KOKAKIDS - Junior Judo Magazine

Judo Throws – The Ultimate Guide to Every Technique

Judo Throws

Judo Throws and Holds – this is our Ultimate Guide to how to throw with every technique in the Judo Syllabus.

Please link to us! Direct your judoka to this page using this link:
https://www.kokakids.co.uk/judo-throws

We have included all 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo, the 40 Throws of the Gokyo no Waza, plus 32 Groundwork judo techniques.

Download: All the Judo Throws in the Gokyo (pdf file)

Judo throws list

Want to keep track of the techniques as you learn them? We have put together this free resource – a check list of al the throws in the Gokyo.

That’s right! Download the whole Gokyo.

Tick off the techniques as you learn them and if they become your tokei-waza (favourite judo move) make sure you star them. Download it now!

50 Judo Throws and Holds Book

But if you are serious about improving your judo – buy a copy of “50 Throws and Holds,” our best-selling judo technique book for juniors.

This book will help junior judoka remember the names of all the different judo throws and improve their skills faster.

Each technique of the complete Gokyo is fully illustrated, with a clear step-by-step tutorial.

Buy the book and learn all the judo throws.

Judo Book for Kids — https://www.kokakids.co.uk/product/50-throws-holds

Menu of Throws

We are going to be covering a lot of waza! So to make life easier, use this table of contents to jump the section you want:

The Complete Gokyo
Best Judo Throws
Teaching Technique
Judo Techniques for Beginners
Advanced Judo Techniques
67 Throws of Kodokan Judo
Judo Groundwork Techniques
Technique Teaching Resources

Judo throws pictures

You will find pictures and technique tutorials on most throws. Just click the name to find out what combinations and counters go with that technique and get some useful technique tips.

See the animated gifs of each technique and easily identify the different throws.

Click the technique name (below) to watch the animation of that throw.

Gokyo

What is the Judo Gokyo?

So, onto the techniques! Let’s start with the Gokyo. What is the Gokyo?

The Gokyo no Waza (as is its full name) is the standard syllabus of judo throws, as revised by the Kodokan in 1920, in Tokyo, Japan.

There are a total of 40 throws, presented in 5 sets or groups, and each group consists of eight techniques (waza.)

Judo Gokyo Waza

Here are all 40 Nage Waza (throwing techniques) in the Gokyo:

Dai-ikkyo (Group1)

Click on the name of the judo throw to get a technique tutorial.

De-ashi-barai
Hiza-guruma
Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi
Uki-goshi
O-soto-gari
O-goshi
O-uchi-gari
Seoi-nage

Dai-nikyo (Group 2)

Ko-soto-gari
Ko-uchi-gari
Koshi-guruma
Tsurikomi-goshi
Okuri-ashi-barai
Tai-Otoshi
Harai-goshi
Uchi-mata

Dai-sankyo (Group 3)

Ko-soto-gake
Tsuri-goshi
Yoko-otoshi
Ashi-guruma
Hane-goshi
Harai-tsurikomi-ashi
Tomoe-nage
Kata-guruma

Dai-yonkyo (Group 4)

Sumi-gaeshi
Tani-otoshi
Hane-makikomi
Sukui-nage
Utsuri-goshi
O-guruma
Soto-makikomi
Uki-otoshi

Dai-gokyo (Group 5)

O-soto-guruma
Uki-waza
Yoko-wakare
Yoko-guruma
Ushiro-goshi
Ura-nage
Sumi-otoshi
Yoko-gake

Judo Gokyo Poster

Want a poster of the Gokyo? Well we can do better than that! We have banners. Display the entire Gokyo at your dojo; each banner shows one group of eight techniques, and there are five banners in the whole set.

Best Judo Throws

What are the best judo throws? The answer depends on many factors; physicality, ability, direction, timing to name but a few.

And the answer, if you are tall is likely to be very different to if you are small. Strong, explosive judoka will like different waza to fast, skilful players.

Like my judo coach would say: The best throw is the one that works!

And judo has throws to suit everyone, no matter their size, or ability or strength.

Top Ten Throws

However, if you are looking at a good place to start building a range of judo throws – this would be my top ten.

Ippon Seoi-Nage
Morote Seoi-nage
Kouchi-Gari
Ouchi-Gari
Uchi-Mata
Tai-Otoshi
Sumi-Gaeshi
Harai-Goshi
De-Ashi Barai.
Osoto-Gari.

This set of ten throws teaches a very important skill: and that is to throw in all eight directions. Backwards, forwards, to both sides, and all four diagonals in between.

Always learn to throw both to the right (migi) and to the left (hidari), starting slowly, then introduce speed, movement and combinations.

If we can learn to throw in all directions we have a great advantage when we come up against different opponents. The trick being to find your opponent’s weak direction – and throw towards that.

