WAKI GATAME By John Saylor
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Waki-Gatame From Standing·welcomematstevescott
Waki Gatame (Armpit Lock) is an effective armlock used in many fighting sports. In this video, Coach John Saylor teaches…
Waki-Gatame From Standing
Genus脇固め（立ちから）(Waki-gatame (Tachi kara))
TraditionalTranslation: armpit hold from standing
Overview
Waki-gatame from standing is a standing armbar where the attacker traps the opponent's arm under their own armpit and applies downward pressure to hyperextend the elbow joint, using the armpit as the fulcrum. [1],[2] The attacker secures the wrist with both hands, clamps the upper arm under the armpit, and drops their body weight or turns to generate the extension force. [1] Waki-gatame is one of the fastest standing arm locks to apply, often catching opponents during transitions or when they extend an arm to post or push. [1],[2]
History & Origin
Waki-gatame (腋固, armpit hold) is one of the original Kodokan judo kansetsu-waza and is also a core technique in aikido's nikyo and sankyo series. [1],[2] In judo competition, waki-gatame was restricted in some rulesets due to the speed at which it can be applied and the injury risk involved, particularly when executed as a standing sacrifice technique. [1] The technique remains widely taught in self-defense, law enforcement, and traditional martial arts. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
Standing waki-gatame applies the armpit lock from an upright position, often catching the arm during a failed grab. [1]
Lineage
Standing waki-gatame was part of judo's tachi-waza before being restricted due to injury risk. [1]
Competition Record
Standing waki-gatame is banned in IJF competition but appears in MMA and catch wrestling events. [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
Waki Gatame - when and how to use it.
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Waki-Gatame From Standing·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 @…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
Waki-gatame from standing is a traditional jiu-jitsu and judo technique that capitalizes on transitional moments when an opponent is turning or changing position. According to welcomematstevescott, the technique involves positioning the upper chest on the opponent's tricep to eliminate movement, then pulling the lower arm toward one's chest. When the opponent resists by bending their arm, the practitioner can transition to an uchi-garami (underhook shoulder lock) by placing the wrist in the crook of the elbow and applying a gable grip, using body rotation rather than arm strength to create pressure. Robert Silas (Aiki_and_Jiu) emphasizes that waki-gatame is banned in judo tournaments as a standing joint lock but demonstrates its application from self-defense scenarios and its relationship to standing sacrifice throws and ground pins. Silas notes that against trained opponents, the standing lock alone is difficult to achieve; instead, practitioners can exploit the opponent's defensive pull using kuzushi principles to execute throws or transitions to ground control. Both instructors stress precise arm isolation and angle adjustment as critical to effectiveness. Welcomematstevescott prioritizes partner safety, advocating gradual pressure application to avoid injury during repeated drilling, while Silas explores the technique's versatility across standing, transitional, and ground positions, particularly from turtle guard positions.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- welcomematstevescott — WAKI GATAME By John Saylor: Detailed mechanics of the standing waki-gatame setup, chest-on-tricep positioning, uchi-garami transition, and partner safety protocols during training repetitions.
- Robert Silas (Aiki_and_Jiu) — Waki Gatame - when and how to use it.: Context for waki-gatame in self-defense and judo, analysis of effectiveness against trained opponents, kuzushi principles, transitions to throws and ground finishes, and ground-based pin variations from turtle position.
