Category: Judo

The inside leg trip is a technique favored by many fighters of all shapes, sizes and stances, largely due to its huge effectiveness in taking down an opponent. Learning to counter this should be a key weapon in the arsenal of any fighter – knowing how to avoid this deadly attack can offer a real advantage, and help you to gain the upper hand in any fight.

The top 5 techniques we will use to counter the inside leg trip are:

1. Ouchi Gaeshi
2. Kosoto Gari
3. Ura Nage
4. Uchi Mata Sukashi
5. Keep A Low Stance

We will now review these top 5 techniques to counter the inside leg, allowing you to be ready and prepared for any fight.

1. Ouchi Gaeshi

The ouchi gaeshi is a movee which originated from the sport of judo, and which has found its way into the world of MMA, becoming something of a niche option for those with the ability. It is a counter throw, designed to combat an ouchi gari, and can be a great way to throw your opponent off balance both physically and psychologically, allowing you to gain the upper hand before they have any idea what is coming.

This move is best applied as your opponent comes in for the inside leg trip; one of the key aspects is to be able to retain your balance here, allowing you to react instantly, and use the other fighters momentum against them. As the opponent approaches, pull your left hand in as you turn the torso, using the momentum to unbalance your opponent. At the same time, you can use your other foot to sweep away the heel of the other fighter, ensuring that they land in the place they intended to throw you. The main goal is to control the weight of the other person, redirecting the intended attack, and ensuring that any momentum misses you and is transferred to them, increasing the strength of the move. This can be a tricky move, and so it is important to practice and ensure that you are totally confident before trying it out in the ring.

2. Kosoto Gari

Kosoto gari is another option for countering an inside leg trip and again, this is a move which gains its origins from judo. This is a technique which is a really all about timing, and which can counter an attempt to trip you with minimal effort on your part. You can strike as the opponent steps forward and is about to plant their foot to trip you, or, alternatively, as they begin a withdrawal with the forward foot, as though in retreat – the motion helps increase the vulnerability of the other individual, allowing their balance to be more easily manipulated.

In short, the kosoto gari works by removing the food the opponent is depending on to regain balance after stepping. As they move, you can sweep the foot away, aiming towards the direction of the toes, causing the foot to slip forward, removing balance, and taking the opponent down. Weight is important here; you will need to ensure that all of your weight goes into the move, helping to speed up the fall, and reducing the chance of escape. You will also need to be quick and agile, as well as remaining close to your opponent – this increases your chances of pulling off the move before your enemy works out what is happening, allowing you to get them on the mat before a defense can be prepared.

3. Ura Nage

Ura nage is often referred to as a ‘sacrifice throw’ – it requires you to throw yourself into the air along with your opponent in order to successfully complete the move. In the simplest terms, this is a back throw which consists of getting your opponent from behind in a ‘hug’ before throwing him backwards behind your body and onto the mat. It can be used as an opponent comes in to try and hook one of your legs, aiming to go for the inside trip. Grab the back of the body in a ‘hug’ movement, bending your knees to prevent the legs from being hooked.

Strength is the key here – you will need to shift your centre of gravity backwards, allowing you to pull the other fighter up towards your stomach, then use the knees to twist and throw the opponent behind you. Alternatively, the move can be carried out from the front – this requires you to bend your knees, getting your body low, and then driving yourself forward and into the chest of the opponent, allowing you to gain the ‘hugging’ position. It should be noted that this move requires a great deal of strength to execute correctly, as well as a solid understanding of technique, to avoid risk of damage to your back and knees. If this is something you plan to try, practice with an experienced fighter before heading out into the ring.

4. Uchi Mata Sukashi

Uchi mata sukashi is another secret weapon which can be brought out if the moment presents itself. The concept is fairly simple; you simply wait for your opponent to approach, sidestep at the right moment, and then use their momentum to throw them, allowing you to gain the advantage.

