Hand Technique Throw — Te Waza

The Arm Throw family encompasses te-waza techniques in which the thrower uses the arms to scoop, lift, or pull the opponent into a throw without turning the back or using hip contact as the primary fulcrum. [1] Arm throws are characterised by the direct application of hand and arm force to destabilise and project the opponent, often through scooping under the body, pulling on a corner, or creating a void into which the opponent falls. [1,2] The three classical arm throws — sukui-nage (scoop throw), sumi-otoshi (corner drop), and uki-otoshi (floating drop) — represent different applications of arm-driven throwing mechanics. [2,3]

The Body Drop family centres on tai-otoshi, a fundamental te-waza technique in which the thrower turns in and extends the leg across the opponent's path as a trip while pulling the opponent forward and over the outstretched leg. [1] Body drop techniques are classified as hand techniques despite the use of the extended leg because the leg does not actively sweep or reap — it serves as a passive block or trip while the throwing force comes from the pulling and rotating action of the hands. [1,2] Tai-otoshi is one of judo's most versatile and frequently scored throws, effective at all weight categories and adaptable to many grip configurations. [2,3]

The Sacrifice Arm Throw family covers te-waza techniques in which the thrower sacrifices their own standing position, falling or dropping to the mat while using the arms to drive the opponent into a throw. [1] These techniques combine the arm-driven mechanics of te-waza with the body-sacrifice principle of sutemi-waza, creating throws where the thrower's falling body weight amplifies the arm action. [1,2] Yama-arashi (mountain storm) is the primary technique in this family, a devastating throw that uses a powerful lapel grip and body drop to project the opponent. [2,3]

The Shoulder Throw family encompasses the seoi-nage (back-carrying throw) techniques and kata-guruma (shoulder wheel), which are among the most popular and effective throws in judo and grappling. [1] Shoulder throws are characterised by the thrower turning their back to the opponent and loading them onto the shoulders or upper back, then throwing them forward by pulling with the arms and bending or dropping the body. [1,2] The seoi-nage variants — ippon seoi-nage, morote seoi-nage, eri seoi-nage, and seoi-otoshi — differ in grip configuration and body mechanics but share the fundamental principle of loading the opponent onto the back and projecting them forward. [2,3] Kata-guruma, the shoulder wheel or fireman's carry, uses a different loading mechanism, placing the opponent across the shoulders, but shares the family's defining characteristic of using the shoulder as the primary fulcrum. [3,4]

The Wheel Throw (Guruma, 車) family covers judo hand technique throws that use a wheeling motion to rotate the opponent around the thrower's body — named for the wheel-like circular arc the opponent travels during the throw. [1] The most famous guruma technique is kata guruma (shoulder wheel, also known as the fireman's carry) where the thrower loads the opponent across the shoulders and wheels them over, plus other variations like ushiro guruma (rear wheel). [1,2] Kata guruma was historically one of judo's most popular and spectacular throws, but its usage in judo competition has changed dramatically since the IJF banned grabbing below the waist in standing (2013), forcing judoka to modify the technique for the modern ruleset. [2,3]