Judo term
Sankaku-waza
- Pronunciation
- sahn-kah-koo wah-zah
- Meaning
- Triangular techniques
In Judo
Sankaku-waza is the umbrella name for triangular control. Tori’s legs enclose Uke’s head and one arm, and one ankle locks behind the other knee. The triangle is the control, not the finish: it can lead to a hold, an elbow lock, or a choke. Always keep one of Uke’s arms inside and never lever or twist the neck.
How to recognize it
Look for Tori’s legs closing a triangle around Uke’s head and one captured arm, often after Tori, facing Uke’s head, turns a face-down Uke onto the back.
Don't mix it up
Shared control versus finish
Sankaku-waza only names the triangle. The finish decides the family: is a hold, an elbow lock, and a choke.
Lessons that teach this
- Sankaku-waza and the TurnoverRecognize the leg triangle around Uke’s head and arm, and the turnover that leads to it.
- Sankaku Action and ReactionChoose what comes after the triangle from the control you still have.
- Ground Choices from Uke’s PositionChoose a ground move from the control you really have.