Kote Gaeshi

Kote Gaeshi (小手返し, "wrist turn-out") is an outward-rotating wrist technique that applies torsion to the opponent's wrist and forearm. The practitioner grips the back of the opponent's hand, turns the wrist outward (forearm supination combined with wrist flexion), and directs the rotational force down through the arm. This compromises the wrist joint and breaks the opponent's balance toward their little-finger side. In aikido and jujutsu, it is executed as a throw — the wrist torsion off-balances uke and takes them to the ground, where it can be retained as a pin or submission. In judo and submission grappling, the same mechanics are applied as a standing or ground wrist lock. Because it loads the small, low-mobility wrist joint, control of speed is essential to avoid injury.