As your opponent’s attack leg comes up, their upper body will naturally go down. Your job is to dodge this attack leg – usually by pivoting out of the way by turning your body, or by lifting your own leg out of reach – throwing the opponent off balance as they continue to move forward. Allow their weight to move to the supporting leg before grabbing the arm or wrist of your opponent and pulling it forward, down and then back. The momentum of their missed trip attempt will result in them continuing to move forward into empty space, resulting in them throwing themselves into an almost totally clean circle – all with minimal effort on your part! This is a move which relies on speed, agility and the ability to spot an opportunity, and can be a great addition to your toolkit.

5. Keep A Low Stance

It may seem deceptively simple, but a powerful low stance can be one of the greatest tools to combat an inside leg swing – if carried out correctly. This gives you a solid basis and grounding, and forms the foundation of many of the moves you carry out from a standing position – getting a handle on them lower down only improves your skills.

The feet are the first consideration here, and the most popular options for fighters tends to be a square stance – feet on the same horizontal plane – or split stance – one leg in one of the other. There is a time and a place for both, and you will soon get used to picking the optimum option. Next, reduce height by bending at the knees and waist – this also helps to increase the power you have available, as well as make it harder for opponents to grab a leg, or get in for a trip. Consider the position of your arms and hands – elbows should be tight, hands out in front ready to defend, and your head should be up. It may feel unnatural at first, but you will soon start to feel more comfortable in a low stance, and this can be an amazing defense trick when you are faced with an opponent who likes to trip.

Things To Remember

Combating an inside leg trip can be a challenge – these tend to be fast, effective and lethal. With just a few adjustments to your training, however, you can really help yourself to gain the advantage and combat the move, placing the fight back in your favour.

• Timing

For many of the moves we have explored here, timing is everything; you need to be able to pinpoint the exact moment of movement with total accuracy, allowing your strike to be effective. Make sure you learn to read your opponent as quickly as possible; this is a good habit to get into in any fight – and try to determine their ‘tell’ before they launch into a trip or low move – this gives you time to mount your defense.

• Strength

As with any throws, good strength is crucial for allowing you to maintain a grip, and have the power to launch your opponent. Remember, this is not only upper body strength; a huge amount of power comes from the legs, so focus closely on quads, glutes, abductors and hamstrings to ensure you have the power you need for an explosive throw.

• Up close and personal

Unlike many jabs and punches, throws require you to be right up in the space of your opponent, so it is important to get comfortable with this. Also consider the nature of your enemy; it is far easier to fight close and use throws if you are shorter, but not so much if you are a taller fighter tackling someone compact and agile. Get comfortable fighting at close range, and throws could become your new best friend.

Although BJJ is based on Judo and has its roots deep in that system, not all BJJ submissions are allowed in Judo. Of course, it helps if you have a Judo training to grasp the basics but if you’re moving from BJJ to Judo you might be surprised at how some BJJ submissions will get you disqualified in a Judo tournament. This is especially true if you go for leglocks, wrist locks, or the spine.

That said some of the BJJ submissions that are allowed in Judo include Ezequiel, cross chokes, rear naked chokes, leg or arm triangle, bow and arrow among many others. As long as you don’t use your fingers on the opponent’s throat or use your Gi skirt to choke them and force a submission, you’re on the right side of the Judo rules.

In this article, we’ll focus on some of the most common BJJ submissions that are acceptable in Judo, how to use your BJJ experience to master them, and what to watch out for in order to not get disqualified in a Judo competition.

Ezequiel

In Ezequiel choke, you’re relying on the opponent’s wrist and Gi sleeve to force a submission. So how do you go about achieving that in Judo while also using your BJJ experience? You have to do it fast and wait for the right moment. Your motion needs to be fluid and precise. You’re going to combine the sleeve and wrist in a scissoring movement that blocks the adversary’s trachea.

This choke became popular in BJJ in the early days and many players embraced it and tried to come up with their own variations to perfect it. So what’s the reason for its popularity? It’s one of the easiest and safest chokes to perform from inside the player’s guard. It’s named after the famous Brazilian Olympian Ezequiel Paraguassú. 

