Tate shiho variation

Tate shiho variation is the judo-derived name for the knee-on-belly pin used as a transitional variant of tate shiho gatame — the vertical four-corners hold from which the attacker drops one knee onto the opponent’s torso to maintain pressure with a smaller footprint than the full mount.

Etymology. Tate (縦) means “vertical” or “lengthwise”; shiho (四方) means “four corners”; the “variation” suffix describes the knee-on-belly as a positional alternative to the full tate shiho gatame mount pin. In legacy judo osaekomi-waza terminology, the knee-on-belly position appears as a transition between tate shiho gatame and other pin variants, with the lifted-knee posture allowing the attacker to shift weight, threaten submissions, or reposition without releasing the pin context entirely.

Mechanics. The configuration drops one knee onto the opponent’s torso while the other leg posts wide for base; the attacker’s upper body stays relatively upright, leaving the hands free for grip work or submission threats. The knee’s concentrated downward pressure restricts the opponent’s breathing and frame generation; the off-knee leg’s base provides stability and prevents the bottom player from rolling the attacker off via bridge.

Cross-reference. BJJ and English-speaking no-gi use “knee-on-belly” or “knee-on-stomach.” Full mechanical coverage on Knee-On-Belly.