How to do the Hikikomi Gaeshi Judo throw

The hikikomi gaeshi is Judo throw that is also known as ‘pull in counter’ in English. Due to its nature of falling back, it is regarded as a sacrifice throw and relies on using a Georgian grip to control the movement and posture of the opponent. The idea of the hikikomi gaeshi is to fall back as if sitting on your backside. Whilst doing this, you should then use the momentum and power of the Georgian grip to throw the opponent over their head.

Because of this, the hikikomi gaeshi relies on the opponent engaging forward. This is where the term ‘pull in counter’ comes in, meaning the hikikomi gaeshi is often used as a counter against an aggressive opponent.

How to get the Georgian grip

As the throw is heavily reliant on the Georgian grip it is worth exploring how to get the grip. Without this grip, the throw simply cannot be done, so it is important to know. To get the Georgian grip, you need to make an angle to be able to grab the belt. This means you will need to break the posture of the opponent and get their head bent down.

There are several ways to do this, often these use timing to achieve the grip. For instance, if the opponent ducks low to enter a hip throw, you can use this chance to grip the belt. This means leaning over the back of the opponent and getting a palm down grip on the belt.

Remember, you must grab the same side of the body that is closest to you, meaning your grip should separate the head from the body. Once you have achieved this grip, you are now in control and even if you aren’t looking for the hikikomi gaeshi, then it is a grip worth holding to set up other throws and generally dominate the opponent’s body.

How to throw the opponent using the Georgian grip

Once this grip has been established, you then want to grab the elbow of the other arm. This is typical in Judo to control the arm and stop the opponent from using this arm to defend or stop the throw. Next, with the same leg on the side of your Georgian grip arm, you want to hook your foot under the opponent in their groin. This hook will act to scoop and throw the opponent later on so it is important to set up. Similar to the Tomoe Nage, this leg will be used to elevate the opponent.

However, it does not rest on the hip of the opponent. Instead, it sits around the groin area. In BJJ, this hook is referred to as a ‘butterfly’ hook and is used to raise the body of the opponent into the air. Whilst this foot is under the body, your other foot and leg should be planted on the ground. This leg is used to base off and give the elevating leg power to do the throwing.

Finishing the hikikomi gaeshi

Next, you want to fall back to the floor. This should be done whilst maintaining your grips on the gi and belt as well as having the hook in place. As soon as your body hits the floor, you then want to kick the opponent forward so they go over your body. It is ideal to fall slightly to the side so you leave adequate space for the opponent to fall into.

Regarding the elbow grip, often this is slightly modified when using the hikikomi gaeshi. Instead of pinching the elbow, you almost want to use and underhook on the elbow instead. This helps throw the opponent in your direction more and create an easier finish. Whilst you can finish the throw with a regular elbow grip, a modfied grip is more efficient. Some people also flair the elbow out mid-throw which once more adds more bit and power to the mechanics.

Naturally, upon hitting the floor the opponent will do a forwards roll to avoid spiking their head. Spiking the head is very uncommon from this position and only happens when someone tries to resist in an unusual way. To finish the throw correctly, you should then do a backward roll. This will put you on top of the opponent in a pin. If done right, you will land in the mount position with an Ippon achieved. In other combat sports such as BJJ and MMA, landing in mount is optimal. Of course, you may need to use a front headlock instead of belt grip to set up the throw.

Why the hikikomi gaeshi is based on your legs

Of course, the throw utilizes the Georgian grip. However, the bulk of the throw uses as it is a sacrifice throw after all. For novice Judoka’s, they will make the mistake of trying to fling the opponent with the upper body grips. However, the throw cannot be achieved with incorrect foot work. A good way to drill this is by pretending to throw a partner without controlling their arms. This means grabbing the belt and setting up your feet, but not holding the arms.

This will mean the opponent can base and you can get up and start the throw, again and again, to build up your muscle memory. It is also good to enter the throw without an elbow grip to improve your balance. With one less grip, you are more reliant on your legs and it’s similar to hopping. This will improve the technique of your hikikomi gaeshi in the long-term.

As a result of these drills, you should truly understand the importance of using your legs in the throw. Remember, it’s very important to have ‘active feet’ with the hooking foot. This means having your toes pointed up and not relaxed. The reason for this is that it will create more leverage by using a larger surface area of your foot. Further, by pointing the toes up, this will act as a scoop to help throw the opponent’s body.

Issues with the hikikomi gaeshi

One reason why the hikikomi gaeshi is perhaps not used as much is due to the problems if it fails. For instance, if you fail an Ashi Waza then there is little consequence. Basically, it doesn’t have drastic consequences if it goes wrong. However, the hikikomi gaeshi is quite problematic if it fails for obvious reasons. For instance, if you fail to pull the opponent over your head, then you will be sat on the floor with the opponent standing over you.

For practical reasons, this isn’t ideal – whether for Judo, BJJ, MMA, or self-defense the finishing position is particularly bad. As a result, this throw is not ideal for beginners or in high-pressure situations. To overcome these problems, it is worth drilling the move to perfection and getting comfortable with it. Having said this, in BJJ it may be acceptable due to mimicking the same results as a guard pull.