That doesn’t mean that Ezequiel Paraguassú was the one who created this choke. Its origins go back to the early beginnings of Judo. In Japanese it’s known as Sode Guruma Jime. But in BJJ it really flourished and many variations including the arm in Ezekiel developed out of it and were later adopted by famous grapplers.

Some of the top players who have an affinity for Ezekiel are Andre Galvao, Marcio Feitosa, Roger Gracie, Vitor Shaolin, Rafael Lovato Jr., and Rodolfo Vieira among others.

The Clock Choke

Put simply, the clock choke is all about grappling. You know you’re a master grappler when you can execute this choke with dexterity and ease. If you can come up with your own variation, which is a must for all serious BJJ top level players, that’s even better. So what is the clock choke all about?

For starters, you’re going to focus all your body weight and your attention on the opponent’s neck. This is one vulnerable part of their body that you can do a lot of work on and get a submission if you do it right. For preparation, you start with the turtle position and work your way toward the rival’s neck, slowly, but steadily.

With one arm choking the opponent, mostly it’s the right arm, you have a free left arm which you use to make your way under their armpit as you reach for their wrist. Now you have almost full control over their movement. Another option you have if you can’t secure the wrist is to go the inside of their thigh.

Now you’re ready to take your choke to its ultimate conclusion. Walk around your opponent with your forehead to the floor to achieve the strangle. And if you’re wondering where the name clock choke comes from, it’s from the shape your legs make as they walk around the head of the defender.

Americana

The Americana lock is all about the arm. Just like the clock choke is focused on the neck, this one has the opponent’s arm as its target. There are many names for this lock including top wristlock, bent armlock, figure four armlock, keylock, and in Judo it’s called ude garami.

But whatever name you like to call it, the fact that by controlling the wrists, the rival is left defenseless in the elbow and joints areas, make it one of the most advanced locks to get a submission. It is often combined with the side control position for maximum effect. That doesn’t mean you can’t get it from other positions. You certainly can.

Many notable BJJ champions prefer to use Americana. For them, it’s the go-to choke when the opportunity arises. It’s effective and efficient. Gabrielle Garcia, Fabricio Werdum, Lana Stefanac, Jeff Monson, and Rodrigo Nogueira “Minotauro” are just a few names of great champs who have mastered this technique and added to it with their own style and flair.

While the history of the Americana lock is shrouded in mystery, there’s no denying that it’s a popular technique and once you’ve got your head around the basics of the discipline, this should be one of the first techniques to learn and master.

Sumi Gaeshi

Sumi Gaeshi works well both in BJJ and Judo. Whether you’re moving from Judo to BJJ or vice versa, this is one technique you can use freely in either sport and achieve great results. It works well in BJJ as a response to the single leg takedown. As many players know, you can use the single leg takedown with great effect to take the opponent off their feet.

But the Sumi Gaeshi is the right response to this. So how do you use it to counter that popular BJJ takedown? For one thing, you need to maintain your balance. Even if one leg is off the mat, you can still lean on the opponent and force his hands off your arms or legs. This foils his attempt to take you down and give you valuable seconds to start your counter move.

Now reach for the opponent’s belt with your palm. This initiates your maneuver as you grab your opponent and slide under them using your leg as a hook. Done right, you’d be able to throw the rival on their back. You can apply many techniques to achieve this outcome. The Kimura grip is one great candidate and helps you get a submission.

The Triangle Choke

In BJJ, the front triangle choke is a popular technique that players learn about during their first few classes. And like many other techniques in the sport, its origins go back to the early beginnings of Judo. In fact, Judo has many variations of the triangle choke, that would surprise BJJ players taking their first steps in a Judo class.

The difference in implementation between the Judo versions and BJJ ones is in the position that you can apply each one. In Judo, for example, you can implement the triangle choke either from the turtle or side control positions. But in BJJ, triangle chokes are usually employed from the guard position. That said, the technique itself is almost identical in both disciplines and if you master it in one sport, you’ll be able to easily apply it in the other.

