Uchi-Mata – how to do this judo throw

Uchi-Mata

Uchi-mata is a top scoring throw at any Olympic Games and an impressive technique to add to your armoury. It is a judo throw that needs lots of commitment.

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How to throw with Uchi-Mata

1. Pull uke forwards onto their tip toes to break your partner’s balance.
2. Step in with your support leg. Aim to make contact with your hip just below uke’s belt.
3. Sweep upwards with your attacking leg, making contact with the inner thigh.
4. Look where you want to throw and finish the technique with control.

Video Masterclass

Study how to do this throw by watching this uchi-mata video.

The Uchimata King: Kosei Inoue

Kosei Inoue (triple world champion and olympic champion) from Japan has one of the best uchi-mata in the world.

Inoue has developed eight different entries to this technique, and he changes his entry if he fights a left-handed or right-handed judoka.

Watch this trailer to see how Inoue attacks. Pay attention to his whole body movement. Focus on where Inoue places his foot, and how he opens his partner up with a flick of the wrist.

Combinations

Use ashi-waza like ko-uchi-gari, kosoto-gari and ouchi-gari to set up for this throw.

If you’re attack is blocked, good follow up waza are sumi-gaeshi, ouchi-gari and tani-otoshi.

What is renraku-waza?

A renraku-waza is two or more techniques that are linked together, and throw towards the same direction.

This example above of uchi-mata into harai-goshi is a perfect example of a renraku-waza. The second attack is a continuation of the first.

Uchi-Mata Tutorial

Find clear instruction with step-by-step illustrations to help you learn this technique and many more in our Judo Books for Kids Collection available now on Amazon.

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