Judo techniques fall into three families: throws (nage-waza), grappling (katame-waza) and strikes (atemi-waza). The 40 throws of the Gokyo are all nage-waza; below you can see which group each of them belongs to.
Download PDF (A4)Throws with an animation are highlighted – click to open them.
Nage-waza 投技Throwing techniques
Techniques that bring the opponent down onto the mat. The whole Gokyo consists of throws. They are split by whether Tori stays on his feet (tachi-waza) or gives up his own balance (sutemi-waza).
40 of the 40 Gokyo throws
Tachi-waza 立技Standing techniques
Tori throws while staying on his feet. They are grouped by the part of the body that does the main work.
Te-waza 手技Hand techniques
Hands, arms and shoulders do the main work – Uke is pulled, lifted or turned over.
6 of the 40 Gokyo throws
Koshi-waza 腰技Hip techniques
Tori's hip is the pivot or lever Uke is thrown over.
9 of the 40 Gokyo throws
Ashi-waza 足技Foot and leg techniques
Feet and legs sweep, reap, block or hook Uke's legs. The largest group of the Gokyo.
14 of the 40 Gokyo throws
Sutemi-waza 捨身技Sacrifice techniques
Tori gives up his own balance and goes down to the mat to throw Uke.
Ma-sutemi-waza 真捨身技Rear sacrifice techniques
Tori falls straight onto his back and throws Uke over himself.
3 of the 40 Gokyo throws
Yoko-sutemi-waza 横捨身技Side sacrifice techniques
Tori falls onto his side and throws Uke past or over himself.
8 of the 40 Gokyo throws
Katame-waza 固技Grappling techniques
Techniques to control the opponent, mostly on the ground (ne-waza).
Not part of the Gokyo
Osaekomi-waza 抑込技Hold-downs
Holding Uke on his back on the mat, e.g. Kesa-gatame.
Shime-waza 絞技Strangles
Pressure on the neck with the arms or the judogi, e.g. Hadaka-jime. Only allowed from a certain age group.
Kansetsu-waza 関節技Joint locks
Locks against a joint. In randori and competition only against the elbow, e.g. Ude-hishigi-juji-gatame.
Atemi-waza 当身技Striking techniques
Strikes to vital points. Practised only in kata, e.g. Kime-no-kata – never in randori or competition.
Not part of the Gokyo
Ude-ate 腕当Arm strikes
Strikes with the fist, the edge of the hand, the fingertips or the elbow.
Ashi-ate 足当Leg strikes
Strikes with the knee or the foot.