The idea is to force a submission by controlling the opponent’s body. You start with their arm. Squeeze it along with their head between your legs thus creating the triangle shape. From there on out it’s a matter of using your thighs to squeeze the arm and head while going after their free arm. You simply have a lot of control and you can take this wherever you want to go. But in most cases, a submission is your goal.

The point here is that you really have a lot of options and your next move is all about your mastery of the technique and your very unique style. Some people would argue that this technique or that is better in Judo than its counterpart in BJJ. That actually defeats the purpose of the sport. You’re not trying to limit yourself to one discipline or a very narrow interpretation of a certain technique. 

In order to become a well rounded player regardless of the sport you practice, it’s important to keep an open mind and explore the various positions and techniques that overlap both sports. There’s no doubt that both Judo and BJJ have a lot to contribute and enrich the life of the player. So you’re encouraged to dig deeper into both sports to find common grounds and unique variations to common positions that make you grasp the spirit of the move or technique.

In Judo, height matters. If your opponent towers over you, that advantage is not something to make little of. You’ll need to work harder to throw your tall and lanky opponent than if you were up against one who stares back at you at the same level or maybe someone who has to tilt their head back just so as to meet your gaze.

The top 5 throws in Judo for shorter players are

1. Morote -Gari
2. Uchi Mata
3. Te Waza
4. Tomoe Nage
5. Seoi Nage

Recent changes to the Judo rules have wiped away the advantage that short people used to have over a taller rival. Gone are the days when you could just grab them by the legs and force them to the ground. Now being short and stocky means you have to find other ways to take the opponent off their feet and change the course of the game. This article lists the top 5 throws you can use against a taller rival on the mat.

Morote-Gari 

When the rules of Judo that favored short players allowing them to topple down a lankier opponent with leg grabs were abolished in 2013, those players less fortunate in the height department had to look elsewhere for a technique or throw to even the field and cut those tall players down to size. The first throw that springs to mind, so to speak, is the Morote-Gari. 

It literally translates into double leg takedown. As a shorter player, your center of gravity is low which can work in your favor with this throw. So how do you use it to your advantage? First, you need to charge like a bull at your rival. Bend down below their center of balance and as you rise, you carry them then drop them on their back. Simple and effective.

Easier said than done, right? Not really. You need to pick your moment effectively. You both have to be facing each other. There needs to be enough space that separates you both that allows you to gather momentum in your charge. Your movement has to be swift and leaves the opponent no room to counter it. A slow approach alerts your rival to your intentions and they can brace themselves or simply ward off your attack.

A strong and firm arms and shoulders are key to executing this throw efficiently. Remember, at some point, you’ll be carrying the weight of the opponent then call on all your strength to throw them down. Not an easy feat if you don’t have muscular legs and healthy knees to support both your weights.

Uchi Mata

The Uchi Mata is a tricking maneuver. You’re not trying to take your opponent off their feet with the sheer weight of your body or strength as you would with the Morote-Gari. Here you’re tricking the rival into losing their balance because they can’t stop their momentum. Let’s explore that interesting technique.

The idea here is to stand still and wait for the rival to make the first move. Even after they’ve made their intentions clear and they’re coming at you like a frothing bull, you still hold firm and stand your ground. Now when they’re close enough you take action.

Jump on one leg with your foot facing your opponent. Now slide your free leg between the opponent’s legs and open your legs as wide apart as you can. The opponent is defenseless and has nowhere to go now. He’s completely under your mercy. Now pull them forward on your leg and roll them up to make a neat throw. As you can see it’s not the easiest of techniques and you’ll need to practice it a lot to get it just right.

A lot of things could go wrong so a variation on this technique that makes sure the rival is totally unaware when you start your execution is to employ it when the rival is already on the defensive. It works best when their body is already lunged forward and they need a few seconds to get their balance back. That’s your opportunity to launch your Uchi Mata and take the game to the ground.

Te-Waza

Rather than being a throw, the Te-Waza is a bunch of techniques all grouped under one name. In fact, there are about 15 of them and each one is just as good as the next. Rather than push the article beyond its limits, I’ll just list the most important techniques here with a concise description of what each technique implies.

