How To Perform The Uki Waza Floating Technique

The uki waza is a side sacrifice throw created by the founder of judo Jigoro Kano. The term uki waza roughly translates to the “floating technique”. The throw is aptly named since this is one of the most graceful ways to throw your opponent over your head onto the mat.

When performed properly, you should have full control of your opponent throughout the throw and make them land flat on their back.

Perhaps the best thing about uki waza is that it is a throw that can genuinely be set up to throw your opponent, or simply used as a counter throw when your opponent’s throw fails.

Uki Waza Setup

When considering whether to enter and uki waza attempt, or any sacrifice throw in general, you must always remember the idea of push/pull. If you are drilling, the uke will give you exactly what you want and throws will seem easy. However, when it comes to randori against a resisting opponent, things are very different.

Most of the time, you will not simply be able to enter an uki waza straight away. You will need to tempt your opponent into moving forwards, this can be done by baiting them to go backward. It may sound counterintuitive, but your opponent will always adjust once you’ve forced them to make a movement and overcompensate to what they think is coming next.

It is always important to be one step ahead of your opponent in the mental chess match of judo.

Fake Foot Sweep

One of the best ways is to enter uki waza is to make your opponent think you are attempting to throw them backward, so they adjust their weight forwards.

As an example, a ko uchi gari feint is a very good start. Any kind of inside foot sweep or reap fake will make the opponent take a back step. You already know that their natural inclination is to move forwards. This stops their weight from being distributed backward, so is a natural thing to do.

Once you feel the opponent moving forwards, you are now in a great place to attempt and uki waza with the free momentum you’ve been given.

Osoto Gari Counter

The counter to osoto gari works in a similar way to a fake foot sweep but is more of a counter throw, rather than a setup. If you are able to foresee and avoid the outer leg reap of your opponent, you will be able to step backward (which adds to the momentum). At the same time, your opponent will be leaning forwards, which is pretty much is just what’s required!

Another great thing about the osoto gari counter is that you are able to keep the standard grips you started with (collar and sleeve). There is no reason to adjust or change your grips when entering the throw.

Throw Mechanics

When performing the uki waza, you must always remember it is a throw and not a foot sweep. Not only this, but you can land on your side and not your back. When lying on your side, your upper body is much more functional and engaged compared to when lying on your back.

Using your standard grips and the power of momentum, you must bring the opponent downwards and forwards at the same time. Your outstretched leg will be used as a tripping device if necessary. It certainly shouldn’t be used to kick the opponent’s lower shins and knees – which is a bad habit of performing this throw incorrectly.

As you’re lying to one side, it is good practice to throw your opponent in a wheel motion by twisting your upper body. This will reduce their chance of athletically avoiding the throw by landing on their feet and give you a great chance of scoring ippon.

You should aim to come on top of your opponent, although at very least keep hold of your sleeve grip. This will stop your opponent from getting back to their feet as easily and also gives you a chance of attacking an armbar.

Applications to no gi grappling

Due to the lack of kimono, in no gi there are obviously no grips available. A lot of no gi is based on collar and elbow ties, however, these are not suited to uki waza since this is not enough to break the posture of an opponent.

Instead, you will need a front headlock position. You can have a front headlock with no arms, or a single arm in as if attempting a d’arce or anaconda choke. If you have a body lock with both of the opponent’s arms shooting for a double leg, then this is not the time for an uki waza, you would instead choose a tawara gaeshi.

The main idea behind a nogi front headlock throw has the same mechanics as a regular uki waza. You are trying to drive your opponent backward so they resist and push their momentum forwards. As their weight is already massively over their hips going forwards, it makes it easy for you to drop to one side and throw them over your body.

When grappling in no gi, it’s likely you are in some kind of jiu-jitsu ruleset, which is why it’s always a good idea to keep hold of your grips and try to submit your opponent from the top position.

Limitations & Flaws

Sacrifice throws all have one common problem in judo. This is when the throw is not successful. The consequences can be even worse in BJJ and MMA, where the opponent will have a good chance to submit you or strike you from the top position.

The main problem is losing control of one (or both) grips during the takedown. This causes the opponent not to be pulled into the ground as much. Atheltic judokas will be able to jump over to either side of your body and land on their feet.

Another problem is if the opponent knows what is coming and sprawls their weight backward away from their hips. When this happens you essentially just pull yourself to the floor along with your opponent’s entire body weight. Obviously, this is never a scenario you want to happen in any grappling martial art, especially judo.