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[ Stances ] [ Breakfalls ] [ Throwing ]
[ Grappling ] [ Striking ]

As a grappling art, Judo's techniques emphasize the use of the hands, arms, body, legs, and feet. Adapted from Jujitsu, the techniques are similar, requiring use of timing and leverage to unbalance opponents and execute throws.

The aim, however, is to attain power over their opponent without resorting to brute force. The movements generally end with pins or arm locks; chokes, strangleholds, and breaking techniques are seldom if ever used since founder Jigoro Kano wanted to create a less hazardous system.

The ways in which force and energy are applied and expressed are extremely important in Judo. As "the gentle way," Judo uses the least possible amount of force against an opponent's strength. Movements must be performed continually and in accordance to, instead of opposing, the opposite force. The idea is to attain harmony with one's surroundings. Many of the movements move around the body's center of gravity, or the so-called hara located below the belly button, so that the student will remain balanced and harmonized with the forces around him.

Since Judo has gained popularity as a sport, students perform these techniques mainly to score points, and the more combative or self-defense techniques are not as emphasized until Black Belt level and even then those are limited in scope and quantity.

The three main categories of techniques are: nage-waza (throwing techniques), katame-waza (grappling techniques), and atemi-waza (striking techniques). Additionally, students learn basic skills, such as proper falling and stances to avoid injury.

Stances
Natural stance
The entire body is straight and relaxed, with the legs slightly apart. Toes are pointed forward and weight is evenly distributed between both legs. Hands are placed flat against the thighs. The natural stance is non-combatant and used to express one's respect and discipline. It is held to focus attention on a single thing (e.g. the instructor during a lesson or an opponent before a match). It is often assumed before bowing as well.

The right natural stance is assumed with the right foot forward, and the left natural stance with the left
foot forward.

Natural Stance

Defensive stance
Positioned in the natural stance, the body is facing straight ahead. The feet are slightly farther apart and knees are slightly bent to lower your body. Weight should be evenly distributed on both feet. The right defensive position is assumed with the right foot forward, and the left defensive position is assumed with the left foot forward.

Right Defensive Stance

Breakfalls
Breakfalls are literally the breaking of falls, or the practice of falling (ukemi) without injuring oneself. Breakfalls are extremely important in Judo, and must be learned before practicing throws. The four basic breakfalls are: the front, back, side, and rolling breakfall.

Front Breakfall
This move can be started from crouching position or standing position. The body should dives forward onto the palms of the hands, resting on the elbows. The knees stay together to prevent any kicks from the rear from injuring the groin and the head is turned to protect the nose. The hands are turned inward.

Front Breakfall

Back Breakfall
The backwards breakfall is most commonly practiced in the crouching position. The feet are kept slightly apart, the chin is slightly tucked in, and the body resting on the heels. The weight is spread evenly between both feet. The arms can be extended straight in front, or crossed over the chest. Rolling backward along the curve of the spine, the hands are slapped down on the mat (the harder the slap, the easier the landing). The arms should be at a right angle from the body. After the backwards breakfall is mastered, it can be practiced from a standing position.

Back Breakfall

Side Breakfall
It is safest to practice the side breakfall from crouching position first. Squatting on the heels, the feet are kept slightly apart, and the body weight rests evenly on them. The arms are rested in front, on each knee. In one motion, the right hand is brought to the opposite shoulder, and the right foot is extended. Falling to the right, the right palm is slapped down. The head is kept up with the left hand. The left side breakfall is practiced in the reverse direction, with the left hand. After the side breakfall is mastered, it can be practiced from a standing position.

Side Breakfall

Rolling Breakfall
The forward rolling breakfall is more challenging than the previous two, since it involves rolling the entire body. The body is upright at starting position, with the right foot is placed in front. The right knee is bent, and the upper body is bent forward so that the hands are placed in front (between the legs) on the ground, pointing inward. The right elbow is bent, bringing the back of the head and right shoulder onto the mat. Using the left foot to push the body forward, the body is rolled over in a circle. The right elbow, upper arm, shoulder, and bottom, and left leg and foot will all hit the ground simultaneously, landing the body in side breakfall position. The left palm is slapped down onto the mat. The left forward breakfall is practiced in the reverse direction, with the left hand.

Rolling Breakfall

Throwing (Nage-waza)
Throwing is a matter of leverage and balance, instead of pure strength. They are typically performed in a small amount of space. Throws are most efficient when the opponent is gripped tightly, so that he does not fall away. The person who is throwing is called the Tori, and the one thrown is called the Uke. Throws performed while standing are called Tachi-waza, or "standing techniques." The body part he uses determines what type of tachi-waza he will use.

Hand and arm techniques (Te-waza)