMA, and catch wrestling, waki-gatame remains a highly effective technique — particularly during scrambles and transitions
✓The armpit provides a tight, secure fulcrum: the arm is locked in place with nowhere to escape while the body weight creates the extension force
✓Waki-gatame has numerous entries: from grip fighting, from failed throws, from standing clinch, and from ground transitions where the opponent reaches out
Common Mistakes
!Applying explosively without control — waki-gatame can break the elbow instantly; always apply with control in training
!Not securing the wrist before committing — the wrist must be locked against the chest before the drop or rotation
!Attempting when the arm is bent — the arm must be relatively straight for the armpit to serve as an effective fulcrum
!Not using body weight — waki-gatame finishes through body weight and gravity; arm strength alone is insufficient
!Dropping without controlling the opponent's base — if the opponent follows you down in a controlled way, the lock weakens
!Not transitioning to the ground finish — if the standing waki-gatame doesn't tap, follow to the ground and continue
!Applying from the wrong angle — the arm must be aligned with the armpit; an angled arm can rotate and escape
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 — Waki-gatame (脇固め) classification
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 — Waki-gatame (脇固め) classification
Community
Athletics
Requires
fine motor control, grip sensitivity, quick hand transitions
Favours
dexterous hands with strong fingers
Key muscles
forearm flexors and extensors, intrinsic hand muscles
Sub-techniques
Notes
Waki gatame (armpit arm lock) is a Kodokan judo technique — the attacker traps the opponent's arm under their armpit and applies pressure against the elbow. One of the nine officially recognized kansetsu-waza. Can be applied standing or on the ground. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use kuzushi (balance breaking) to set up waki-gatame?
According to Robert Silas, pulling your opponent forward creates kazushi—they naturally sit back in response. If you push them back, they sit forward. By pulling forward with an overhand grip during the initial arm throw, you break their balance and create the opportunity to sit behind them for the technique.
What should I do if my opponent doesn't leave their arm turned over?
Robert Silas explains that against a trained opponent who keeps their arm defended, you should abandon trying to enter into a walking atami and instead use the kuzushi to sit behind them, then work to isolate and control the arm from that position.
How do you finish waki-gatame once you've isolated the arm?
Robert Silas teaches that you should block your opponent's face and drop your shoulder while scooting your foot out to isolate the arm, then take a big step while maintaining shoulder pressure. You can finish by dropping your weight on their shoulder with your triceps across their face, or transition to chokes or other submissions.
How does the Waki-Gatame work?
Waki-gatame (脇固め, 'armpit hold') is a standing or ground armlock where the opponent's extended arm is trapped under the attacker's armpit, and downward pressure is applied to hyperextend the elbow. The attacker catches the opponent's wrist or forearm, tucks it under the armpit, and uses body weight or a dropping motion to straighten and hyper-extend the elbow against the armpit as a fulcrum.
Where does the Waki-Gatame come from?
Waki-gatame is a classical Kodokan Judo kansetsu-waza that is somewhat restricted in judo competition due to its speed and injury potential — dropping into waki-gatame while standing is considered dangerous. In aikido, a similar armpit-fulcrum arm lock is practiced as ikkyo or variations thereof.
Is the Waki-Gatame 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 Waki-Gatame?
Danger rating 8/10. Waki-gatame (armpit armlock) applies sudden force and is considered one of the most dangerous armlocks in judo
How do I set up the Waki-Gatame?
The standard setup chain: Control the Arm → Position the Hips → Pinch Knees → Extend for the Finish.
How do I defend against the Waki-Gatame?
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 Waki-Gatame?
Common variants: Standard wrist lock (kote gaeshi) (two-handed rotational lock on the wrist); Gooseneck wrist lock (flexion lock bending the wrist down toward the forearm); Standing wrist lock (applied during grip fighting or a standing exchange); Ground wrist lock (catching the opponent's posted hand from mount, side cont…).
How effective is the Waki-Gatame in competition?
Waki-gatame is banned in IJF judo competition but remains legal in BJJ, MMA, and other grappling formats.
What are common mistakes when doing the Waki-Gatame?
Top errors to watch for: Applying explosively without control — waki-gatame can break the elbow instantly; always apply with control in training / Not securing the wrist before committing — the wrist must be locked against the chest before the drop or rotation / Attempting when the arm is bent — the arm must be relatively straight for the armpit to serve as an effective fulcrum / Not using body weight — waki-gatame finishes through body weight and gravity; arm strength alone is insufficient.
What are other names for the Waki-Gatame?
The Waki-Gatame is also known as Waki-gatame, Side Arm Lock, Armpit Hold, Standing Armbar.