Judo Throws – The Ultimate Guide to Every Technique
Judo Throws
Judo Throws – this the Ultimate Guide to all 40 Throws of the Gokyo no Waza. Learn every judo technique. See animations of each throw. Get tips from champions. Mark your progress with a free technique tick-chart.
Coaches and Website owners, please link to us! Direct your judoka to this page using this link:
https://www.kokakids.co.uk/judo-throws
How to use this page
Want to find out how to do a judo throw?
- Scroll down and click on the name of the technique you want to learn.
- Go a the tutorial page with an animation of that judo technique and get tips on how to do the throw.
- Download a handy tick-chart with each throw of the Gokyo.
- Practise! Start slowly with Shadow Uchi-Komi and build skill before speed.
- When you can do a technique tick it off on your tick-chart.
Hajime!
What is the Judo Gokyo?
The Gokyo no Waza is the standard syllabus of judo throws, as revised by the Kodokan in 1920, in Tokyo, Japan.
The Gokyo is made up of a total of 40 throws (5 groups of 8 techniques) – and they are all listed below.
Read on to see all 40 throws of The Gokyo!
Let’s begin! Hajime!
Dai-ikkyo (Group1)
Click the technique name (below) to go to the animation and full 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
Kouchi-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
Fifty Holds and Throws in one book!
“50 Throws and Holds,” is our best-selling judo technique book for juniors. It contains the complete Judo Syllabus known as The Gokyo. That’s 40 judo throws. Plus there are 10 ground-work (newaza) turnovers and hold downs.
You can buy Fifty Throws and Holds in the Shop.
Judo throws pictures
Each technique is fully illustrated, with a clear step-by-step tutorial. With pictures of all the judo throws it is easier to visualise, learn and recall the techniques.
Download: All the Judo Throws in the Gokyo (pdf file)
Judo throws list – learn and tick!
Want to keep track of the techniques you learn? Well, lucky for you, we have just the thing. A technique tick-chart, with all the judo throws listed
Click to download a handy check list of every judo throw.
Mark your progress
Mark your progress. Tick off the techniques as you learn them, and star them if they are your tokei-waza (favourite judo move.)
Download your judo throws list now!
Feeling energetic? If you are, choose your favourite throws from the list below and attempt the Uchi-Komi Challenge.
More Content…
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
Where to start?
With so many judo throws to learn it’s difficult to know where to begin.
There are judo techniques for beginners. Other more suitable for yellow or orange belt judoka. And then there are some really advanced judo techniques.
Over time, you will specialise in those techniques that work best for you.
But at the beginning, don’t specialise. Instead aim to learn and understand all the throws of the Gokyo.
The more you learn the better, both to know how to defend as well as attack.
Here are some tips to guide you when you study any new throw…
7 Tips to Learning Any Judo Throw
Each time you study a new throw focus on the following:
- Grip – know what the correct grip (kumi-kata) is for each technique. This could be a simple collar (eri) and sleeve (sode) grip, or something more advanced.
- Break Balance – move uke before attacking. Kuzushi is the Japanese term for breaking balance, and it is the starting point for every technique.
- Entry – turning in. Focus on the entry to the attack.
- Footwork – correct placement of your support foot (or feet). Good footwork is the key to good balance.
- 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?
The British Judo Association recommends, starting with these ten techniques.
- Uki-Goshi
- Tai-Otoshi
- Ippon Seoi-Nage
- Ko-Uchi-Gari
- Tsuri-Komi-Goshi
- O-Goshi
- Osoto-Gari
- Kosoto-Gari
- Kosoto-Gake
- Morote Seoi-Nage
Always learn to throw both to the right (migi) and to the left (hidari), starting slowly, then introduce speed, movement and combinations.
Best Judo Throws
What are the best judo throws?
Now that is a difficult question to answer.
My judo coach would say: The best throw is the one that works!
The best’ judo throw varies from judoka to judoka. Certain throws suit tall judoka better than smaller judoka.
There are throws that demand a lot of strength, and others that require skill and timing.
But don’t worry. It doesn’t matter what size, or ability or strength you are we guarantee there will be a judo throw to suit you.
You will find what your best judo throws are over time.
However, if you are looking a to start building a range of judo throws – this would be my top ten.
Top Ten Throws (by Nik Fairbrother)
- Ippon Seoi-Nage
- Morote Seoi-nage
- Kouchi-Gari
- Ouchi-Gari
- Uchi-Mata
- Tai-Otoshi
- Sumi-Gaeshi
- Harai-Goshi
- De-Ashi Barai.
- Osoto-Gari.
Learn to throw in all 8 Directions
These are my top ten throws because they cover all eight throwing directions (backwards, forwards, to both sides, and towards all four diagonals.)
Learn to throw in all directions and you’ll have the advantage when up against different opponents.
Build your range
Building a range of technique. Keep that range as wide as possible. Take a look at your own judo. Where you are strongest and weakest? Is there are direction you can’t throw towards? If so, pick an appropriate throw and begin to study it.
Link them up!
Once you have built up a range of throws, learn how to link two throws together to make a combination.
You can use the ten throws listed above to build endless combinations: like Ouchi-Gari into Uchi-Mata, or De-Ashi-Barai into Osoto-Gari, or Uchi-Mata into Sumi-Gaeshi or… this list goes on, there are so many to choose from!
Learning renzoku-waza (linking throws in different directions) and renraku-waza (linking throws in the same direction) is the next step in mastering the sport of judo.
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 – for coaches!
These ten throws form the basis to two coaching resource packs. Judo coaches! Take a look at Top Ten Throws and Advanced Judo Combinations.
Belt up!
You need to learn techniques to progress up the grades. Do you know what you need to learn to get to the next colour belt?
Here are a few recommendations for suitable techniques to learn depending on your judo grade.
Judo Throws Red Belt
De-Ashi-Barai and Uki-Goshi are great judo throws for children holding a red or white belt. 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 grading up to yellow belt.
Judo Throws Orange Belt
For judoka studying for their orange belt choose from: 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:
Judo Advanced Techniques
Advanced judo techniques require a high degree of control and timing. These should only be done by high-grade judoka, and only then under supervision.
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 judo moves. The UK company, Fighting Films specialises in filming world-class competitors demonstrating their specialised versions of judo throws.
Sign up to Superstar judo or watch these three video 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:
Guru Level
What is the Shinmeisho no Waza?
The Shinmeisho no Waza is the complete range of throws recognised by the Kodokan (see below for a full list).
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.
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.
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.
See all the throws in the Shinmeisho no Waza…
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.
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
Strangles and Armlocks
Shime-waza and Kansetsu-waza mean strangle-holds and arm-locks are are only allowed to be performed advanced adult judoka.
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 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
To end this Ultimate Guide to Every Judo Technique 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
- Download: All the Judo Throws in the Gokyo (pdf file)
- 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.
So that, my judo friends, is that! Our ultimate guide to every judo throw there is. Please do link to this page from your club website – or click a share button and share to social media. Thank you!
