Judo Throws – this is the Ultimate Guide to all 40 Throws of the Gokyo no Waza. Here, you can learn every judo technique there is in the Judo Syllabus.
Learn by watching animations of each waza. Each judo technique is animated, to help you visualise the throw before you try it.
Find out how link throws into combinations and discover the counters you need to watch out for!
And why not keep track? Mark your progress with a free technique tick-chart. Tick the throws off as you learn them, and star your tokui-waza.
Download: Free Technique Tick Chart (pdf file)
Coaches and Website owners, please link to us! Direct your judoka to this page using this link:
https://www.kokakids.co.uk/judo-throws
Click the name of the judo throws (below) to watch the animation and go to the full tutorial.
Here are the eight judo techniques that belong to the Dai-Ikkyo, Group 1 of the Gokyo.
De-ashi-barai
Hiza-guruma
Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi
Uki-goshi
O-soto-gari
O-goshi
O-uchi-gari
Seoi-nage
Click the name of the judo throws (below) to watch the animation and go to the full tutorial.
Here are the eight judo waza that belong to the second group of Jigoro Kano’s Gokyo called the Dai-Nikyo. Learn them all!
Ko-soto-gari
Kouchi-gari
Koshi-guruma
Tsurikomi-goshi
Okuri-ashi-barai
Tai-Otoshi
Harai-goshi
Uchi-mata
Here are the judo throws you need to learn to complete the third set of the Judo Gokyo. This group is called Dai-Sankyo.
Click the name of the judo throws (below) to watch the animation and go to the full tutorial..
Ko-soto-gake
Tsuri-goshi
Yoko-otoshi
Ashi-guruma
Hane-goshi
Harai-tsurikomi-ashi
Tomoe-nage
Kata-guruma
Click the name of the judo throw (below) to watch the animation and go to the full tutorial.
Well done for making it to group 4 of the Gokyo. Here are another eight judo moves for you to add to your range of techniques. This group is called Dai-Yonkyo.
Sumi-gaeshi
Tani-otoshi
Hane-makikomi
Sukui-nage
Utsuri-goshi
O-Guruma
Soto-makikomi
Uki-otoshi
Click the name of the judo throw (below) to watch the animation and go to the full tutorial.
You have made it to the final group of the Gokyo, with the last set of techniques to learn! Congratulations!
O-soto-guruma
Uki-waza
Yoko-wakare
Yoko-guruma
Ushiro-goshi
Ura-nage
Sumi-otoshi
Yoko-gake
So, now you are probably asking this question:
What’s the Gokyo?
Glad you asked! The Gokyo is basically a syllabus – a collection of judo throws.
It was last revised by The Kodokan, judo’s headquarters in Tokyo Japan in 1920.
There are a total of 40 judo throws. And these techniques (waza) are grouped into five groups, each group consisting of eight techniques.
Get all the techniques above in one handy judo book. With clear step-by-step tutorials on all the waza you will soon be a judo expert.
Download: All the Judo Throws in the Gokyo (pdf file)
Want to keep track of the techniques you learn? 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.
Feeling energetic? If you are, choose your favourite throws from the list below and attempt the Uchi-Komi Challenge.
Use this menu to jump to different sections:
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
The more judo throws you learn the better judoka you will be!
At the beginning, don’t specialise. Aim to learn and understand as many techniques as you can.
Always learn to throw both to the right (migi) and to the left (hidari).
Study each technique, starting slowly until you get the hang of it. The build up some speed, and when you’re ready add in movement.
Here are the secrets to mastering any technique…
Yes, that’s right! These seven points apply to all judo moves. Keep coming back to these key points, as you study a new waza and your judo will keep getting better.
There are judo techniques for beginners, and then there are some really advanced judo techniques that should only be done by experts (which we take a look at later in this post).
If you are unsure, what is appropriate for your level ask your sensei. And always ask your judo coach before attempting anything new.
For a quick answer to which techniques are suitable for novice and beginner judoka see this list from The British Judo Association.
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.
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.
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.
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.
These ten throws form the basis to two coaching resource packs. Judo coaches! Take a look at Top Ten Throws and Advanced Judo Combinations.
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.
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.
British Judo recommends Tai-Otoshi and Ippon Seoi-Nage for intermediate judoka who are grading up to yellow 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:
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.
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:
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.
Visit the Kodokan official website to download the list of all 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo in English and Japanese.
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.
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
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
Having good footwork is the key to having great judo! Adding ashi-waza to your repertoire is a must.
Ashi-waza brings movement to your judo.
Use ashi-waza to break balance. To set up for a second throw. Or to score beautiful, elegant ippons.
See our guide to the Top Five Ashi-waza for Beginners.
Better still learn all 21:
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
1 Tomoe-nage
2 Sumi-gaeshi
3 Hikikomi-gaeshi
4 Tawara-gaeshi
5 Ura-nage
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
Groundwork judo is known as ne-waza in Japanese. Osaekomi-waza means hold downs.
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
Shime-waza and Kansetsu-waza mean strangle-holds and arm-locks are are only allowed to be performed advanced adult judoka.
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*
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
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
To end this Ultimate Guide to Every Judo Technique here are our top five technical resources for judoka and coaches.
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!
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