Uki Goshi

SubFamily

浮腰(Uki Goshi)

Traditional

Translation: floating hip throw

Overview

Uki Goshi (floating hip throw) is considered one of the earliest techniques developed in Kodokan judo, in which the thrower turns partially (not fully turning the back), places the hip against the opponent's hip, and uses a sweeping hip motion combined with arm pull to float the opponent over. ^[1] The 'floating' quality refers to the lighter hip contact compared to o-goshi — rather than loading the opponent fully onto the hip, uki-goshi uses a glancing hip action that redirects the opponent's momentum into a forward rotation. ^[1],[2] The technique requires less commitment than o-goshi, making it useful as a probing attack or combination starter, and it is historically significant as one of Jigoro Kano's personal favourite techniques. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Floating Hip Throw^[1]Floating Hip^[2]Uki GoshiJP^[3]Half Hip Throw^[4]

Used in

Judo Aikido

History & Origin

Uki goshi is regarded as one of the techniques that Jigoro Kano himself developed and refined during the founding period of judo, making it one of the most historically significant throws in the art. ^[1] Kano reportedly used uki-goshi to defeat jujutsu practitioners in the early Kodokan challenge matches, demonstrating the effectiveness of his refined throwing methodology. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

Uki goshi (floating hip throw) uses a loose hip contact to float the opponent over, emphasising timing and momentum rather than lifting power. ^[1],[2]

Lineage

Uki goshi is part of the Kodokan judo koshi-waza syllabus and was reportedly the first throw Jigoro Kano developed that differed from classical jujutsu. ^[1]

Competition Record

Uki goshi is scored in judo competition, though less frequently than more powerful hip throws. ^[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

WINNING

Uki Goshi

Uki Goshi·WINNING

Uki Goshi

Tair Nariman

uki-goshi

Uki Goshi·Tair Nariman

Kodokan Shin-ryu basic technique - uki-goshi. Seminar in Gomel, White Russia, 2008

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

High6/10

O-Goshi and variants; high amplitude hip throw with significant impact (Kano 1986)

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Beginner

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 goshi (floating hip throw) uses a lighter hip contact than o goshi — the hip bumps rather than fully loads uke (Mifune, Canon of Judo, 1956)

✓Enter at an angle rather than squarely — uki goshi works best when you catch uke moving laterally

✓The throwing arm wraps around uke's waist but the emphasis is on rotation, not lift

✓Use a sharp hip bump combined with a strong sleeve pull to float uke over

✓This throw is excellent as a transition — if uki goshi is blocked, shift to o goshi by deepening the entry

✓Timing is more critical than power in uki goshi; drill it off uke's forward step

✓Uki goshi was Kano's first throw, developed before o goshi (Kano, Kodokan Judo, 1986)

Common Mistakes

!Trying to lift uke as heavily as in o goshi — uki goshi is a floating/bumping action, not a power lift

!Turning in too deeply, which converts it into o goshi and loses the floating quality

!Not using the hip bump at the moment of uke's forward momentum — timing is everything

!Gripping too tightly with the wrapping arm, which slows the rotation

!Planting both feet before throwing — uki goshi works best with the rear foot still moving

!Neglecting the sleeve pull, which is what creates the floating sensation

!Standing too upright — a slight forward lean helps generate the rotational momentum

Related Techniques

Major Hip Throw — shares hip-loading mechanics and similar kuzushi principles Foot Sweep — complementary off-balancing technique using similar directional forces 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 Uki Goshi

Genus

Standard Uki Goshi executes the classical floating hip throw where the thrower turns partially to the side, places the hip against the opponent's front hip, and uses a sweeping hip motion combined with arm pulling to float the opponent over the hip to the mat. [1] The partial turn means the thrower faces more sideways than in o-goshi, with the hip acting as a glancing fulcrum rather than a direct loading platform. [1,2] The technique produces a smooth, flowing throw that relies on timing and redirection rather than raw lifting power. [2,3]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I practice uki goshi by coming in high?

Practicing high gives you a safety margin—if your opponent resists your pull and you end up lower than intended, you'll still be in a position to complete the throw. If you practice at the exact height you need, any resistance drops you too low to generate off-balance.

What's the correct entry motion for uki goshi?

Come in low with bent knees in one continuous motion, then straighten up to lift your opponent slightly off the mat. Avoid breaking the motion into separate down-and-up phases; the entire entry should flow as a single lift.

How should I position my foot and pull my opponent's arm in uki goshi?

Place your foot at the top of the triangle formed by the throw direction, then slide your arm toward you and pull down on their arm—not outward. Keep your knees bent throughout to maintain control.

How does the Uki Goshi work?

Where does the Uki Goshi come from?

Uki goshi is regarded as one of the techniques that Jigoro Kano himself developed and refined during the founding period of judo, making it one of the most historically significant throws in the art. Kano reportedly used uki-goshi to defeat jujutsu practitioners in the early Kodokan challenge matches, demonstrating the effectiveness of his refined throwing methodology.

Is the Uki 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 Uki Goshi?

Danger rating 6/10. High — O-Goshi and variants; high amplitude hip throw with significant impact (Kano 1986)

How do I set up the Uki Goshi?

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

How do I defend against the Uki 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 Uki 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 Uki Goshi in competition?

Uki goshi is scored in judo competition, though less frequently than more powerful hip throws.

What are common mistakes when doing the Uki Goshi?

Top errors to watch for: Trying to lift uke as heavily as in o goshi — uki goshi is a floating/bumping action, not a power lift / Turning in too deeply, which converts it into o goshi and loses the floating quality / Not using the hip bump at the moment of uke's forward momentum — timing is everything / Gripping too tightly with the wrapping arm, which slows the rotation.

What are other names for the Uki Goshi?

The Uki Goshi is also known as Floating Hip Throw, Floating Hip, Uki Goshi, Half Hip Throw.

uki goshi throw hip technique throw koshi waza major hip throw judo aikido floating hip throw floating hip half hip throw