Throw (grappling)


In martial arts, a throw is a grappling technique that involves off-balancing or lifting an opponent, and throwing them to the ground. Throws are a subset of takedown. In Japanese martial arts throws are referred to as nage waza, 投げ技, "throwing technique".

Types of throws

There are several major types of throws. Most throws are named by describing the circumvention point of the throw, or the nature of effect of the throw on the opponent with variations being given descriptive names. The names used here are attributed to Jujutsu throws are descriptions in Japanese. It is conventional for the Japanese to name their throws in this manner, and many western martial art dojos have given English names to the throws feeling that it is easier for English speaking students to remember the names of throws if they can associate the throws by the descriptive nature of the throw name.
Judo has the most developed throwing techniques and throws are considered its specialty. In Judo, throws are divided into six categories—hand techniques, leg techniques, hip techniques, shoulder techniques, as well as sacrifice throws to the rear and side.

Shoulder and back throws

A shoulder throw involves throwing an opponent over the shoulder. A shoulder throw which lifts the opponent from the ground is in Japanese referred to as seoi-nage, while a throw which involves upsetting the opponent’s balance and pulling the opponent over the shoulder is referred to as seoi-otoshi. Seoi-nage is one of the most used throws in judo competition. One study indicated that approximately 56% of judokas implemented the technique.
A common shoulder throw is judo's ippon seoinage or the similar flying mare in wrestling.

Leg throws, reaps, and trips

In a leg reap, the attacker uses one of their legs to reap one or both of their opponent's legs off the ground. Generally the opponent's weight is placed on the leg that is reaped away. This coupled with the attacker controlling the opponent's body with their hands causes the opponent to fall over. Common leg reaps are judo's o uchi gari, ko uchi gari, o soto gari, and ko soto gari. There are similar techniques in wrestling, including the inside and outside trips.
Somewhat similar to leg reaps involve a hooking or lifting action with the attacking leg instead of a reaping action. The border between the two types of throw can be unclear, and many throws will exhibit characteristics of both reaps and trips, however, the difference is that a reap is one smooth move, like that of a scythe, whereas a hook is pulling the opponents leg up first, and then swinging it away. Common leg trips are hooking variations of Ouchi Gari and Osoto Gari along with Kosoto Gake, referred to as inside and outside trips in Western wrestling.

Sacrifice throws

Sacrifice throws require the thrower to move into a potentially disadvantageous position in order to be executed, usually involving the thrower falling to the ground themselves. The momentum of the falling body adds power to the throw and requires less physical strength than some other throws. In Judo these throws are called by the Japanese term sutemi waza and are further divided into rear and side sacrifice throws. In Judo, these throws are limited to a specific grade and higher due to the element of danger that is placed upon both the uke and the tori.

Hip throws

A hip throw involves using the thrower's hip as a pivot point, by placing the hip in a lower position than an opponent's center of gravity. There are several types of hip throws such as O Goshi, which is often taught first to novices. Hip throws in Judo are called Koshi Waza, and in Aikido or Sumo they are called koshinage.

Pick-ups

Pickups involve lifting the opponent off the ground and then bringing them down again. Common pick-ups are lifting variations of the double leg takedown, Judo's Te Guruma or sukui nage and the suplex from wrestling, in which the attacker lifts their opponents body vertically and throws the opponent over their own center of gravity while executing a back fall. Variations of the suplex are common in most forms of wrestling and sometimes used in mixed martial arts competition. In Judo, the ura-nage throw is a version of the suplex, but it is classified as a sacrifice throw.

List of throws

Some of the more common throwing techniques are listed below. This is not an exhaustive list and the techniques may be referred to by other names in different styles. An English translation and a common Japanese equivalent are given.
  • Major hip throw
  • Floating hip
  • Rear hip throw
  • Stamp throw
  • Major wheel
  • Transitional hip throw
  • Hip wheel
  • Sweeping hip throw
  • Inner Thigh throw
  • Sweeping knee throw
  • Sweeping ankle throw
  • Leg wheel
  • Major outer wheel
  • Inside hook throw
  • Outer hook throw
  • Cross hook
  • Knee wheel
  • Advancing foot sweep
  • Lapel Back throw
  • Single-Handed Shoulder throw
  • Double-Handed Shoulder throw
  • Major inner reaping, inside trip
  • Minor inner reaping
  • Major outer reaping, outside trip
  • Minor outer reap
  • Minor outer hook
  • Propping ankle throw
  • Floating hip throw
  • Body drop
  • Lifting hip throw
  • Sleeve lifting-pulling hip throw
  • Floating drop
  • Outside wrap
  • Inside wrap
  • Springing hip throw
  • Double spring hip throw.
  • Shoulder wheel, fireman's carry
  • Valley drop
  • Stomach throw
  • Side circle
  • Corner throw
  • Head hip and knee throw
  • Reverse head hip and knee throw
  • Rear head hip and knee throw
  • Front scoop throw
  • Rear scoop throw
  • Neck throw
  • Flying scissors takedown
  • Flying figure ten
  • Wrist-based throws, especially Kotegaeshi
  • Figure ten throw
  • Breath throw
  • Rotary throw
  • Heaven-and-earth throw
  • Four corner throw
  • Entering throw