Once learnt, these ten throws interlink to make classic combinations like Ouchi-Gari into Uchi-Mata, or De-Ashi-Barai into Osoto-Gari, or Uchi-Mata into Sumi-Gaeshi.

Learning renzoku-waza (linking throws in different directions) and renraku-waza (linking throws in the same direction) will improve your judo greatly.

Top Ten Throws Coach Pack

Top Ten Throws is a teaching resource pack for judo coaches, with pictures of all ten judo techniques, step-by-step throwing guides and certificates.

Technique PDF

These ten throws form the basis to the follow-on resource pack: Advanced Judo Combinations. This pack provides resources to teach 20 judo combinations, based around the top ten throws.

Teaching & Learning Technique

There are key stages to learning or teaching any throw.

Grip – know what is the correct grip (kumi-kata) for each technique. This could be a simple collar (eri) and sleeve (sode) grip, or something more advanced.
Break Balance – move uke to destabilise. Kuzushi is the Japanese term for breaking balance, and it is the starting point for every technique.
Entry – turn in for the attack.
Footwork – correct placement of support foot (or feet). Footwork is key to balance. A badly placed support foot will mean the whole technique is likely to collapse.
Alignment and Direction – ensure body and head is aligned in the correct direction for throw. Look where you want to throw, and the rest of the body should follow.
Timing – get the timing right.
Finish – complete the throw with control.

Judo Techniques for Beginners

What are the basic judo throws? Which techniques are suitable for novice and beginner judoka?

British Judo Association recommend as part of the Mon Grade Technical Syllabus starting with these ten techniques.

These throws wold be suitable for red, yellow and orange belt judoka.

Uki-Goshi
Tai-Otoshi
Ippon Seoi-Nage
Ko-Uchi-Gari
Tsuri-Komi-Goshi
O-Goshi
Osoto-Gari
Kosoto-Gari
Kosoto-Gake
Morote Seoi-Nage

Judo Throws Red Belt

Uki-Goshi is a great judo throw for children starting judo. Combine it with a follow up into groundwork judo with the hold down: Kuzure Kesa-Gatame.

Judo Throws Yellow Belt

British Judo recommends Tai-Otoshi and Ippon Seoi-Nage for intermediate judoka who are progressing to grading for yellow belt.

Judo Throws Orange Belt

For orange belt judoka choose techniques like: Ko-Uchi-Gari, Tsuri-Komi-Goshi, O-Goshi, Osoto-Gari, Kosoto-Gari, Kosoto-Gake and Morote Seoi-Nage

For full technical syllabus requirements visit the website of your National Governing Body:

British Judo Association

Judo Scotland

Irish Judo

USJA Judo

Judo Advanced Techniques

Advanced judo techniques are typically those which require a high degree of control and timing.

Important: Although officially recognised by Kodokan Judo, some of these throws are prohibited for junior judoka and some (any that include touching the trouser leg or belt for example) are banned at International competition.

Ura-Nage
Yoko-Wakare
Sumi-Gaeshi
Tomoe-Nage
Utsuri-Goshi
Kata-Guruma
Okuri-Ashi-Barai
Hane-Goshi
Obi-Otoshi
Kani-Basame

Judo Throws You Tube

There are also advanced ways of doing basic techniques. The UK company, Fighting Films specialises in providing videos of world-class competitors demonstrating their specialised versions of judo throws.

Sign up to Superstar judo or watch these 3 clips from Fighting Films available on You Tube to see some remarkable and technically advanced judo.

Here are 3 basic techniques performed expertly by world class champions:

Kosoto off the grip

one handed Seoinage

drop knee Tai-Otoshi

All Judo Techniques

But still you want more? You want everything there is?!? Well, if you are looking for every single judo technique then you need the Shinmeisho no Waza.

What is the Shinmeisho no Waza?

The Shinmeisho no Waza is the complete range of throws recognised by the Kodokan. In 1982, the Kodokan added 8 traditional judo throws and 17 modern judo techniques to the 40 throws of the Gokyo. Then in 1997, two more throws were added, to make the 67 official throws recognised by the Kodokan.

What is the Kodokan?

Kodokan means in English: “a place to teach the path,” and this was the name Jigoro Kano gave to his training hall.

Today the Kodokan, in Tokyo, Japan is the mecca of international judo. Over eight floors, the Kodokan has a Main Dojo, A Women’s Dojo, A School Dojo, An International Dojo, A Boys Dojo and a Special Dojo.

The 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo

Visit the Kodokan official website to download the list of all 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo in English and Japanese.

