Uki Otoshi

SubFamily

Translation: floating drop

Range & classification

Overview

Uki Otoshi (floating drop) is a te-waza technique in which the thrower drops to one knee while pulling the opponent forward and downward, using the sudden level change and pulling action to project the opponent over and past the thrower's lowered body. ^[1] The throw is generated entirely by the hand action combined with the thrower's body drop — as the thrower drops, the pulling hands create a forward-and-downward force that floats the opponent over. ^[1],[2] Uki-otoshi is the first technique in the Nage no Kata (Forms of Throwing), representing the fundamental principle of using hand control and body movement to create a throw without relying on hip or leg contact. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Floating Drop^[1]Floating Drop Throw^[2]Uki OtoshiJP^[3]

Used in

Judo Aikido Shuai Jiao

History & Origin

Uki otoshi was included in the original 1895 Kodokan gokyo as a first-set technique and holds the honour of being the first throw demonstrated in the Nage no Kata. ^[1] Its placement at the beginning of the kata reflects Kano's belief that understanding the pure hand-throw principle is foundational to all other throwing techniques. ^[2],[3]

Country of origin· shown in random order

Japan浮落とし(Uki Otoshi)Judo, Aikido
ChinaShuai Jiao

Effectiveness

Uki otoshi (floating drop) is a hand technique that pulls the opponent forward and downward in a circular motion, using timing and momentum rather than body contact. ^[1] It is technically demanding but demonstrates pure kuzushi principles. ^[1],[2]

Lineage

Uki otoshi is part of the Kodokan judo te-waza syllabus and is the first throw in Nage no Kata (the forms of throwing). ^[1]

Competition Record

Uki otoshi is seen more in kata competition than in randori-based competition, though it is occasionally scored in IJF events. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Loading the opponent onto the hip and rotating them over it — the hip acts as the fulcrum

Joints Involved — Attacker's hip (fulcrum point), knees (deep bend for loading), core (rotation), opponent's centre of gravity (elevated)

Force Vector — Rotational — pulling and turning motion loads the opponent, then hip extension and rotation drives them over

Kuzushi (Off-balancing) — Forward and upward — breaking opponent's posture forward lifts their centre of gravity onto the attacker's hip

Position & Entry

From judo grip — Break the opponent's balance forward (kuzushi), turn in with hip below their centre of gravity, and rotate to throw

From clinch (overhook or underhook) — Secure inside position, turn the hips across the opponent's body, load and throw

Videos

PAT settore Judo Fijlkam

05 Uki Otoshi

Uki Otoshi·PAT settore Judo Fijlkam

6/7 giugno 2015 Corso di aggiornamento tecnici judo 2015 Molveno - Centro Sportivo M° Felice Mariani

Seiryoku Zenyo

Uki Otoshi

Uki Otoshi·Seiryoku Zenyo

Mark Gilston, 4th degree judo black belt, discusses and demonstrates uses of Uki Otoshi, the Floating Drop throw in judo…

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

Arm throws use arm leverage; shoulder dislocation risk if arm trapped

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

✓Uki otoshi (floating drop) throws the opponent by pulling them forward and down in a spiral using hand action only

✓Step to the side and pull the opponent diagonally forward and down — their own forward momentum carries them to the mat

✓No hip contact, no sweeping leg — the throw is accomplished entirely through the pulling action of the hands

✓The timing must be perfect: pull as the opponent steps forward, adding to their existing momentum

✓Uki otoshi is often called the purest demonstration of kuzushi in judo — it is throwing by off-balancing alone

✓Drop to one knee or maintain standing position as you spiral the opponent forward and down

✓The direction of the pull is forward, to the side, and downward — a three-dimensional spiral

Common Mistakes

!Trying to use strength to pull the opponent down instead of timing the pull to their step

!Not stepping to the side — uki otoshi requires a lateral step to create the angle for the spiral

!Pulling straight down instead of forward-sideways-down in a spiral path

!Attempting uki otoshi against a stationary opponent — they must be in motion for the timing to work

