用語 Judo glossary

Same-side grip

Both judoka grip with the same side, e.g. both right-handed: right hand on the partner's left lapel, left hand on the right sleeve.

Foot and leg techniques

Throws performed mainly with the foot or leg, such as De-ashi-harai or O-soto-gari.

Martial way

Umbrella term for the Japanese martial arts as a path of personal development, not only fighting.

Grade, degree

Black-belt grades, from 1st dan (shodan) upwards.

Place of the way

The training hall where judo is practised and taught.

Lapel, collar

The lapel of the judogi jacket, a main gripping point.

Five teachings

The Kodokan's classic syllabus of 40 throws in five groups of eight (Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokyo).

Begin

Referee's command to start or restart the contest.

Defeat by disqualification

The most serious penalty; the contest is lost.

Eight directions of off-balancing

The eight directions in which Uke's balance can be broken.

Left

Used for the left side or a left-handed technique, e.g. hidari shizentai.

Pulling hand

The hand that controls and pulls the partner's sleeve; for a right-handed throw, the left hand.

One full point

The highest score; a clean ippon ends the contest immediately.

Mutual welfare and benefit

One of Jigoro Kano's two core principles of judo: progress together with others.

The gentle way

Martial art and Olympic sport founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882.

Judo uniform

Jacket, trousers and belt worn for judo; white or blue in competition.

Judo practitioner

A person who practises judo.

Counter techniques

Techniques that use the opponent's attack to throw them instead.

Execution

The final phase of a throw, in which the throw is completed.

Upper seat

The place of honour in the dojo, often with a scroll or a picture of the founder; bows are directed towards it.

Joint locks

Arm locks applied to the elbow joint; part of katame-waza.

Form

Prearranged sequences of techniques that preserve the principles of judo, e.g. Nage-no-kata.

Grappling techniques

Hold-downs, strangles and joint locks, mostly on the ground.

Opposite-side grip

One judoka grips right-handed, the other left-handed.

Shout of spirit

A focused shout to concentrate energy, mainly used in kata.

School for studying the way

The original judo institute in Tokyo, founded by Jigoro Kano; headquarters of world judo.

Hip techniques

Throws that use the hips as the fulcrum, such as O-goshi or Harai-goshi.

Gripping method

How the judogi is gripped; the first phase of every throw.

Breaking balance

Taking the partner off balance before the throw; the second phase.

Class, rank

Coloured-belt grades below black belt, counted downwards to 1st kyu.

Rear sacrifice techniques

Tori falls onto the back to throw, e.g. Tomoe-nage.

Forward breakfall

Falling forwards safely onto the forearms.

I give up

Submission, signalled by tapping twice or saying 'maitta'.

Wait

Referee's command to stop the action temporarily.

Right

Used for the right side or a right-handed technique, e.g. migi shizentai.

Right front corner

Direction of kuzushi diagonally forward to Uke's right; used for Ippon Seoi Nage.

Person without dan

Judoka with a kyu grade, below black belt.

Throwing practice

Repeatedly throwing a cooperative partner, often onto a crash mat.

Throwing techniques

All throws: tachi-waza (standing) and sutemi-waza (sacrifice).

Ground techniques

Groundwork: hold-downs, strangles and arm locks.

Belt

The belt of the judogi; its colour shows the grade.

Hold-down

Announced by the referee when a valid hold-down begins.

Hold-down techniques

Pinning the opponent on their back, e.g. Kesa-gatame.

Free practice

Free sparring in standing or on the ground.

Bow, respect

The bow – at the start and end of practice and before and after every partner exercise.

Standing bow

Bow performed standing.

Maximum efficiency

Jigoro Kano's principle of using energy in the most effective way.

Formal kneeling

Kneeling position sitting on the heels, used for zarei and for listening.

Teacher

Respectful title for the instructor.

Contest

A competition bout or tournament.

Guidance, minor penalty

Minor penalty for a rule violation, e.g. passivity.

Strangling techniques

Strangles and chokes; part of katame-waza.

Referee

The referee of a contest.

Natural posture

Upright, relaxed basic stance; migi shizentai with the right foot forward.

Sleeve

The sleeve of the judogi jacket, gripped by the hikite.

Don't move

Referee's command to freeze the position.

That is all

Referee's command to end the contest.

Sacrifice techniques

Throws in which Tori deliberately falls to throw Uke.

Standing techniques

Throws from standing: te-waza, koshi-waza and ashi-waza.

Mat

The mats covering the training and competition area.

Hand techniques

Throws performed mainly with the arms and hands, such as Seoi-nage.

Hold broken

Referee's call that a hold-down has been escaped.

The one who takes

The judoka who performs the technique.

Entry, fitting in

Positioning your body for the throw; the third phase.

Lifting hand

The hand gripping the lapel; for a right-handed throw, the right hand.

Repetition practice

Repeating the entry of a technique many times without throwing.

The one who receives

The judoka on whom the technique is performed.

Breakfall

Techniques for falling safely; learned before any throw.

Backward breakfall

Falling backwards safely, chin tucked, arms slapping the mat.

Half point

A score for a throw that is not quite ippon; two waza-ari make ippon.

Side sacrifice techniques

Tori falls onto the side to throw, e.g. Tani-otoshi.

Side breakfall

Falling to the side safely, slapping the mat with one arm.

Dan holder

Judoka holding a black-belt (dan) grade.

Kneeling bow

Bow performed from seiza.

Forward roll

Rolling breakfall over the shoulder.