How to Apply a Bent Armlock in Judo

Ude garami, or bent arm lock, can be done many ways and from different positions in Kodokan Judo. The opponent's arm can be bent upwards towards the head or down towards the legs. It often uses considerable twisting action that can injure the shoulder as well as the primary target of the elbow joint.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An opponent willing to cooperate and tap to signal defeat.
• A lot of caution if you have not had personal instruction in this technique.

1. 
    
   The basic version of ude garami

   To achieve the strongest position to apply the armlock you must bend the opponent's elbow and seize his/her wrist with your hand so that the thumb side or your hand is closest to your opponent's elbow. You then reach under the opponent's elbow with your other arm and grab onto your own hand or wrist. This is the armlock used by the judo expert Masahiko Kimura to defeat Helio Gracie, who founded Gracie Jiujitsu. Brazilian jiujitsu and mixed martial arts students now call this armlock the Kimura.
   
   Udegarami can be done to apply pressure to the shoulder or the elbow. In Judo we often try to achieve the arm pressure on the elbow since it is the more efficient and effective version. The two key points that make ude garami work effectively against the elbow when you are in the basic udegarami position shown are: 1) the arm should not be bent very far (90 degrees is too much), and 2) the elbow should be pulled towards the belt.

2. 
    
   Standing version of the ude garami armlock

   This is a standing version being demonstrated by Kenji Tomiki, 8th degree black belt.

3. 
    
   Standing version of the ude garami armlock

   Another version of the standing armlock used in judo and for self defense.

4. 
    
   A kneeling version of the bent armlock by Neil Ohlenkamp, 6th degree black belt

   Another version of the bent armlock is demonstrated by Neil Ohlenkamp, 6th degree black belt. This is often used when your opponent tries to get up after being thrown on his back.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many more variations of this technique from different positions so experiment with different methods.
• Always apply this technique gently exercising great care for your training partner.

Resources

• Judo Information Site at JudoInfo.com
• Judo Unleashed by Neil Ohlenkamp

[Butterfli]

on 10/22/2008 Very interesting article! 5*