How to perform the Uki Goshi Judo hip throw

The Uki Goshi is a hip throw that is frequently used in Judo. As it uses the hips, it falls under the term of ‘floating hips’ which is where the opponent is balanced on your hips, before being tipped onto the ground. The throw is often mistaken with the O Goshi due to many similarities. However, the primary difference between the two is that the Uki Goshi uses your hips more of a rotation, whereas the O Goshi loads the opponent onto your hips more.

In other words, the Uki Goshi puts the uke onto the side or edge of your hips, whereas the O Goshi has the opponent deeper, towards the center. This move is popular in the Judo world and can be chained together with similar hip, Goshi attacks. Similarly, a lot of its entries are similar to those used with other hip throws, albeit its finishing mechanics are what makes it a unique technique.

It should also be noted that the Uki Goshi was one of the first 40 throws developed in Judo by master Kano. In fact, it has often been said that it was one of his favorite moves. With this said, if it’s good enough for the founder of Judo then it should be good enough for almost anyone!

Setting up the Uki Goshi

Like many hip throws, the Uki Goshi follows the standard procedure in terms of entering the move. This involves getting your correct gi grips in order and then stepping your right foot into the opponent’s right foot, or left to left if that is your main side. This should be done with your toes pointing down to be able to pivot easier. Obviously, if your feet are flat then you will be less mobile. A good example of this is looking at the toes of a ballerina. Often, these will point down which makes moving about easier. With your other foot, you should then follow the same pattern and twist underneath the opponent. This means turning your back on them, so you are looking in the same direction.

With your footwork established, you should also be looking at your upper body grips too. After making your first step to pivot on, you should change one of your grips as you get closer to the opponent. This means removing your collar grip and replacing it with a belt grip around the back. The belt grip is secured to make the throw tighter and keep the opponent close. With this in mind, you should only attempt this grip when you’re close enough, otherwise you may lose contact entirely.

The reason why you grab the belt instead of reaching for the armpit is that the belt grip is more secure. Mid-throw, your fingers could slip out with a loose grip, whereas this is highly unlikely by gripping the belt. Ideally, you want to almost be grabbing the far hip-side of the belt, instead of grabbing the belt on their back. This will mean your arm is as tight as possible throughout.

Finishing the Uki Goshi

To finish the Uki Goshi, you then want to engage your hips with the opponent. For taller Judoka’s, you may need to squat under the hips to get your hips lower than theirs. The idea is that your hips will bear the weight of the opponent and be used as leverage to throw them. This means after you squat, you want to quickly bring your backside up to create elevation.

Remember, with the Uki Goshi the idea isn’t to get all of the opponent’s hips in line with yours. There are certain throws where this is possible, but instead, you want their hips to the side of yours. This means, you aren’t throwing them directly over your shoulder, the throw shouldn’t be done at a 90 degree angle. Instead, you almost want them to slip off the side of your hips.

At this point, you can either keep the belt grip or punch it towards their armpit. Both are based on preference and it depends on the individual. Generally, the belt grip is seen as safe, however the armpit punch will help generate momentum and throw the opponent’s upper body towards the air, adding more power to the throw. At the same time, you should also be pulling the elbow to the other side. This elbow grip is the one constant part of the technique that doesn’t move throughout the throw. Like many Judo throws, you will need to drag the elbow to add torque to the finish of the throw.

Typically, the Uki Goshi is ended by maintaining the elbow grip and standing over the opponent with their back on the floor. Ideally, you should score an Ippon from this. However, you can also transition into a juji gatame by keeping hold of the elbow and swinging your legs around the head. In some cases, you can decide to jump mid-air with the throw. This will result in you landing in a pinning position such as kesa gatame.

Issues with the Uki Goshi

Perhaps the main issue that students run into with the Uki Goshi is that your opponent can sometimes get to their feet whilst on your hip. Unlike the O Goshi, you are not meant to load them entirely on the back of your hips. This means if you don’t use enough power, speed or have enough of their hip covered, then they can counter by slipping off and connecting their feet to the floor. This is obviously a big issue as it means you can get countered with a Tani Otoshi.

Because of this, it is advised to make sure you’re opponent is on your hips enough before finishing the throw. Obviously, you don’t want to wait around either, as soon as they are on the hips, you have to commit to the throw. As ever, a common, long-term solution to this is to practice uchikomi. By drilling this enough, eventually your errors should lessen and your understanding and feel of the Uki Goshi will significantly improve.

Using the Uki Goshi in MMA and no gi

For those wondering, the Uki Goshi is also commonly used in MMA and without the gi. This means it has practical implications for self defense away from Judo. Of course, your entry will be different, however the finishing mechanics will stay the same. To do the Uki Goshi in no gi, you will need to grip the wrist or elbow. Although the elbow is preferred in the gi, this is not as easy without the material and can slip out. As a result, you may need to gain wrist control which is easier to hold.

With the grip that would usually grab the belt, you should instead hug around and grab at the hips. From there, the rest of the throw is roughly the same. To clarify, in an MMA setting it is the opening grips that significantly differ. On a positive note, if you happened to land this in MMA, you would be in a highly advantageous position. For obvious reasons, you could attack an armbar or simply rain down punches on the opponent who would be on the floor.