!Not dropping your own centre of gravity during the pull — you must go down to bring them down

!Pulling with the arms only without body rotation — your entire body must contribute to the spiral

!Treating uki otoshi as a simple pull-down — it is a sophisticated technique that requires extensive practice to apply in randori

Related Techniques

Major Hip Throw — shares hip-loading mechanics and similar kuzushi principles 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 Block the Hip — post hand on the thrower's hip to prevent loading Step Around — circle away from the throw direction to avoid being loaded 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

hip rotation speed, core strength, lower back stability

Favours

strong hips and core, good flexibility for turning entry

Key muscles

hip rotators, core, quadriceps, latissimus dorsi

Sub-techniques

Find by what a technique does — not its name

Every move, in any martial art, shares a few universal traits. Mix and match below to pinpoint the right tool — or compare equivalents across styles.

Standard Uki Otoshi

Genus

Standard Uki Otoshi executes the classical floating drop where the thrower steps to the side, drops to one knee, and pulls the opponent forward and downward with both hands to project them over and past the thrower. [1] The throwing force is entirely generated by the combination of the body drop and the pulling hand action, with no hip or leg contact. [1,2] The technique demonstrates the principle that a well-timed directional pull combined with a sudden level change can produce a powerful throw. [2,3]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use Uki Otoshi versus other throws like Osu no Gake?

Uki Otoshi works best when your opponent is committed and pushing into you. If they're moving cautiously and not committing their weight, Seiryoku Zenyo instructors recommend switching to Osu no Gake instead, since Uki Otoshi requires that forward momentum to be effective.

How do I execute the leg movement in Uki Otoshi?

Step forward to block your opponent's movement, but rather than just blocking passively, bend your leg as you step and then straighten it—this extension of your leg throws them off balance.

Can Uki Otoshi be used as a counter technique?

Yes, Uki Otoshi can counter advancing techniques like foot sweeps. As soon as you feel your opponent start to attack or go off balance, respond with the pull-down motion, and they essentially throw themselves.

What's the difference between Uki Otoshi and Sumiyotoshi?

Uki Otoshi works when your opponent continues to push forward aggressively, while Sumiyotoshi (corner drop) is the opposite direction technique that works when they are withdrawing and hesitating.

How does the Uki Otoshi work?

Where does the Uki Otoshi come from?

Uki otoshi was included in the original 1895 Kodokan gokyo as a first-set technique and holds the honour of being the first throw demonstrated in the Nage no Kata. Its placement at the beginning of the kata reflects Kano's belief that understanding the pure hand-throw principle is foundational to all other throwing techniques.

Is the Uki Otoshi 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 Uki Otoshi?

Danger rating 5/10. High — arm throws use arm leverage; shoulder dislocation risk if arm trapped

How do I set up the Uki Otoshi?

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

How do I defend against the Uki Otoshi?

Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Block the Hip — post hand on the thrower's hip to prevent loading / Step Around — circle away from the throw direction to avoid being loaded / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration.

What are the variants of the Uki Otoshi?

Common variants: Standard hip throw (full turn-in with hip below the opponent's centre of gravity); No-gi hip throw (adapted without gi grips, using overhook and collar tie); Drop hip throw (dropping to one knee to lower the fulcrum point); Combination hip throw (chaining from a failed foot technique or hand technique).

How effective is the Uki Otoshi in competition?

Uki otoshi is seen more in kata competition than in randori-based competition, though it is occasionally scored in IJF events.

What are common mistakes when doing the Uki Otoshi?

Top errors to watch for: Trying to use strength to pull the opponent down instead of timing the pull to their step / Not stepping to the side — uki otoshi requires a lateral step to create the angle for the spiral / Pulling straight down instead of forward-sideways-down in a spiral path / Attempting uki otoshi against a stationary opponent — they must be in motion for the timing to work.

What are other names for the Uki Otoshi?

The Uki Otoshi is also known as Floating Drop, Floating Drop Throw, Uki Otoshi.

uki otoshi throw hand technique throw te waza arm throw judo aikido floating drop floating drop throw