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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
✓The standing waki-gatame catches an extended arm during grip fighting and applies the armpit lock with a controlled drop or rotation — the classic standing armlock of judo (Kashiwazaki, Osaekomi, 1997)
✓Entry: as the opponent reaches for a grip or pushes with a straight arm, the attacker captures the wrist, tucks the arm under the armpit, and turns away from the opponent
✓The rotation is key: the attacker's body turns 180 degrees, placing the back toward the opponent while the arm is trapped — the rotation creates the hyperextension
✓The standing finish drops the attacker's weight onto the arm: sitting down or kneeling while maintaining the armpit lock applies devastating force
✓Standing waki-gatame was a signature technique in competitive judo before its restriction — its speed made it difficult to defend
✓The technique works best against stiff-armed opponents: those who push or reach with extended arms are vulnerable to the capture and turn
✓In MMA, standing waki-gatame appears during clinch breaks and when opponents push off from the cage — the extended arm creates the opportunity
Common Mistakes
!Turning too slowly — the 180-degree rotation must be fast; a slow turn gives the opponent time to retract the arm
!Not controlling the wrist during the turn — the wrist must stay secured throughout the rotation; losing it releases the lock
!Over-rotating and losing the arm — turn exactly 180 degrees; over-rotation changes the angle and the arm may escape
!Not dropping weight to finish — the standing position alone may not finish; sitting or kneeling adds the decisive force
!Applying against a bent arm — the arm must be extended for waki-gatame to work; don't force it against a bent elbow
!Not following to the ground — if the opponent drops but doesn't tap, transition to ground ne-waza while maintaining the lock
!Using excessive speed in training — waki-gatame is banned in judo precisely because of injury risk; always control the application speed
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 + 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 waki-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 waki gatame is one of the few standing arm locks in the Kodokan system — the attacker catches an extended arm and locks it under the armpit while standing. Quick to apply but requires precise timing to catch the arm in extension. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I isolate the elbow in waki-gatame to prevent my opponent from escaping?
You need to lean forward with your ribs on top of your opponent's tricep to eliminate movement, then control their wrist with minimal force. John Saylor emphasizes that this rib pressure is key to keeping the elbow locked in place.
How much pressure should I apply when practicing waki-gatame to avoid injuring my training partner?
The technique will cause discomfort but you should avoid taking it to full extension. John Saylor notes that doing too many repetitions in training can sideline your partner for weeks, so control the intensity and limit reps in practice.
What's the best way to set up waki-gatame from standing when my opponent resists?
Robert Silas recommends using kuzushi (off-balancing) by pulling your opponent forward, which naturally makes them sit back and creates the opening for the technique. If a trained opponent keeps their arm tight, you can use that pull to transition to a seated position behind them instead.
How do I prevent my opponent from pulling out or hiding their arm during waki-gatame?
Block their face with one hand while dropping your shoulder and scooting your foot out to isolate the arm completely. Robert Silas also emphasizes taking a large step with your leg while maintaining shoulder pressure to prevent them from turning or escaping the lock.
How does the Waki-Gatame From Standing work?
Waki-gatame from standing is a standing armbar where the attacker traps the opponent's arm under their own armpit and applies downward pressure to hyperextend the elbow joint, using the armpit as the fulcrum. The attacker secures the wrist with both hands, clamps the upper arm under the armpit, and drops their body weight or turns to generate the extension force.
Where does the Waki-Gatame From Standing come from?
Waki-gatame (腋固, armpit hold) is one of the original Kodokan judo kansetsu-waza and is also a core technique in aikido's nikyo and sankyo series. In judo competition, waki-gatame was restricted in some rulesets due to the speed at which it can be applied and the injury risk involved, particularly when executed as a standing sacrifice technique.
Is the Waki-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 Waki-Gatame From Standing?
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 From Standing?
The standard setup chain: Control the Arm → Position the Hips → Pinch Knees → Extend for the Finish.
How do I defend against the Waki-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 Waki-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 Waki-Gatame From Standing in competition?
Standing waki-gatame is banned in IJF competition but appears in MMA and catch wrestling events.
What are common mistakes when doing the Waki-Gatame From Standing?
Top errors to watch for: Turning too slowly — the 180-degree rotation must be fast; a slow turn gives the opponent time to retract the arm / Not controlling the wrist during the turn — the wrist must stay secured throughout the rotation; losing it releases t… / Over-rotating and losing the arm — turn exactly 180 degrees; over-rotation changes the angle and the arm may escape / Not dropping weight to finish — the standing position alone may not finish; sitting or kneeling adds the decisive force.
What are other names for the Waki-Gatame From Standing?
The Waki-Gatame From Standing is also known as Waki-gatame (Tachi kara), Standing Waki-Gatame, Standing Side Arm Lock.