In Aikido, Katate Dori refers to a specific type of grab. It translates to “one-hand capture” or “single-hand grab.” It is one of the most common ways a partner (the Uke) initiates an attack during practice.
The Breakdown
The term comes from two Japanese words:
- Katate: One hand.
- Dori (Tori): To take, grab, or hold.
How You Perform It
During a training session:
- The Attacker (Uke): Uses one hand to firmly grab your wrist. Usually, they grab your right wrist with their left hand (or vice versa), which is called a “cross-hand” grab, or they grab the wrist directly across from them.
- The Defender (Nage): Uses the momentum of the grab to lead the attacker into a throw or a pin.
Why Practice Katate Dori?
Aikido uses this grab to teach several foundational skills:
- Relaxation: If you tense up when someone grabs your wrist, you lose your mobility. You learn to keep your arm heavy but relaxed.
- Leading: You don’t pull back against the grab. Instead, you move your body and “lead” the attacker’s hand through space.
- Unbalancing: By moving your center of gravity, you make the attacker’s grip feel weak without using muscle.
Common Variations
| Term | Meaning | The Action |
| Gyaku Hamni Katate Dori | Standard Grab | Partner grabs the wrist directly across from them (Left to Right). |
| Kosa Dori | Cross-hand Grab | Partner reaches across their body to grab (Right to Right). |
| Morote Dori | Two-on-One | Partner uses both of their hands to grab one of your wrists. |
Summary: Katate Dori is a fundamental practice where one person grabs the other’s wrist. It serves as the starting point for learning how to redirect force and maintain balance under pressure.