Judo Turnovers for Beginners
Why do we need to learn groundwork turnovers?
Judo turnovers for beginners are a must but too often judoka come unstuck on the ground at the first hurdle.
Your partner blocks by going on all fours (or read how to turn uke over from other common judo groundwork defences), they curl up in a tight ball.
And you don’t know what to do.
How to turn your partner over onto their back?
How to get your partner onto their back to hold them down from this defence?
We have a great turnover for this problem…
A good one for beginners to learn and here’s how to do it:
20 Judo Turnovers – Become a Newaza Ninja
This is a simple judo turnover to start with, but you will need to know more so you can get around more defences.
Take a look at 20 Judo Turnovers, and you learn how to break through any defence your opponent tries.
First let’s learn the basic Pull Through
Learning the Pull-Through
Start kneeling to the side of uke. Uke should be on all fours. This is a common groundwork defence.
Reach under your partner’s stomach with your left hand and under their chin with your right arm. Do this quickly, so you push your hands right through to the other side.
Using both hands, cup far arm just above the elbow and pull it towards you so uke topples over sideways. Use your chest to push uke over until uke is on their back.
Finish by securing the osae-komi. Try kesa-gatame, yoko-shiho-gatame or mune-gatame.
Make judo lessons more memorable – Use visual coaching aids.
Judo Turnovers for Beginners
Defence 2:
For when uke blocks by going flat
But what do you do when uke defends against the Pull Through by going flat on their stomach?
If that happens try this judo turnover for beginners and more advanced judoka too!
This is a common defence, but easy to break through.
Keeping your grip on uke’s arms, step your leg over uke’s body pulling uke over onto their back.
Becareful not to get your leg caught as your step over, as this will result in toketa (hold broken), so step over quickly.
Finish in Kesa Gatame.
How to do six groundwork judo turnovers
More interested in judo throws?
