Uki-Goshi Tips | Riki Judo Dojo
0
Standard Uki Goshi·Riki Judo Dojo·Added by Admin
Riki sensei explained uki-goshi (浮腰 - floating hip throw) during judo class on 11-10-2022. 0:00 definition 0:16 uki-go…
Standard Uki Goshi
Genus浮腰(Uki Goshi)
TraditionalTranslation: floating hip throw
Overview
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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Uki goshi (floating hip throw) is effective as a transitional throw, frequently used to enter into more powerful techniques like o goshi or harai goshi when the initial float fails to complete the throw. [1] Its lighter hip contact makes it less powerful than o goshi but more adaptable to different situations. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
The standard uki goshi is occasionally scored in IJF competition. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
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
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
O-Goshi and variants; high amplitude hip throw with significant impact (Kano 1986)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
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
✓Enter off uke's forward step — the ideal moment is when their weight shifts onto the front foot
✓Place your hip against uke's hip at a slight angle (roughly 45°) rather than square-on
✓The wrapping arm sits at uke's waist but does not bear their full weight — it guides the rotation
✓Pull the sleeve hand in a sweeping arc forward and downward to direct uke's fall
✓Bump with the hip while rotating your torso — the combined action floats uke over
✓Keep your support leg slightly bent for stability throughout
✓Uki goshi transitions naturally into o goshi or harai goshi if the initial attempt is blocked
Common Mistakes
!Entering square-on like o goshi instead of at an angle — removes the floating quality of the throw
!Over-committing to the lift and stalling when uke resists
!Not timing the hip bump with uke's forward momentum — throwing against a stationary opponent is much harder
!Pulling uke sideways instead of forward-and-over the hip
!Dropping your head during execution — keep your posture relatively upright
!Releasing the sleeve grip before uke is fully committed to the fall
!Not following through with the rotation — uki goshi requires continuous movement
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 turning your opponent effectively in uki goshi?
Shoulder contact and rotation are essential—your shoulder must impact and turn your opponent's shoulders to generate the throw. If your opponent's shoulders remain straight, the technique won't work effectively.
How do I enter uki goshi when my opponent has a stiff arm?
Instead of trying to push through a stiff arm, come up and use your shoulder to get inside. You can use a quarter turn and continue pulling rather than committing to a full rotation, similar to the entry mechanics shown in nagana kata.
How does the Standard Uki Goshi work?
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. 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.
Where does the Standard Uki Goshi come from?
The standard form of uki goshi has been part of the Kodokan curriculum since the art's founding and holds special significance as one of the techniques personally developed by Jigoro Kano. It is taught in the Nage no Kata as one of the representative koshi-waza techniques.
Is the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Uki Goshi?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Uki Goshi in competition?
The standard uki goshi is occasionally scored in IJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Uki Goshi?
Top errors to watch for: Entering square-on like o goshi instead of at an angle — removes the floating quality of the throw / Over-committing to the lift and stalling when uke resists / Not timing the hip bump with uke's forward momentum — throwing against a stationary opponent is much harder / Pulling uke sideways instead of forward-and-over the hip.
What are other names for the Standard Uki Goshi?
The Standard Uki Goshi is also known as Uki Goshi, Classical Floating Hip Throw, Standard Floating Hip, Kihon Uki Goshi.