How To Ushiro Goshi in 10 Minutes || The Judo Chokeslam
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Standard Ushiro Goshi·The Judo Way of Life·Added by Admin
How to Ushiro Goshi (Back Hip Throw) is a full length instructional taken from the Judo Way of Life Online Learning prog…
Standard Ushiro Goshi
Genus後腰(Ushiro Goshi)
TraditionalTranslation: rear hip throw
Overview
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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Ushiro goshi is classified in the Kodokan system as a koshi-waza technique, recognised primarily for its role as a counter to forward-throwing attacks. [1]
Competition Record
The standard ushiro goshi is seen as a counter throw in IJF competition. [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 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
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
6
High6/10
Koshi-Guruma uses hip as wheel axis; high rotational force
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
✓As uke turns in for their throw, immediately wrap both arms around their waist from behind
✓Block their hip with your hip — press your hip into the back of their hip to stop their rotation
✓Bend your knees and grip tight, then straighten explosively to lift uke off the mat
✓As you lift, rotate to your throwing side — direct uke to land beside you, not behind you
✓Keep your chin tucked and spine neutral throughout the lift — do not hyperextend the back
✓Drill the counter by having uke enter slowly for o goshi while you practise the block-and-lift timing
✓In competition, the timing window is small — if you miss it, defend the throw conventionally instead
Common Mistakes
!Reaching around uke's waist before they've committed to their throw — this gives away your intention
!Lifting without hip contact — the hip block is what stops uke's throw and creates the lifting platform
!Arching the back to generate lift instead of using leg drive — high injury risk
!Not controlling uke's landing — dropping them straight backward can cause head/neck injuries
!Attempting to counter too late after uke's throw is already in motion — you'll get thrown instead
!Gripping too high around the chest instead of at the waist — reduces lifting power
!Not rotating after the lift — uke should land to your side, not directly behind you
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 key to maintaining control throughout the Ushiro Goshi throw?
You must demonstrate determined, conscious effort to drive your opponent into the floor throughout the entire throw. If you lose control during execution, it's not only bad technique but also dangerous for your partner. The Judo Way of Life emphasizes maintaining a strong grip and keeping your hips forward while driving downward, staying on balance the entire way.
How should my feet be positioned when executing Ushiro Goshi?
Bend your knees and bring your hips forward to generate momentum, then turn your feet back to a neutral, square position before driving your opponent down. You should remain on balance throughout this foot adjustment, which allows you to control the throw properly.
Is Ushiro Goshi a throw I can use in randori and competition?
Yes, according to The Judo Way of Life, Ushiro Goshi is a dynamic, exciting throw that can be called and executed in both randori (free practice) and competition settings.
How does the Standard Ushiro Goshi work?
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. The lift requires the defender to drive the hips under the attacker's centre of gravity while maintaining a locked grip around the waist.
Where does the Standard Ushiro Goshi come from?
The standard form of ushiro goshi has been part of the Kodokan judo curriculum since the early gokyo, taught as the primary counter to forward hip throws. It remains an essential technique in the judo counter-throwing arsenal.
Is the Standard 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 Standard Ushiro Goshi?
Danger rating 6/10. High — Koshi-Guruma uses hip as wheel axis; high rotational force
How do I set up the Standard Ushiro Goshi?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Ushiro Goshi in competition?
The standard ushiro goshi is seen as a counter throw in IJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Ushiro Goshi?
Top errors to watch for: Reaching around uke's waist before they've committed to their throw — this gives away your intention / Lifting without hip contact — the hip block is what stops uke's throw and creates the lifting platform / Arching the back to generate lift instead of using leg drive — high injury risk / Not controlling uke's landing — dropping them straight backward can cause head/neck injuries.
What are other names for the Standard Ushiro Goshi?
The Standard Ushiro Goshi is also known as Ushiro Goshi, Classical Rear Hip Throw, Standard Back Hip Throw, Kihon Ushiro Goshi.