Uchi Mata Counter

SubFamily

内股(Uchi Mata)

Traditional

Translation: inner thigh throw

Overview

The Uchi Mata Counter subfamily covers techniques specifically designed to defeat an incoming uchi-mata attack, using the opponent's turning and lifting momentum against them. ^[1] Because uchi-mata requires the thrower to turn their back and commit to a one-legged stance, it creates specific vulnerabilities that can be exploited by an alert defender. ^[1],[2] Common counter methods include blocking the sweeping leg and redirecting the rotation, stepping over the attacking leg, or simply resisting and rolling the attacker over from their compromised position. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Uchi Mata SukashiJP^[1]Uchi Mata GaeshiJP^[2]Inner Thigh Counter^[3]

Used in

Judo BJJ Sambo

History & Origin

Uchi-mata counters developed alongside the technique itself, as judo practitioners sought answers to one of the sport's most dominant throws. ^[1] The study of kaeshi-waza (counter techniques) against uchi-mata became an essential part of competitive judo preparation, particularly from the 1970s onward as uchi-mata became the most commonly attempted throw in high-level competition. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

Uchi mata counters exploit the committed rotation of uchi mata to reverse the throw, scoring against the attacker's own momentum. ^[1] They are among the most spectacular techniques in judo competition. ^[1],[2]

Lineage

Uchi mata counters developed as the throw became more prevalent in competition, with judoka developing specific counter-throwing responses. ^[1]

Competition Record

Uchi mata counters produce some of the most dramatic ippon scores in IJF competition. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Sweeping, reaping, or blocking the opponent's foot or leg to remove their base of support

Joints Involved — Attacker's sweeping leg (ankle or shin contact), opponent's supporting ankle or knee (swept)

Force Vector — Two opposing forces — the upper body is directed one way while the sweeping leg removes the support in the opposite direction

Timing Principle — Maximum effectiveness when the opponent's weight is committed to the targeted foot — timing supersedes strength

Position & Entry

From judo grip — Use push-pull timing (kuzushi) to catch the opponent as they step, sweep the support foot in the direction of their movement

From clinch (collar tie) — Push or pull to make the opponent step, sweep the stepping foot at the exact moment it lifts off the mat

Videos

Escolas FEU BJJ “Contato FEU BJJ” Academia

UCHI MATA COUNTER | TE GURUMA - 手車

Uchi Mata Counter·Escolas FEU BJJ “Contato FEU BJJ” Academia

Hi guys, I hope you are going well so far, today I will be teaching a very powerful UCHI MATA counter known as TE GURUMA…

welcomematstevescott

UCHI MATA COUNTER TO KO SOTO GAKE

Uchi Mata Counter·welcomematstevescott

This video shows an Uchi Mata counter against an opponent's Ko Soto Gake or outside leg hook attack. The Welcome Mat ath…

2 videos

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

High5/10

Inner thigh reaping action; knee ligament strain risk on defender

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

— IJF — Legal throwing technique

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— UWW — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman

UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF

— Unified MMA — Legal throwing technique

Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF

— ADCC — Legal

ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF

— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal

FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF

— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal

FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓Countering uchi mata requires reading the entry and exploiting the attacker's commitment to the turn

✓The most common counter is uchi mata sukashi (uchi mata void) — stepping over the sweeping leg and pulling the attacker to the mat

✓As the opponent turns for uchi mata, step the target leg out of the sweep's path while pulling them forward and down

✓Another counter is uchi mata gaeshi — blocking the sweeping leg and reversing the throw with a rear sacrifice

✓Counter uchi mata requires patience: wait for the committed entry before executing the counter

✓In competition, countering uchi mata is often more effective than throwing with it because the attacker is fully committed

✓Train uchi mata defence as a specific skill — have a partner attack repeatedly while you practise the counter timing

Common Mistakes

!Countering too early before the opponent commits to the throw — the counter works against their momentum, so they must be in motion

!Trying to resist by pulling backward instead of stepping and redirecting — this makes you easier to throw

!Not stepping the target leg out of the sweep's path — the counter requires you to remove the leg the sweep is targeting

!Panicking during the entry and losing grip — maintain your grips to control the counter

!Leaning forward into the counter, which plays into the uchi mata's forward-throwing direction

!Not drilling counters specifically — they require dedicated practice, not just reactive defence

!Countering with excessive force and injuring the training partner — control the technique

