How To Perform Hane Goshi – Spring Hip Throw

The hane goshi is a traditional judo throwing technique developed by Kano Jigoro. Hane goshi is a kodokan throwing technique and is also included in the American Danzan Ryu nagete list.

Being named the “spring hip throw”, the hane goshi is classified as a nage-waza with a koshi waza sub classification. This should be fairly obvious given its English name. In fact, it is quite difficult to distinguish between the various hip throws when performed at speed. There are subtle differences between uchi mata, hane goshi, and harai goshi. Since these are all hip throws, the only real difference between the throws is leg placement and some small adjustments to throw mechanics.

The hane goshi is a very common throw in judo, but what makes it unusual is that it has a counter directly related to its own name. The hane goshi gaeshi is a 100% direct counter to the hane goshi. The counter is a low-risk foot sweep technique (classified as a foot throw) that puts the opponent to the ground before they have completed a hane goshi entry.

Hane Goshi Setup

Hane goshi as a stand-alone throw is typically entered from a standard collar and sleeve grip. It is entered by cross stepping towards your sleeve grip, so if you have the sleeve of the opponent in your left hand, you will step your right foot over to this side.

From here you should pivot your body and perform a backstep with your other foot. The landing place of this foot should be close to your lead leg, but further behind and closer to the body of the opponent.

After this, you should pull the body of the opponent over your hips. It is always a good idea to perform a mini one-legged squat before you throw the opponent even if they are taller than you. This is in case the opponent also squats to make their center of gravity lower.

Throw Mechanics

The mechanics of hane goshi are somewhat original compared to other hip throws. Although the entries are very similar to other throws such as uchi mata and the throws can be used interchangeably, there is a significant difference in how to complete either throw.

Firstly you must get very close to the uke and make sure your hips are lower than theirs. The closer you are to your opponent’s hips, the easier it will be for you to throw them. The same can be said for your collar grip. Your elbow must close downwards in order to keep close contact, rather than opening up sideways and creating distance between you and the uke.

From here, your throwing leg must keep a bent leg with your knee facing outwards. Your throwing leg must remain on the inside of your opponent’s outer leg. This is typically different from other hip throws which generally requires a straight leg as well as different leg positioning. There are a few variations with the height of the throwing leg. The technique is still considered a hane goshi whether the throwing leg is either high or low.

What remains the same is that the throwing leg moves up, whilst your head moves downwards. This forces the opponent to be lifted up by your hips and blocked by your throwing leg.

Hane Goshi Use In Other Grappling Sports

The hane goshi is widely used in other sports such as BJJ and sambo. Whilst judo throws aren’t too typical in these sports, they are used occasionally, especially by judokas competing in other rulesets.

The common deficiency of hip throws outside of judo is that although they are not considered sacrifice techniques, they do require some kind of sacrifice under other rules. The reason for this is that you’re exposing your back to an opponent who is allowed to jump on top of you and attempt choking techniques.

The benefit of a hane goshi is that it will lead to some good newaza opportunities. If you remain standing and maintain sleeve control over the opponent, you will find yourself in a good setup for an armbar. If you are to follow your opponent to the mat, not only will the impact be bigger, but there will also be a decent chance of kesa gatame or other submission attempts from side control.

Hane Goshi Gaeshi

The hane goshi gaeshi means “spring hip reversal” and is a direct counter to the hane goshi. Although it is primarily used as a counter against hane goshi, it can also sometimes be used against various other hip throws, depending on the placement of the opponent’s feet.

Hane goshi gaeshi is all about timing. If performed too soon, it will discourage the opponent from entering the throw and will not be able to be done. If the counter is performed too late, this is even worse as you will already by flying through the air and have no chance of stopping the original throw.

The foot throw will mostly become available when the opposing judoka performs a poor hane goshi to begin with. An example of this would be entering the throw with very high hips. You have a relatively low risk of being thrown since your opponent has high hips and will have a much better chance of performing the counter since your opponent will have to waste time lowering their own hips.

Throwing Mechanics

When timed perfectly, the opponent should have already lifted their throwing leg from the floor. This means you only have to attack one leg, as 100% of the opponent’s weight is distributed through their standing leg.

The mechanics of hane goshi gaeshi are relatively simple. Your upper body is essentially throwing the opponent’s body into the space where you have removed their leg. To remove the opponent’s leg you must perform a sweeping kick wrapped behind the opponent’s ankle. Whilst this isn’t a full power “kick”. It does need enough power to remove the opponent’s leg from the floor.

The hane goshi gaeshi is not a typical foot sweep, it is a foot throwing technique. Most foot sweep techniques require you to kick your opponent’s foot into their other leg. The hane goshi gaeshi is not like this, you are only required to sweep the standing leg to throw the opponent since their throwing leg should already be in the air.