Judo Level 3: Hiza Guruma — Read the rotation above the knee check

膝車, hiza-guruma, is a foot technique. Hiza means knee and guruma means wheel, linking the contact area with rotation.

Kodokan describes forward imbalance, a foot checking the knee and a rotating throw. If hand guidance stops before the check works, the action may become only a foot pushing against a leg. Follow the continuity.

Hiza-guruma supports at the knee while uke's body rotates. Kodokan places forward imbalance before that support. A foot beside the knee does not mean forcing the joint to buckle; read uke's continuing path around the supporting point.

Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi checks near the ankle, Hiza Guruma near the knee. Compare contact and body distance; not every technique checking a leg is Hiza Guruma.

The contact height distinguishes it from sasae-tsurikomi-ashi, so the leg positions look different. Nevertheless, include the hands and upper-body movement in your reading. Watching only the legs hides how uke is guided into rotation.

An instructor should control contact and imbalance from slow practice onward. Never strike the knee to compensate for missed timing. Stop and reset if the partner feels pain or twisting.

The Level here refers to the IMAC Dojo curriculum. Use the article and clips to prepare questions and review them with your instructor. Practical training needs a suitable partner, space and controlled conditions.

Nippon Budokan provides a separate hiza-guruma lesson among its basic techniques. In the dojo clip, examine tori's body opening and the start of uke's turn. Ask whether your position allows support without misdirected force at the knee.