Understand kata-ha-jime in judo: principle, classification, tap rule and risks for neck and shoulder. Guide to understanding – train only with a coach.
The honest answer: kata-ha-jime is the choke from behind that involves one of the opponent's arms – and that makes it trickier than hadaka-jime: it loads not only the neck but also the shoulder. In the federation's programme it appears as "kataha-jime" in the extended programme for teenagers and adults (3rd to 1st kyu) [1].
This guide is a guide to understanding. You learn principle, classification and safety. A sequence for choking a partner and moving his arm is not here – neither out of caution nor by chance, but because a coach must guide it who watches shoulder and neck at the same time.
The basic principle is the same as in all sport chokes: compression of the neck vessels. With a fully established hold, unconsciousness typically occurs after 6–14 seconds [4]. In this technique the shoulder is added, guided into unfamiliar positions.
The steps describe the learning build-up, not the technique on a partner.
Before kata-ha-jime becomes a topic, hadaka-jime and okuri-eri-jime sit in your understanding and in your tap culture. Milestone: you can explain the safety rules of both chokes without looking them up.
With the coach you learn what movement limits the shoulder has. Injury overviews show that in judo the shoulder, knee and fingers are among the frequent injury sites [5]. Milestone: you can feel your partner's shoulder without forcing anything.
You are uke first. Important: do not tap only at neck pressure, but also when the shoulder gets uncomfortable. The IJF counts tapping twice with hand or foot, or "Maitta!", as giving up [2]. Milestone: your tap comes early and clearly.
The coach demonstrates and corrects. You practise movement shape and release, never pressure. Milestone: at the first sign you open immediately.
IJF rules forbid any action that endangers the opponent's neck or spine [2]. Only after your coach has cleared you does choking under supervision come in.
This guide does not replace supervised training or a coach. You practise chokes and levers only in training, under supervision, with a partner who may tap – never outside it, never jerked, never as a joke.
If as uke you learn to feel the moment of your own tap, you also learn what your partner experiences. Whoever taps early trains longer.
A choke from behind that involves one of the opponent's arms. In the federation's programme it is called "kataha-jime" and belongs to the extended programme for teenagers and adults [1].
It combines neck compression with load on the shoulder. The same rules apply: supervision, early tapping, immediate release [4].
Only after the basics and with your coach's clearance. The federation lists the technique in the extended programme [1].
No. Chokes or levers from standing without a throw are stopped with "Mate!" and shido [2].
Release at once, call the coach, watch your partner and call emergency services if there are breathing problems.
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