Or scroll down to see the full list:

Judo Hand Throws

Te-waza (16 techniques)

1 Seoi-nage
2 Ippon-seoi-nage
3 Seoi-otoshi
4 Tai-otoshi
5 Kata-guruma
6 Sukui-nage
7 Obi-otoshi
8 Uki-otoshi
9 Sumi-otoshi
10 Yama-arashi
11 Obi-tori-gaeshi
12 Morote-gari
13 Kuchiki-taoshi
14 Kibisu-gaeshi
15 Uchi-mata-sukashi
16 Ko-uchi-gaeshi

Hip Throws

Koshi-waza (10 techniques)

1 Uki-goshi
2 O-goshi
3 Koshi-guruma
4 Tsurikomi-goshi
5 Sode-tsurikomi-goshi
6 Harai-goshi
7 Tsuri-goshi
8 Hane-goshi
9 Utsuri-goshi
10 Ushiro-goshi

Leg Throws

Ashi-waza (21 techniques)

1 De-ashi-harai
2 Hiza-guruma
3 Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi
4 O-soto-gari
5 O-uchi-gari
6 Ko-soto-gari
7 Ko-uchi-gari
8 Okuri-ashi-harai
9 Uchi-mata
10 Ko-soto-gake
11 Ashi-guruma
12 Harai-tsurikomi-ashi
13 O-guruma
14 O-soto-guruma
15 O-soto-otoshi
16 Tsubame-gaeshi
17 O-soto-gaeshi
18 O-uchi-gaeshi
19 Hane-goshi-gaeshi
20 Harai-goshi-gaeshi
21 Uchi-mata-gaeshi

Sacrifice Throws

Ma-sutemi-waza (5 techniques)

1 Tomoe-nage
2 Sumi-gaeshi
3 Hikikomi-gaeshi
4 Tawara-gaeshi
5 Ura-nage

Yoko-sutemi-waza (16 techniques)

1 Yoko-otoshi
2 Tani-otoshi
3 Hane-makikomi
4 Soto-makikomi
5 Uchi-makikomi
6 Uki-waza
7 Yoko-wakare
8 Yoko-guruma
9 Yoko-gake
10 Daki-wakare
11 O-soto-makikomi
12 Uchi-mata-makikomi
13 Harai-makikomi
14 Ko-uchi-makikomi
15 Kani-basami *a prohibited waza for competition
16 Kawazu-gake *a prohibited waza

Judo Groundwork Techniques

Groundwork judo is known as ne-waza in Japanese. Osaekomi-waza means hold downs are are suitable for juniors. See the newaza bundle for more on groundwork judo for juniors.

Shime-waza and Kansetsu-waza mean strangle-holds and arm-locks are are only allowed to be performed advanced adult judoka.

Hold downs

Osaekomi-waza / (10 techniques)

1 Kesa-gatame
2 Kuzure-kesa-gatame
3 Ushiro-kesa-gatame
4 Kata-gatame
5 Kami-shiho-gatame
6 Kuzure-kami-shiho-gatame
7 Yoko-shiho-gatame
8 Tate-shiho-gatame
9 Uki-gatame
10 Ura-gatame

Strangle Holds

Shime-waza (12 techniques)

1 Nami-juji-jime
2 Gyaku-juji-jime
3 Kata-juji-jime
4 Hadaka-jime
5 Okuri-eri-jime
6 Kataha-jime
7 Katate-jime
8 Ryote-jime
9 Sode-guruma-jime
10 Tsukkomi-jime
11 Sankaku-jime
12 Do-jime* a prohibited waza*

Arm locks

Kansetsu-waza (10 techniques)

1 Ude-garami
2 Ude-hishigi-juji-gatame
3 Ude-hishigi-ude-gatame
4 Ude-hishigi-hiza-gatame
5 Ude-hishigi-waki-gatame
6 Ude-hishigi-hara-gatame
7 Ude-hishigi-ashi-gatame
8 Ude-hishigi-te-gatame
9 Ude-hishigi-sankaku-gatame
10 Ashi-garami* a prohibited waza

Judo Technique Names

It helps to know some Japanese to understand the technique names. Once you get a basic grasp of body parts and movement, then the Japanese name begins to make sense.

Te = hand
Ashi = foot
Hiza = knee
Sode = sleeve
Ude = arm
Eri = collar
Koshi = hip
Guruma = wheel
Mae = forwards
Yoko = sideways
Ushiro = backwards

Technique Books and Resources

So, that my judo friends, is that! Our ultimate guide to every judo throw there is. Please do link to this page or share it if you have found it useful.

To end this Technical Guide here are our top five technical resources to be used both by judoka learning skills and coaches teaching them.

50 Throws and Holds book £6.99
Top Ten Throws bundle of downloadable coaching resources £49.99
Gokyo Throws Technique Progress Chart, free
Advanced Judo Combinations, a bundle of coaching resources to teach 20 combinations £49.99
Koka Kids Junior Judo magazine, Club or Individual Subscriptions

For more visit our Shop or Coaching Resource page.