Ushiro Goshi

SubFamily

後腰(Ushiro Goshi)

Traditional

Translation: rear hip throw

Overview

Ushiro Goshi (rear hip throw) is a koshi-waza technique primarily used as a counter-throw, in which the defender blocks the opponent's hip throw attempt, lifts them from behind by wrapping the arms around the waist, and wheels them over the hip in the reverse direction. ^[1] The technique exploits the moment when an attacker turns in for a hip throw — by blocking the turn, securing a grip around the waist from behind, and using the hip as a fulcrum, the defender can lift and reverse the opponent's own throwing attempt. ^[1],[2] Ushiro-goshi requires significant strength to lift the opponent and sufficient hip placement to create the wheeling action. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Rear Hip Throw^[1]Back Hip Throw^[2]Ushiro GoshiJP^[3]Reverse Hip^[4]

Used in

Judo Sambo Wrestling

History & Origin

Ushiro goshi was included in the Kodokan gokyo as a koshi-waza technique, valued as one of judo's most effective counter-throws against hip-throw attacks. ^[1] The technique demonstrates the judo principle of using the opponent's committed attack against them by redirecting the energy. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

Ushiro goshi (rear hip throw) counters an opponent's hip throw by lifting them from behind using the hips. ^[1] It is one of judo's primary counter-throwing techniques. ^[1],[2]

Lineage

Ushiro goshi is part of the Kodokan judo koshi-waza syllabus, specifically developed as a counter to forward hip throws. ^[1]

Competition Record

Ushiro goshi is scored in IJF competition as a counter throw. ^[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 standard judo grip (collar and sleeve) — Pull opponent forward and off-balance (kuzushi), turn in with back to opponent, load their weight onto your hip, extend legs and rotate to throw

From overhook (no-gi) — Secure an overhook and collar tie, turn in placing hip across opponent's centreline, and execute the hip throw

Videos

JUDÔ ONTEM E HOJE

TÉCNICA USHIRO GOSHI

Ushiro Goshi·JUDÔ ONTEM E HOJE

O canal Judô ontem e hoje, mostrará técnicas, filosofia da arte, atualizações de técnicas, grandes mestres, contra- ataq…

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

High6/10

Koshi-Guruma uses hip as wheel axis; high rotational force

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

✓Ushiro goshi (rear hip throw) is the classic counter to forward hip throws — you block uke's throw and lift them backward (Kano, Kodokan Judo, 1986)

✓When uke turns in for a hip throw, wrap your arms around their waist from behind and block their hip with yours

✓Lift uke by straightening your legs and arching slightly backward — their own forward momentum helps the lift

✓Rotate to the side as you lift to bring uke around and down to the mat

✓Ushiro goshi requires explosive reactive timing — you must respond the instant uke begins their entry

✓In no-gi grappling, ushiro goshi translates as the rear body lock lift counter

✓Condition the lower back and posterior chain — this throw demands significant lifting strength

Common Mistakes

!Trying to lift uke straight up without hip contact — your hip must block theirs first

!Arching backward too aggressively — this risks landing uke on their head (dangerous)

!Not securing the waist wrap before attempting to lift — uke can slip out

!Attempting ushiro goshi when uke has already completed their entry — too late to counter

!Lifting with the back instead of the legs — keep the spine neutral and drive with the legs

!Not rotating to the side after lifting — lifting straight back is uncontrolled

!Using ushiro goshi against techniques other than forward throws — it's specifically a counter

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

Standard Ushiro Goshi

Genus

Standard Ushiro Goshi executes the classical rear hip throw where the defender wraps both arms around the attacker's waist from behind as they attempt a hip throw, lifts them by driving the hips underneath, and wheels them over the hip to the mat in the reverse direction. [1] The lift requires the defender to drive the hips under the attacker's centre of gravity while maintaining a locked grip around the waist. [1,2] The wheeling action rotates the attacker over the defender's hip and deposits them on the mat. [2,3]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Ushiro Goshi work?

Ushiro Goshi (rear hip throw) is a koshi-waza technique primarily used as a counter-throw, in which the defender blocks the opponent's hip throw attempt, lifts them from behind by wrapping the arms around the waist, and wheels them over the hip in the reverse direction. The technique exploits the moment when an attacker turns in for a hip throw — by blocking the turn, securing a grip around the waist from behind, and using the hip as a fulcrum, the defender can lift and reverse the opponent's own throwing attempt.

Where does the Ushiro Goshi come from?

Ushiro goshi was included in the Kodokan gokyo as a koshi-waza technique, valued as one of judo's most effective counter-throws against hip-throw attacks. The technique demonstrates the judo principle of using the opponent's committed attack against them by redirecting the energy.

Is the Ushiro Goshi 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 Ushiro Goshi?

Danger rating 6/10. High — Koshi-Guruma uses hip as wheel axis; high rotational force

How do I set up the Ushiro Goshi?

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

How do I defend against the Ushiro Goshi?

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 Ushiro Goshi?

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 Ushiro Goshi in competition?

Ushiro goshi is scored in IJF competition as a counter throw.

What are common mistakes when doing the Ushiro Goshi?

Top errors to watch for: Trying to lift uke straight up without hip contact — your hip must block theirs first / Arching backward too aggressively — this risks landing uke on their head (dangerous) / Not securing the waist wrap before attempting to lift — uke can slip out / Attempting ushiro goshi when uke has already completed their entry — too late to counter.

What are other names for the Ushiro Goshi?

The Ushiro Goshi is also known as Rear Hip Throw, Back Hip Throw, Ushiro Goshi, Reverse Hip.

ushiro goshi throw hip technique throw koshi waza hip wheel judo sambo wrestling rear hip throw back hip throw reverse hip