Uki Otoshi
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Uki Otoshi·Seiryoku Zenyo
Mark Gilston, 4th degree judo black belt, discusses and demonstrates uses of Uki Otoshi, the Floating Drop throw in judo…
Uki Otoshi
SubFamily浮落とし(Uki Otoshi)
TraditionalTranslation: floating drop
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]
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]
Effectiveness
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]
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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
05 Uki Otoshi
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Uki Otoshi·PAT settore Judo Fijlkam
6/7 giugno 2015 Corso di aggiornamento tecnici judo 2015 Molveno - Centro Sportivo M° Felice Mariani
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
Arm throws use arm leverage; shoulder dislocation risk if arm trapped
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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 RulesPDFTraining 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
Counter Techniques
Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to executeBlock the Hip — post hand on the thrower's hip to prevent loadingStep Around — circle away from the throw direction to avoid being loadedGrip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configurationStiff-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)
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
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
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?
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. 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.
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.