• Uchi Mata Sukashi (Inner Thigh Throw Slip): Similar to the Uchi Mata throw above but you would use this one to fend off your opponent when they’re engaged in an Uchi Mata offensive. The goal is to step out of the way and when the opponent misses you throw them forward.
• Sumi Otoshi (Corner Drop): As a hand technique, this is one of the original throws that were created by Jigoro Kano. It involves grabbing the opponent by the lapels, slipping a leg behind their legs and pushing them forward. A real classic.
• Seoi Otoshi (Shoulder Drop): Another classic that involves grabbing the opponent’s arm with your back to them and pulling them forward as you bend over to take them off their feet and land them on their back. 
• Sukui Nage (Scoop Throw): A hand technique that takes down the opponent using a double leg motion that leaves them flustering on the ground.
• Kata Gurama (Shoulder Wheel): A rather complex technique that sweeps the opponent off their feet, slides them off your shoulders, and throws them off. Requires strength and stamina.
• Kuchiki Taoshi (Dead Tree Drop): A single leg takedown where you wrap your leg around that of the opponent and ensconce your forearm in their neck area with a powerful shove to push them to the ground.
• Kibisu Gaeshi (Heel Reverse): The idea behind this technique is to hold their lapel, push them forcefully as you reach for their leg. It has to be done smoothly and in one swift and fluid movement.
• Obi Otoshi (Belt Drop): As the name implies, you’re using the gi belt to take the opponent off balance. It’s less straightforward than other throwing techniques and needs to be done at the right moment for maximum effect.
• Uki Otoshi (Floating Drop): Grab the opponent by the top of their gi, as they move toward you, drop down to one knee and slide your leg toward their foot on the ground to take them down.
• Tai Otoshi (Body Drop): Here you’re spreading your legs wide and with your back to your opponent, grab them by the lapels using your thigh to take them off balance.

As you can see, you’re using your hands in every technique to initiate or finish off the technique. Some of these techniques are as old as Judo itself. And if they have one thing in common, it’s how irrelevant the opponent’s advantage in height becomes when they’re no longer on their feet.

Tomoe-Nage

When your bulky opponent is flaunting their size in front of you and literally blocks off the light, it’s time to use the Tomoe-Nage to bring them down to your level of thinking. It involves planting your leg firmly behind the opponent’s and as you hold a firm grip on their gi, you drop your own weight on your heel.

Now fall to your back grabbing the opponent’s body toward you. Put your foot in their stomach pulling them over you. As they fly haplessly over your head, keep your firm grip as you guide them to the other side of your body. 

Seoi-Nage

Speed is the name of the game in Seoi-Nage. This is what sets it apart from other throwing techniques that require you use plenty of power against a taller and heftier opponent. So how do you go about executing the Seoi-Nage drop?

You start with the sleeves of your rival’s gi. Get a firm hold of their gi and keep a tight grip. You’re both standing legs apart facing each other. Swivel on your feet to get your hips below your opponent. You need to do this right, else you would end up on the ground, not your opponent.

Point your knee to the ground as you pull the rival by their sleeves. When you feel the moment is right, act fast. Bend forward as quickly as you can with a forceful tug at the opponent’s sleeves dragging them over your hips. This forces the rival off their feet and sails them across your side and down to the ground.

For maximum effect, don’t let go of the opponent. When they land on the floor drop on them with your back on their chest. You’re now in control and have a great advantage.

If you are a taller judoku, your height and reach can be an advantage but it can also be a detriment if you don’t know how to use it properly. Certain techniques and throws will be more difficult for the taller judoku whereas others can potentially help you use your height to an advantage. 

The Top 5 Judo Throws For Tall Guys Are: 

1. Osoto Gari
2. Ouchi Gari
3. Uchi Mata
4. Kouchi Gari
5. Harai Goshi

As with everything in judo, you want to throw your opponent off balance and this often requires a tailored approach for someone particularly tall. Long limbs and a long reach can help put your opponent off balance and give you an advantage, if you know what you’re doing. In this article, we break down the top 5 throws for tall guys.

