How to use the Judo Kuchiki Taoshi throw

The kuchiki taoshi is a Judo throw that literally translates to English as ‘One hand drop’. This is because it relies on using your hand to drop the opponent backward by holding behind their knee. The kuchiki taoshi has many similarities to the ankle pick takedown that is popularly used in wrestling. However, there are several key differences as the kuchiki taoshi is a gi technique and actually doesn’t pick the ankle. Further, the kuchiki taoshi can be finished by using your inside leg to also trip the opponent’s other leg. Like many Judo techniques, it uses momentum and direction to trap the opponent into giving you dominant grips. From there, you can successfully set up the throw and start attacking.

It should be noted that as this throw grabs the leg, it is technically illegal in Judo. This was due to the IJF making all leg grips illegal. Sadly, the kuchiki taoshi was included in this even though it is perfectly safe. Because of this, it is ideal for randori, other martial arts, and self-defense. However, it cannot be used in a Judo competition.

Setting up the kuchiki taoshi

Starting with your typical Judo grips and stance, you should begin by moving the opponent back and forward. In general, this is a good practice to get into as it is an aggressive philosophy and can later be used to set up attacks. In the case of the kuchiki taoshi, having the opponent move back and forward is particularly important later on.

To start the throw, you should begin by pushing the uke backward – this is done by charging forward with a grip on the collar and another grip on their elbow. Next, you should walk back and allow the opponent to come forward. Naturally, most people will react to being pushed back by coming forward. This is because if you keep pushing them back, eventually they will lose balance and fall, especially if their upper body weight leans back over their heels. This is important to know and understand with the kuchiki taoshi as when they push back, you then let go of the elbow grip. With this grip, you then duck and grab the back of the opponent’s leg, behind their knee.

Specifically speaking, when pushing forward, your leg on the side of the elbow grip should step forward. This may sound obvious, but in doing this, you will project the opponent backward. With this leg, you should then step back as they respond by coming toward you. This will create space and allow you to level change. Although level changing is mostly a wrestling idea, it is used with the kuchiki taoshi as it is similar to the ankle pick after all. A lot of newer Judoka will focus on the upper body push and pull mechanics, but your leg and footwork are equally as important during the kuchiki taoshi.

Finishing the kuchiki taoshi

By drawing the opponent into you, you are effectively setting a trap. With their lead leg too far forward, you can then let go of your elbow grip and grab behind the back of the knee. Remember, if the opponent doesn’t react in the right way, then this throw cannot be used. Basically, you’re relying on them to over-commit to stepping forward. If their lead leg is too far back, then it isn’t worth bothering using the kuchiki taoshi. Like all moves in Judo, it is situational and can’t be forced.

Once you have the grip behind the knee, you then twist your body slightly which will in turn twist the body of the opponent. To do this, you should punch with your collar grip. This punch shouldn’t just be going forward, it should also be going to the side, in the direction of the leg that you’re grabbing. The idea of this is to force the opponent’s upper body beyond their heel. As mentioned earlier, this is an important concept as if their weight doesn’t lean back enough, they simply won’t fall backward. Similarly, if you pushed someone from behind, you would need their weight to go beyond their toes, otherwise they wouldn’t fall.

With your other hand, you should be doing a similar movement. This involves not only pulling the leg toward you but also twisting it to your collar grip. Basically, you aren’t just pulling and pushing, but you’re also directing their body like a steering wheel motion. This motion is commonly used in Judo and for good reason. By steering the opponent, it twists their body awkwardly and helps aid the throw. You may be able to throw an inexperienced opponent with sloppy technique, but against someone with good defense and base it may not be as easy.

Once the opponent has hit the floor, you can keep hold of the leg and punch your arm into the ground whilst holding the collar. This will hopefully pin the opponent’s back to the floor with you on top of them. In Judo, it is possible to get an Ippon from this. Similarly, in BJJ, you will score a takedown and be in a good position to start passing.

Finishing the kuchiki taoshi with a tripping variation

As ever in Judo, there is more than one way to use certain moves. In the case of the kuchiki taoshi, sometimes your opponent will defend the original attack so you will need to improvise. For instance, if you are holding the leg and pushing back yet they still won’t fall, then you will need to change your attack.

To do this, you can then use your leg on the side of the collar grip. This can be used to trip the standing leg of the opponent, either by a foot sweep or an inside trip. Regardless of your choice, the idea of the move is to remove the free leg from the floor. With this done, you will have removed both feet from the floor and should be able to finish the throw. Using this variation is especially useful against strong, tricky opponents.

However, using this method in BJJ is not as advisable. A typical counter to this variation would be to jump guard. The issue with this is that you wouldn’t score takedown points. Similarly, jumping guard can be seen as dangerous due to the chance of injury. This is because you’re effectively carrying the weight of the opponent’s entire body by your legs. Whilst guard jumping is legal, it still has a reputation. The main issue with getting jumped on with the kuchiki taoshi is that typically you will be at an angle to hit the throw. Due to being at an angle, you will even more exposed as the opponent’s weight is targeted towards only one side of your body. This is less than wise as you ideally want the opponent to jump on all of your lower body to spread weight distribution.

Thoughts on the kuchiki taoshi

Other than the prospect of guard jumping, the kuchiki taoshi is a safe throw to attempt. Both in terms of injury and also in terms of strategy, it has very few problems. Typically, most people may attempt to defend the kuchiki taoshi without countering it. Because of this, it is an ideal throw to learn. Further, if you do train wrestling, even without the gi – the kuchiki taoshi also has a good cross over. This is because mechanically, it is similar to the ankle pick. Although the entry is different without the gi and you hold the ankle instead of behind the knee, it is physically very similar. As a result, learning the kuchiki taoshi will also improve your wrestling abilities.

In conclusion, the kuchiki taoshi is a solid throw to learn with no downsides. Unlike other Judo moves, it isn’t overly elaborate, nor is it particularly a high-energy move. Lastly, the kuchiki taoshi works in part due to its simplicity. It can work by tempting overly-aggressive opponents into lunging toward you and alternatively it can also be used against passive opponents who react in the correct way. Due to this, it can also be considered as a throw for all occasions.