Judo Techniques

The main classifications of judo techniques are the throwing techniques, striking techniques,  the grappling techniques and the forms. While there may be other techniques, these four are the most popular.

The throwing techniques are called gokyo. Gokyo no Waza, or the five sets of techniques, is the official and more commonly used sets of throws in the combat sport. The standard Gokyo no Waza has 40 throws  classified in 5 sets.  The sets are Dai Ikkyo, Dai Nikyo, Sankyo, Yonkyo, Gokyo.  Only after the 100th year anniversary of the sport, had the sets of technique expanded to eight. Habukareta Waza (the preserved techniques dating from 1895), Shinmeisho no Waza (the newly-accepted techniques), and the other techniques falling into the unclassified set. Throwing techniques are classified into the standing techniques (tachi waza) and sacrifice techniques (sustemi waza).  

Grappling techniques are classified into holding techniques, choking techniques and joint locking techniques. Judo also employs choking techniques. Choking and strangulation may seem very violent, but in judo, it is considered as a subtle art, where certain important points must be considered. There are several compression points important in the study of judo choking techniques. These choking points are: the carotid arteries, the windpipe, the chest and lungs.