Osoto Gari

The Osoto Gari (large outer reap) is a perfect throw for someone with a significant reach advantage. It is perhaps one of the most basic judo throws and often the first one new judokas are taught when they take up the sport. 

The long legs of a taller judoka is going to be the main advantage here. For this throw, you want to get your opponent’s weight back on their heels to take them off balance. This is achieved by stepping next to your opponent with your left-leg (from a right-handed perspective) and pulling uke into your body. Once your opponent has shifted their weight, bring your right leg around and sweep uke’s right leg at the ankle. If you are doing this correctly, your face should be turned into your arm as if you are looking at your watch while you bring your leg around to sweep.

The idea is that the leg you are sweeping should be the main port of balance for the uke as a result of their weight shifting when you pulled them into your body. You’ll want to ensure you are sweeping at the ankle as well so uke has nothing left to shift their weight onto.

There are some taller judokus who have difficulty with these throws, however. This may come from the coordination it sometimes requires to move your longer legs or possibly because it is easier for your opponent to see the technique coming. Many other judokus find long legs to be an advantage for these throws, however. If you are a taller judoku, this very basic leg sweep is one that you should always have in your toolbelt. It’s easy and advantageous for someone with a size and reach advantage. 

Ouchi Gari

An Ouchi Gari (or Great Inner Reap) is very similar to the above mentioned Osoto Gari but you are attacking the other leg. It is one of the more popular moves in judo but also one of the more basic. Much like the leg sweep mentioned above, it is one of the first throws new judokas are taught when they first start learning. 

Instead of stepping to the side of your opponent, you want to position your lead leg in between their legs. You again want to pull your opponent into your body to cause them to shift their weight onto the leg you plan on sweeping. Remember with everything judo, if your opponent isn’t off balance when you attempt a throw, something has gone very wrong. 

As you step in, pivot your body around so that your hip is pointed in to uke and your right foot (from a right-handed perspective) is inbetween uke’s feet. Your toes should be pointed to uke’s left foot. Then take your opponent over your leg at a 45 degree angle. 

The one problem associated with this throw for taller fighters is that it can sometimes be easy for uke to see you coming with it. Longer limbs are easier to see in motion and because the throw is so common, uke likely knows to expect it and has practiced countering it. Still, because this throw is so basic and easy to execute for newer judokas, it has to be considered one of the go-to throws for taller competitors. 

Uchi Mata

An Uchi Mata (or Inner-thigh reaping throw) is also an excellent throw for taller judokas with longer limbs. 

In order to make this throw work you must first destabilize your opponent diagonally to the front and take them off balance. From a right-handed perspective, step in so that the toes on your right foot are coming towards the toes of uke’s right foot. Then feed your right hip into uke’s right hip. This takes uke off-balance and also creates contact between you and uke that you’ll use for your throw. Use your hands to pull uke upwards to take them further off-balance. This should be easier to do for a taller fighter and will help you to pull off this throw. You will know you have your opponent off balance if you see them come up on their toes. Your grip is important for this one as well. While some judoku like to grab onto the back of the lapel on the Gi, for taller fighters it is far better to grab onto the front of the lapel on the Gi. You want to elevate uke up and that can be hard to do if you’re holding onto them from the back. 

Once uke is off balance and elevated up on their toes, bring your right leg in between uke’s legs, ride uke over on your hips and bring your left foot around to be lined up with your right to complete the throw. 

For examples of successful Uchi Matas in MMA, Ronda Rousey frequently used such throws. In particular, Rousey’s fight with Meisha Tate at UFC 135 provides some excellent examples of well-executed Uchi Matas. 

Kouchi Gari

Kouchi Gari (or small inner reap) is another leg sweep taller judokas will find advantageous given their size. For this throw, you want to take uke off-balance by pulling them forward, causing all of their weight to shift onto their front leg. As uke’s weight shifts forward you will then want to take a little step in so that you can bring your right leg in behind uke’s left leg (from a right-handed perspective). Then you will want to reap their heel in a scooping motion to take them down to the mat. 

