FIGHTING JUDO

Grip fighting in judo is an entire set of skills and strategies in and of itself.  Called “Kumi kata” in Japanese the idea is that whoever secures their favorite grips first will most likely get the throw, whoever gets the throw can dominate and win the match. I liken grip fighting to boxing.   

A significant part of grip fighting is learning the techniques to break your opponent’s grips which in turn leads to setting up a successful throw.  In most cases an opponent has to get both hands on you to throw. When breaking grips you have to be careful NOT to put yourself in a bad or compromising position. 

When opponent grips right sleeve

1.) Punch your grip in.

2.) The opponent gets a grip with his left hand on your right sleeve below the elbow.

3.)  Make a fist with your right hand and bring your fist to your chest, as if beating your chest, then roll the right elbow over the top of the opponent’s left arm. Simultaneously take a half step toward your opponent’s right foot with your right foot.

4.)  Bring your elbow downward to the inside of the opponent's  left arm. Simultaneously step again with your right foot to the opponent’s right foot.

Breaking opponent's grip on lapel to set up Ippon Seoi nage

1.) Step your right foot forward at the top of the triangle. Your knees should be bent and your center of gravity low. Twist your upper body clockwise bring your left hand and shoulder to the front closer to your opponent. In a right vs. right situation your right shoulder should be more toward your rear and not out front and easily accessible for your opponent to grip and attack. You left hand is your attacking hand and your right hand is the defensive hand.

2.) Much like delivering a punch in boxing, punch in with your left hand and grip your opponent’s gi right above the armpit. Your right hand is up and defending any attempts by the opponent to get his grip.

3.) White immediately grips your right lapel with his left hand. 

4.) In the same way you break the opponent's grip on your sleeve, make a fist with the right hand and bring it into your chest and then roll elbow over the top of your opponent’s arm counter clockwise as you step forward slightly toward your opponent with your right foot. 

5.) Continue to roll your elbow over and then downward to the inside of his left arm. Pivot on your right foot as your right elbow moves to the inside of your opponent's left arm. Pull with your left hand and your right foot forward closer to the opponent by taking a short step with your right foot toward his right foot.

6.) Step your left foot up to your right foot to his right. Simultaneously, move your right hand under the opponent’s armpit.

7.) Step your right foot through the triangle between the opponent’s feet. The toes of both feet should be pointing in the direction of the apex of the triangle. Pinch the opponent’s right arm at his arm pit between your right forearm and bicep. Rotate the palm of the right hand toward your head (this creates a tighter clamp on the opponent’s arm).

8.) Continue the pull with your left hand. Step the left foot back and 

9.) straighten your legs quickly and bend forward popping your hips upward into the opponent. This should pop your opponent’s hips off of your hips adding power to the throw. Twist your torso to the left by taking your right elbow to your left knee to finish the throw.