3 Ways To Do Uki Otoshi (One Competition Style Too!)
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Standard Uki Otoshi·DadBod Judo ·Added by Admin
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Standard Uki Otoshi
Genus浮落とし(Uki Otoshi)
TraditionalTranslation: floating drop
Overview
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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Uki otoshi (floating drop) is a technically demanding throw that uses pure hand action to float the opponent forward and down, with no leg or hip contact. [1] While rarely scored in high-level competition due to its extreme timing requirements, it is considered a fundamental expression of kuzushi principle. [2]
Lineage
Uki otoshi was included in the original Kodokan gokyo no waza and is the first technique demonstrated in the Nage no Kata, reflecting its foundational importance in understanding hand-based throwing. [1]
Competition Record
Uki otoshi is featured in Nage no Kata demonstrations and occasionally in IJF randori competition. [1]
Images
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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
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
Videos
1 video
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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
✓From grips, step laterally to the side while pulling the opponent forward
✓As the opponent steps to follow, sharply pull them diagonally forward and downward in a spiralling arc
✓Your body drops to one knee (or stays standing with a deep lunge) as the pull brings the opponent to the mat
✓The sleeve hand (hikite) pulls across your body and downward, the collar hand (tsurite) lifts and then redirects downward
✓The opponent should feel like they are falling into a void — their feet pass the point of balance and they cannot recover
✓The throw is complete when the spiral pull takes the opponent off their feet to the mat
✓Drill by having the opponent walk toward you while you step to the side and spiral them down with timing
Common Mistakes
!Not stepping laterally — trying to execute uki otoshi from directly in front does not create the correct angle
!Pulling straight down instead of in a spiral — forward, to the side, then downward
!Not timing the pull to the opponent's step — the technique requires their forward momentum
!Staying upright while trying to pull the opponent down — drop your own centre
!Using too much force and muscling the technique instead of blending with the opponent's movement
!Not practising the specific pulling path — the spiral direction must be trained
!Releasing the grip during the pull, losing control of the throw's direction
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between stepping into uki otoshi versus using sumiyotoshi?
Instead of going to the corner with a sumiyotoshi, you can step into the technique, take your opponent hard off their foot, and float them up.
How does the Standard Uki Otoshi work?
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. The throwing force is entirely generated by the combination of the body drop and the pulling hand action, with no hip or leg contact.
Where does the Standard Uki Otoshi come from?
The standard form of uki otoshi is the foundational hand technique of Kodokan judo, holding pride of place as the first technique in the Nage no Kata since its creation. It has been practised and studied continuously since the founding of the Kodokan.
Is the Standard 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 Standard Uki Otoshi?
Danger rating 5/10. High — arm throws use arm leverage; shoulder dislocation risk if arm trapped
How do I set up the Standard Uki Otoshi?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Uki Otoshi in competition?
Uki otoshi is featured in Nage no Kata demonstrations and occasionally in IJF randori competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Uki Otoshi?
Top errors to watch for: Not stepping laterally — trying to execute uki otoshi from directly in front does not create the correct angle / Pulling straight down instead of in a spiral — forward, to the side, then downward / Not timing the pull to the opponent's step — the technique requires their forward momentum / Staying upright while trying to pull the opponent down — drop your own centre.
What are other names for the Standard Uki Otoshi?
The Standard Uki Otoshi is also known as Uki Otoshi, Classical Floating Drop, Standard Floating Drop Throw.