Judo Level 4: Ude Hishigi Hiza Gatame — The knee helps control an arm

腕挫膝固, ude-hishigi-hiza-gatame, is a joint technique. Hiza means knee; ude identifies the arm.

Kodokan describes arm control at the armpit with the knee acting near the elbow. Follow position and relationships rather than testing pressure independently from the image.

Hiza-gatame names the part used to control the arm, not an attack on uke's knee. Kodokan still describes elbow control, combining an arm hold with the knee. Reading the full name ude-hishigi-hiza-gatame prevents that confusion.

Hiza Guruma is a throw, while this full Hiza Gatame name identifies arm-joint control. Sharing hiza does not mean sharing a mechanism or practice method.

Unlike juji-gatame's thigh enclosure or ude-gatame's hand-and-shoulder arrangement, inspect how the forearm is retained while the knee relates to the elbow line. A knee appearing beside an arm is insufficient identification.

Check placement with an instructor without joint pressure. Do not drop knee weight to test the result; agree on stop signals before practice.

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.

Ask your instructor to point out control before pressure. Be able to identify the arm and stopping condition without dropping weight through the knee to find pain. The aim is understanding the structure before supervised practice.