UDE HISHIGI HIZA GATAME, ASHI GARAMI
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Hiza Garami·Patrick Bigot
Hiza Garami
SubFamily膝緘(Hiza Garami)
TraditionalTranslation: knee entanglement
Overview
Hiza Garami is a knee lock technique in judo and jujutsu that attacks the knee joint by entangling the opponent's leg and applying rotational or hyperextension force. [1] The attacker controls the opponent's leg and uses a figure-four or wrapping grip to isolate the knee, then applies pressure that forces the joint beyond its natural range of motion. [1] In Kodokan judo, it is classified under ashi garami (leg entanglement) techniques and is generally prohibited in competition due to the high risk of knee ligament damage. [1] In BJJ and submission grappling, similar knee attacks form the foundation of modern leg lock systems. [2]
Hiza-GaramiJPKnee Entanglement LockKnee GaramiJP
History & Origin
Hiza Garami is classified under ashi garami (leg entanglement) techniques in Kodokan judo. [1] It has been banned from most judo competitions due to the high risk of severe knee injuries. In BJJ and submission grappling, similar knee entanglement attacks form the foundation of modern leg lock systems popularized by the Danaher Death Squad and others. [1]
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]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Entangling the opponent's leg and applying rotational or extension force against the knee joint
Joints Involved — Opponent's knee (primary target — ACL, MCL, meniscus at risk)
Force Vector — Rotational and/or lateral — attacking the knee's limited lateral tolerance
Injury Risk — ACL/MCL tears, meniscus damage, patellar dislocation
Position & Entry
From ashi garami position — Entangle the opponent's leg with your legs, grip the foot/ankle, and apply rotational force against the knee
From guard — Catch the opponent's leg during a pass attempt, entangle and attack the knee
Variants
Inside knee lock — attacking from inside the leg entanglement
Outside knee lock — attacking from outside position
With gi grips — using the gi pants for additional control
No-gi variation — using underhooks and overhooks on the leg
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Knee joint has limited rotational tolerance. Injuries can be career-ending.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
IJF Judo— ashi garami techniques prohibited
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025PDFIBJJF— Banned at all belt levels in gi and no-gi
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFLegal
ADCC— all leg locks permitted
ADCC Submission Fighting RulesPDFUnified MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFFIAS Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFFIAS Combat Sambo
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The knee joint has VERY limited rotational tolerance — apply pressure slowly and carefully in training
✓Always maintain control of the hip and ankle to isolate the knee
✓The technique is banned in most judo competitions — train under appropriate rule sets
✓Communicate constantly with training partners — knee injuries happen fast
Common Mistakes
!Applying rotational force too quickly — knee injuries happen in a fraction of a second
!Not controlling the hip — allows the opponent to rotate with the pressure
!Attacking without proper leg entanglement — the technique escapes easily
!Ignoring the danger level in training
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Single leg X guard → entangle leg → hiza garami
2Failed takedown defense → opponent's leg is exposed → entangle and attack
3Ashi garami entry → control position → attack the knee
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
1BookKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, Kodokan Judo, Katame-waza chapter
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, Kodokan Judo, Katame-waza chapter
Community
Athletics
Requires
leg dexterity for entanglement, hip control
Key muscles
hip adductors (squeezing), legs (entanglement), core (rotation)
Notes
Hiza garami (knee entanglement) is a Kodokan judo leg lock technique. In judo's kansetsu-waza (joint technique) curriculum, leg locks were historically permitted but became restricted under modern IJF rules — only elbow locks are legal in current IJF competition. Hiza garami remains in the Kodokan syllabus as a kata technique. (Kano, Kodokan Judo; IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Hiza Garami work?
Hiza Garami is a knee lock technique in judo and jujutsu that attacks the knee joint by entangling the opponent's leg and applying rotational or hyperextension force. The attacker controls the opponent's leg and uses a figure-four or wrapping grip to isolate the knee, then applies pressure that forces the joint beyond its natural range of motion.
Where does the Hiza Garami come from?
Hiza Garami is classified under ashi garami (leg entanglement) techniques in Kodokan judo. It has been banned from most judo competitions due to the high risk of severe knee injuries.
Is the Hiza Garami legal in competition?
IJF Judo: Banned: banned — ashi garami techniques prohibited; IBJJF: Banned at all belt levels in gi and no: banned — gi; ADCC: Legal: legal — all leg locks permitted; Unified MMA: Legal {src:Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025|/sources/Unified: legal — MMA-Rules-August-2025.pdf}; FIAS Sport Sambo: Legal {src:FIAS International Sambo Competition Rules|/sources/FIAS: legal — Sambo-Rules.pdf}; FIAS Combat Sambo: Legal {src:FIAS Combat Sambo Rules|/sources/FIAS: legal — Combat-Sambo-Rules.pdf}
How dangerous is the Hiza Garami?
Danger rating 8/10. Very High — knee joint has limited rotational tolerance. Injuries can be career-ending.
How do I set up the Hiza Garami?
The standard setup chain: Single leg X guard → entangle leg → hiza garami → Failed takedown defense → opponent's leg is exposed → entangle and attack → Ashi garami entry → control position → attack the knee.
How do I defend against the Hiza Garami?
Standard counters include: Straighten the leg before entanglement is complete / Roll toward the attacker to relieve pressure / Clear the knee line — extract the knee from the entanglement.
What are the variants of the Hiza Garami?
Common variants: Inside knee lock (attacking from inside the leg entanglement); Outside knee lock (attacking from outside position); With gi grips (using the gi pants for additional control); No-gi variation (using underhooks and overhooks on the leg).
How effective is the Hiza Garami in competition?
Recognized Kodokan judo technique. Used in IJF World Championships and Olympic judo competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Hiza Garami?
Top errors to watch for: Applying rotational force too quickly — knee injuries happen in a fraction of a second / Not controlling the hip — allows the opponent to rotate with the pressure / Attacking without proper leg entanglement — the technique escapes easily / Ignoring the danger level in training.
What are other names for the Hiza Garami?
The Hiza Garami is also known as Hiza Garami, Hiza-Garami, Knee Entanglement Lock, Knee Garami.