Hiza-guruma
膝車ひざぐるま
- Ashi-waza
- Gokyō: Dai-ikkyō
Key idea
The defining action checks the knee area with the foot while the hands rotate uke around that fixed point.
Kodokan official demonstration
Kodokan technique list (opens in a new tab)YouTube (opens in a new tab)
VISUAL GUIDE
How to read the movement
The central principle of Hiza-guruma is the coordinated action that checks the knee area with the foot while the hands rotate uke around that fixed point.
- Tori
- the person applying the technique
- Uke
- the person receiving the technique
- Red line
- main direction or point of contact
AT A GLANCE
Classification representative
IN SEQUENCE
Three basic phases
- 1Create usable imbalance
- 2Enter and stay connected
- 3Complete the defining action
Original AI-generated educational illustration for TokyoWaltz, 2026. A simplified three-stage concept; practise under qualified instruction.
PLAY WHEN NEEDED
Watch the basic movement slowly
- 1Starting pointCreate usable imbalance
- 2Decisive actionEnter and stay connected
- 3CompletionComplete the defining action
1 / 3Starting point— Create usable imbalance
Follow the red line and phase indicator. The guide does not autoplay or loop.
How it works
The central principle of Hiza-guruma is the coordinated action that checks the knee area with the foot while the hands rotate uke around that fixed point.
Kuzushi
Create usable imbalance
Create the imbalance described by the official definition and continue it into the entry. Uke should not be able to recover stable support before the decisive action.
Tsukuri
Enter and stay connected
Enter with stable posture and continuous control. Use the official demonstration to check the required position, contact line, and direction.
Kake
Complete the defining action
Complete the defining action described in the official definition and shown in the demonstration. Maintain control through uke’s fall.
Key points
- To identify Hiza-guruma, watch for the moment the leg or foot action becomes decisive rather than naming the technique from the landing alone.
- The official definition centres on an action that checks the knee area with the foot while the hands rotate uke around that fixed point.
- When reviewing Hiza-guruma, check that balance breaking, contact and direction stay connected from entry through the controlled finish.
Similar techniques
| Technique | Japanese name | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Ashi-guruma | 足車 | Ashi-guruma places the leg across the knee line as a turning axis; Hiza-guruma checks the knee area with the foot. |
| O-guruma | 大車 | O-guruma places the extended leg high across the lower abdomen or upper thighs and rotates uke over that axis; Hiza-guruma checks the knee area with the foot. |
| O-soto-guruma | 大外車 | O-soto-guruma places the leg behind both of uke’s legs and rotates the body backward over the broad blocking line; Hiza-guruma checks the knee area with the foot. |
Reference
Open the detailed source material when you need definitions, technical distinctions, training context, or references.
Official definition
What this technique is
Within the Kodokan list, Hiza-guruma belongs to foot and leg techniques. Its name is attached to the action that checks the knee area with the foot while the hands rotate uke around that fixed point, not to every contest exchange that ends in a similar fall or final position. The official Hiza-guruma demonstration is therefore the best starting point for recognizing the technique before comparing variations in timing, grip or stance.
Core principle
The central principle of Hiza-guruma is the coordinated action that checks the knee area with the foot while the hands rotate uke around that fixed point. In this technique, timing, balance breaking and continuous control must work together. Pause the official Hiza-guruma demonstration before the decisive action and check what support remains, where contact is maintained and whether tori is lifting, reaping, blocking, rotating, wrapping or applying controlled pressure.
Detailed execution
Key recognition points
- To identify Hiza-guruma, watch for the moment the leg or foot action becomes decisive rather than naming the technique from the landing alone.
- The official definition centres on an action that checks the knee area with the foot while the hands rotate uke around that fixed point.
- When reviewing Hiza-guruma, check that balance breaking, contact and direction stay connected from entry through the controlled finish.
Distinguishing this technique
The practical identifying feature of Hiza-guruma is the leg or foot action: checks the knee area with the foot while the hands rotate uke around that fixed point. Compare that action with neighbouring names in the same Kodokan category. If the contact point, control route or sacrifice direction changes, the result may belong under a different official name even when the landing position looks similar.
Training and safety
Training and safety
Practise entries, controlled finishes, and ukemi under a qualified Judo instructor. Competition rules and permitted applications can vary, so confirm the current ruleset before competitive use.