Causing uke to fall off-balance for this throw should be easier for taller fighters but it does depend on how your body is proportioned and how it lines up with your opponent’s, however. 

As with all other judo throws, you really want to make sure of your timing for a Kouchi Gari. You will not be able to just muscle your opponent down with this throw but if you reap the leg at a time when it is the sole bearer of uke’s weight, your opponent is going to go to the mat no matter how skilled they are. You want to really be aware of when uke has shifted their weight so that you can attack at the most opportune time. 

Harai Goshi

Another solid hip throw for taller judokas is the Harai Goshi. This is essentially a hip-throw with a sweep. For this throw, you want to first bring your right foot around so that it is coming toward your opponent’s right foot. As you do this pull uke into your body and elevate them up. You then want to bring your left leg around so that it lines up with your right, basically turning your back into your opponent. As you do this, use your right leg to reap uke’s right leg and bring them over your body from your hip and onto the mat. When you finish the throw you should be at a 180 degree from where you started with your reaping leg in the air and pointing behind you. 

Attempting to execute this throw when uke is not off-balance can put you in a vulnerable position so it is important to time this throw correctly. Think of uke’s feet as a traffic light and them coming up on their toes as a green light and their feet remaining flat as a red light. Pull uke into your body and elevate them up and if you see them go up on their toes, the time is right to attack. If your opponent is not off-balance and you attempt this throw, you’ll likely have a very difficult time. 

Some may say that being tall in judo is a disadvantage as it is easier for your opponent to get underneath you for a throw. However, if you know the best judo throws for tall guys and when to use them, you can use your height as an advantage to gain the upper hand in a bout. 

So what are some of the best Judo throws for tall guys?

The best judo throws for tall guys are:

• Uchi mata –  long legs are put to good use
• Deashi Barai – can be applied from further out with a long reach
• O Soto Gari – an effective throw for tall guys

While these judo throws may be effective for tall guys, time still needs to be taken to learn and master them. Not only that, you need to know the best time to use them and how being a tall guy makes them work best or you. You should also consider the other ways you can use your height to your advantage. 

Uchi mata

Uchi mata may be one of the most commonly used judo throws at international level, but that does not mean it is an easy throw to pull off effectively. Firstly, before attempting Uchi mata you need to be in a dominant position. If you aren’t, then you will likely be countered and be on the receiving end of a throw yourself! 

Tall guys tend to have long legs and larger feet than shorter guys. This is why throws such as Uchi mata work so well for tall guys. Any foot/leg techniques (Ashi-Waza) can be used very effectively as long legs and large feet are perfect sweeping instruments. 

It makes sense for tall guys to make use of leg grabs and sweeps to take advantage of their longer reach. When performing Uchi mata, as a tall guy, you don’t need to come in as tight or get as low as you would with a shoulder throw like Seoi nage for example. By staying further away from your opponent, you are less likely to be grabbed and ultimately thrown. 

Uchi mata is a classic (and very popular) judo throw that suits tall guys perfectly. Take full advantage of your long legs and practice Uchi mata a lot! 

Deashi Barai 

Deashi Barai is all about catching your opponent distributing their weight unevenly. You are looking for a situation where they have little to no weight on their front foot so you can sweep it and throw them to the floor. This can be done when your opponent is moving in any direction but it tends to be most successful when they are moving sideways or backwards. When they are moving in these directions, they are less likely to be expecting a sweep as much as they are when they are moving forwards so it is easier to catch them unawares. 

Like with Uchi mata, Deashi Barai makes great use of tall guys’ long legs. With longer legs you have a greater reach meaning you can sweep your opponents leg from a farther distance.

This type of sweep and throw tends to be a lower risk option for tall guys; it can be applied from a good distance away from your opponent so there is less chance of them being able to counter or grab you if you are unsuccessful. 

