Osaekomi-waza are the judo pinning techniques, holds that keep the opponent on their back under control, and the Kodokan list names ten. Judoinfo.com lists osaekomi as "pin" and as the referee's call to begin timing, and the Kodokan list of techniques names ten pins.
- Japanese name: osaekomi-waza, "pinning techniques". Osaekomi toketa is the call that the hold is broken; kuzure means a modified hold.
- Kodokan classification: one of the three groups of katame-waza, with shime-waza and kansetsu-waza.
- In BJJ: the same positions are scored rather than timed. Kesa gatame is scarf hold, yoko shiho gatame is side control, tate shiho gatame is mount, kami shiho gatame is north-south, uki gatame is knee on belly.
What are the 10 Kodokan pins?
The Kodokan list of techniques names: Kesa-gatame, Kuzure-kesa-gatame, Ushiro-kesa-gatame, Kata-gatame, Kami-shiho-gatame, Kuzure-kami-shiho-gatame, Yoko-shiho-gatame, Tate-shiho-gatame, Uki-gatame, Ura-gatame.
The definitions share a pattern. The Kodokan describes kesa-gatame as holding down the opponent's upper body under the right side of the chest region, and the shiho-gatame family as holding down the upper body under the chest and abdomen. Kata-gatame holds the right arm and neck together, the position BJJ calls the arm triangle. Uki-gatame holds down with the leg, and ura-gatame holds the opponent from underneath, by the back.
How do you hold a pin?
- Get chest to chest. Every pin in the list works by keeping the opponent's upper body under yours.
- Control the head or the near arm. In kesa-gatame the arm is trapped under your armpit; in the shiho-gatame pins the arms are controlled by your grips on the belt and collar.
- Spread your base. Legs wide, hips low, toes dug into the mat, so a bridge moves you rather than tipping you.
- Keep the weight on the opponent. If your knees carry your weight, the pin is light.
- Move with the escape. When they bridge or shrimp, adjust the pin instead of fighting to keep the exact shape.
The most common mistake is squeezing. A pin that relies on arm strength tires in ten seconds; a pin that relies on weight placement lasts the full count.
Pins are the one part of judo you can drill at home with a willing partner and a mat. Our judo training gear is rash guards made for people who train; wear one under the gi on drilling days.
Video: KODOKAN official channel
How long must you hold a pin in judo?
Under the IJF Sport and Organisation Rules a pin scores yuko after 5 seconds, waza-ari after 10 and ippon after 20. It counts only while the held player's back or upper back is on the mat and the holder's legs are free of theirs.
Sources
- Judoinfo.com lists osaekomi, JudoInfo
- Kodokan list of techniques, Kodokan Judo Institute
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation
Related terms
Scarf hold (kesa gatame), Side control, Mount, North-south, Grappling techniques (katame-waza).