Hidden Judo Skill: Push and Pull Power! | #nyc #judo #shintarohigashi
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Push Off·Shintaro Higashi
If you’re new to judo or BJJ, you’ve probably heard a thousand different “tips”: drill more, tap early, relax, don’t mus…
Push Off
SubFamilyプッシュオフ(Pusshu Ofu)
TransliterationTranslation: push off
Overview
The Push Off subfamily covers defensive techniques where the fighter uses an explosive backward step or push to create distance from an advancing opponent. [1] The push off is a reactive defence used when the opponent closes distance rapidly and the defender needs to create immediate separation. [1],[2] Unlike a retreating step which is measured and controlled, the push off uses explosive force to cover more distance quickly, often combined with a frame or stiff arm against the opponent's body. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The push-off creates distance by pushing against the opponent's body or guard to create space. [1]
Lineage
Push-off techniques are found in boxing, Muay Thai, and MMA. [1]
Competition Record
Used in boxing and MMA competition. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using foot positioning to control range and angles — maintaining optimal distance relative to the opponent
Joints Involved — Ankles (pivot and directional changes), knees (level maintenance), hips (balance and weight distribution)
Force Vector — Multi-directional — lateral steps, pivots, and retreats adjust distance and angle simultaneously
Distance Principle — Managing the distance between fighters is the most fundamental defensive skill — controlling range dictates which techniques are available
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Use foot positioning to maintain optimal distance — step back, angle off, or pivot to avoid attacks
As cut angle — Step off the centre line while the opponent attacks, creating an angle for the counter
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
1
Low1/10
Evasion techniques avoid contact entirely; lowest injury risk of all techniques
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDFKyokushin — Legal {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— WAKO — Legal
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The push-off uses the arms to shove the opponent away and create distance — a physical reset that re-establishes your preferred range
✓Push with both hands against the opponent's shoulders or chest — extend the arms to create space
✓The push-off is used when the opponent closes distance unexpectedly or after clinch breaks
✓In MMA, the push-off from bottom position (frames to push the opponent away) is essential for creating space to stand up
✓The push-off is not a strike — it's a defensive tool for range management that resets the distance
✓After the push-off, immediately re-establish your fighting stance and resume your offensive game plan
✓Drill the push-off from clinch positions: break the clinch, push off, return to striking range
Common Mistakes
!Pushing with fingers extended — push with the palm heels for a solid base and to avoid finger injuries
!Over-extending the push and leaving yourself off-balance — push enough to create space, then recover stance
!Pushing without follow-up — the push-off creates a window; use it to strike, move, or re-set
!Using the push-off as your only clinch escape — combine it with footwork and underhooks
!Pushing too high on the opponent's body (face/neck area) — push on the shoulders or chest
!Pushing too gently — the push must be explosive to create meaningful distance
!Not retracting the hands immediately after pushing — return to guard quickly
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Boxing (Edwin Haislet, 1940)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Boxing Mastery (Hatmaker, 2004) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Boxing: The Complete Guide to Training and Fitness (Hatmaker, 2004)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Boxing Mastery (Hatmaker, 2004) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Boxing: The Complete Guide to Training and Fitness (Hatmaker, 2004)
Community
Athletics
Requires
agility, quick directional changes, balance in motion
Favours
light feet, strong calves and ankles
Key muscles
calves, tibialis anterior, quadriceps, hip stabilisers
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the push off technique create opportunities for throws or sweeps?
When you release pressure and step to the side after establishing counter-weight, you can immediately open up scoring opportunities like seoi nage. Shintaro Higashi explains that the push-and-pull dynamic creates the positioning needed to execute techniques before your opponent can fully recover.
Why is resisting the initial push important in this technique?
By resisting and not allowing your opponent to snap your head down during the push off, you maintain your own posture and structure, which prevents them from gaining the dominance needed to complete the technique.
What happens to your opponent's weight during a push off?
When your opponent counter-forces their weight forward, it loads onto their front leg, creating a vulnerable position that you can exploit with footwork and timing to execute your own techniques.
How does the Push Off work?
The Push Off subfamily covers defensive techniques where the fighter uses an explosive backward step or push to create distance from an advancing opponent. The push off is a reactive defence used when the opponent closes distance rapidly and the defender needs to create immediate separation.
Where does the Push Off come from?
Push-off techniques have been used in boxing and martial arts throughout history as an instinctive defence against aggressive pressure. Modern MMA coaching formalised the push-off as a specific defensive tool for managing cage pressure and aggressive clinch entries.
Is the Push Off legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills; WKF: legal — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill; Kyokushin: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal; WAKO: legal — Legal; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal; IFMA: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Push Off?
Danger rating 1/10. Low — evasion techniques avoid contact entirely; lowest injury risk of all techniques
How do I set up the Push Off?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Push Off?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Push Off?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for …); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it …); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate count…).
How effective is the Push Off in competition?
Used in boxing and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Push Off?
Top errors to watch for: Pushing with fingers extended — push with the palm heels for a solid base and to avoid finger injuries / Over-extending the push and leaving yourself off-balance — push enough to create space, then recover stance / Pushing without follow-up — the push-off creates a window; use it to strike, move, or re-set / Using the push-off as your only clinch escape — combine it with footwork and underhooks.
What are other names for the Push Off?
The Push Off is also known as Pusshu Ofu, Shove Off, Push Away, Frame And Push.