Related Techniques

Foot Sweep — complementary off-balancing technique using similar directional forces Breakfall (Ukemi) — essential receiving skill for safe practice of this throw

Counter Techniques

Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping action Counter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them instead Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration Stiff-Arm — maintain distance with straight arms to prevent the entry

Setup Chain

1Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) — establish the controlling grips needed for the throw

2Off-Balance (Kuzushi) — break the opponent's balance in the throwing direction

3Entry (Tsukuri) — position the body for the throw by turning, stepping, or loading

4Execution (Kake) — complete the throwing action with full commitment and follow-through

Sources & References

Primary Source

Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification

1BookKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification

Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)

2SyllabusKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification

Official Kodokan ground technique classification system

3SyllabusKodokan Judo Institute — Official Waza Names

Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)

4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)

Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)

5CitationKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification

Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)

Community

Athletics

Requires

precise timing, ankle coordination, upper body kuzushi ability

Favours

excellent balance and quick reflexes

Key muscles

tibialis anterior, calves, hip rotators, forearms (grip)

Sub-techniques

Standard Uchi Mata Counter

Genus

Standard Uchi Mata Counter is the fundamental counter to uchi-mata in which the defender blocks or absorbs the sweeping leg, maintains balance, and uses the attacker's compromised one-legged position and turned back to throw or roll them over. [1] The most common execution involves the defender widening the base, blocking the sweeping leg with the inner thigh, and then wheeling the off-balance attacker forward and over using their own momentum. [1,2] This counter exemplifies the judo principle of turning the opponent's strength against them — the more committed the uchi-mata attack, the more devastating the counter can be. [2,3]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I counter a ko soto gake (outside leg hook)?

Use uchi mata as a counter. As soon as you feel your opponent hook your leg, immediately step back and throw with uchi mata rather than waiting for them to complete the takedown. Steve Scott emphasizes that timing is critical—counter as soon as you feel the hook.

Do I need a lot of hip movement for an uchi mata counter to ko soto gake?

No, this is primarily a leg-style uchi mata counter that doesn't require much hip movement. Steve Scott notes you can execute it effectively with minimal hip engagement, making it a compact and efficient response.

What leverages are used in the te guruma uchi mata counter?

The Escolas FEU BJJ instructor uses three different leverages in this counter—two going up and one going down. The counter can be executed so the opponent spins on an axle, and positioning the belly correctly can provide immediate blocking action.

How does the Uchi Mata Counter work?

Where does the Uchi Mata Counter come from?

Uchi-mata counters developed alongside the technique itself, as judo practitioners sought answers to one of the sport's most dominant throws. The study of kaeshi-waza (counter techniques) against uchi-mata became an essential part of competitive judo preparation, particularly from the 1970s onward as uchi-mata became the most commonly attempted throw in high-level competition.

Is the Uchi Mata Counter legal in competition?

IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; UWW: legal — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal

How dangerous is the Uchi Mata Counter?

Danger rating 5/10. High — inner thigh reaping action; knee ligament strain risk on defender

How do I set up the Uchi Mata Counter?

The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).

How do I defend against the Uchi Mata Counter?

Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping action / Counter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them instead / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration.

What are the variants of the Uchi Mata Counter?

Common variants: Forward sweep (sweeping the foot in the direction the opponent is stepping); Rear sweep (sweeping the foot backward as the opponent retreats); Combination sweep (chaining sweeps to both feet); Counter sweep (timing the sweep as the opponent initiates their own attack).

How effective is the Uchi Mata Counter in competition?

Uchi mata counters produce some of the most dramatic ippon scores in IJF competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Uchi Mata Counter?

Top errors to watch for: Countering too early before the opponent commits to the throw — the counter works against their momentum, so they mus… / Trying to resist by pulling backward instead of stepping and redirecting — this makes you easier to throw / Not stepping the target leg out of the sweep's path — the counter requires you to remove the leg the sweep is targeting / Panicking during the entry and losing grip — maintain your grips to control the counter.

What are other names for the Uchi Mata Counter?

The Uchi Mata Counter is also known as Uchi Mata, Uchi Mata Sukashi, Uchi Mata Gaeshi, Inner Thigh Counter.

uchi mata counter uchi mata throw foot leg technique throw ashi waza inner thigh throw judo bjj sambo uchi mata sukashi uchi mata gaeshi inner thigh counter