Deashi Barai is a quick and effective attack when used at the right time. The key is in the timing of the sweep so timing drills are of great importance to make sure you know exactly when to strike! 

Osoto Gari

One of the key factors in performing Osoto Gari is making sure your positioning is such that when you move in for the sweep, your opponent is already unbalanced and vulnerable to an attack. This is usually done by, first grasping them with a good grip. One hand grips the lapel while the other grips the sleeve from below the elbow. From this position you can then get them off balance by pushing them in a diagonal line in the direction you want to throw or by shifting their body weight onto the leg you want to sweep (reap).  

Osoto Gari works well for taller players in a similar way to Uchi mata and Deashi Barai in that the longer reach of the arms and legs can create an advantageous position from further back meaning your opponent has less opportunity to grab you and perform their own attack. 

Osoto Gari is a great counter move particularly for an opponent’s own Osoto Gari. It is one of the most popular judo throws and it is also relatively simple to learn. Take your time to master Osoa Gari so you are able to use it to most effect when you need to in a bout. 

Benefits of Being Tall in Judo

Some of the most successful players in judo are small or of average height. This makes sense in a sport that is about throwing your opponent as the smaller (or shorter) you are, the lower your centre of gravity. Having a low centre of gravity makes you extra stable and therefore, less likely to be forced off balance and thrown. 

Being tall does have some advantages in judo though. Firstly, as mentioned already, having longer limbs means you can reach your opponent from a greater distance so you are less vulnerable to a counter attack or being pushed or pulled off balance. 

Being a tall guy in judo also means some throws are harder to perform on you. Any throw that requires you to be lifted off your feet will be much more challenging for a shorter opponent to pull off as they are unlikely to be able to generate enough lift to get your feet off the ground. This can help you tactically as you will be aware they will be more likely to try and move you sideways to get you off balance rather than attempting anything where a lift is required. 

More Judo Throws for Tall Guys

While not necessarily the best judo throws for tall guys, there are plenty of other throws that work well for taller players. If timed right and executed well, these judo throws can also be effective for tall guys in judo:

• Harai Goshi
• Tai Otoshi
• Ouchi Gari
• Ashi Guruma
• Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi
• Sumi Gaeshi
• Kouchi Gari
• Darai Goshi

Tips for Tall Guys in Judo

1. Adapt. You will likely find that you have to adapt grips and throws slightly to suit your height. For example, you may need to use the top grip instead of the lapel and sleeve as this may be an easier position to perform your throws. You might also need to adapt your strategies as if you use the top grip more, your opponent may notice and try to counter with O Goshi and Seoi Nage so you will need to be prepared for this. The more experienced you are in judo, the more understanding you will have of which throws work for you and which do not. Learn to adapt to make them work. 
2. High grips. You may find you grip your opponent higher than others simply because it is easier for you. Do not force yourself to use a lower grip as it may cause you to become vulnerable to an attack. 
3. Concentrate on your posture and movements. Taller guys tend to be a little less coordinated than shorter guys so focus on creating and maintaining a strong posture and move with decisiveness. Do not allow yourself to move around unnecessarily as you may become tired quicker, make each move a step towards victory!
4. Be patient. This is important for all players but particularly tall guys in judo. It can be more challenging for tall guys for a while until they find what works best for them. This is normal so do not rush, be patient and the best throws for you will become apparent the more experienced you become. 
5. Study hard and practice a lot. To master judo throws and be successful, you will need to study outside of your regular classes. However, as a tall player you will likely need to do more specific studying of other successful tall judo players. By studying them and adapting your style to more closely match theirs you are more likely to be successful too. 

Best Judo Throws For Tall Guys 

Ultimately, the best judo throws for tall guys will be the ones the individual feels most comfortable performing and the ones they are able to do at exactly the right time. It may take years before you find your Tokui Waza (favoured technique) so do not expect to perfect your best throws in the early days of your judo journey.  

It is always wise to study your craft both in a personal and professional manner. Listen to your sensei, perform their training and drills with full effort and take all of their feedback on board. This is the best way to master your throws and be successful in judo.