For the judo practitioner, newaza drills are essential for developing and maintaining effective ground-fighting techniques. Newaza drills encompass a wide spectrum of movements, from grappling and pinning, to locking, choking and bridging. The aim of these drills is twofold. The first is to refine how the opponent can be effectively grappled and immobilized. The second is to refine how to evade and escape being grappled and immobilized.
Uke and Tori Starting Positions
Newaza drills are paired drills, requiring a willing uke and tori. The uke will receive the technique, while the tori will apply it. It is imperative both practitioners agree to their respective roles. Confusion regarding this preliminary designation could result in serious injury. Once clarified, the uke begins the newaza drills on his back with the left knee raised. The tori begins the drills in a sitting position, straddling the right side of the uke's torso, his right arm under the uke's left arm and his left arm under the uke's head and neck.
Pinning
Newaza drills begin with pinning techniques. From the starting position, the uke will try to roll out, either to the left or right, of the tori's control. The tori must effectively leverage his body weight in conjunction with control of the uke's head, neck, torso and left arm. As the uke meets with the tori's technique, he will double-tap with either hand to signify being effectively pinned. If the tori cannot maintain control and the uke is able to roll out, he must evaluate how the uke's neck can be more effectively controlled.
Choking
From the starting position, the tori will attempt to choke the uke. The most common newaza choke is the naked choke. This entails the tori immediately leveraging control of the uke's neck by bringing the left arm around the back of the neck and locking fingers with the right hand. The uke can attempt to escape by bridging his back, rolling to either side or wedging his chin between the tori's arm and chest. If the uke cannot escape the choke, he must double-tap with a free hand, effectively ending the drill.
Arm Bars
Arm bars require significantly more movement on the part of both the uke and tori. Whereas chokes and pins require little in terms of movement, arm bars necessitate the tori radically shifting her center of gravity in an attempt to stretch out and expose the uke's arms. From the starting position, the tori must roll away from the uke's torso, bringing both legs over the uke's head and collarbone while maintaining control of the uke's right arm. Once the tori is on her back, the uke's arm should be adequately stretched out and locked. By slightly lifting her hips in this position, the tori can force the uke to double-tap and concede. If the tori cannot maintain adequate control of the uke's arm, the uke will be able to slip free and escape.
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