Tsuri Goshi

SubFamily

釣腰(Tsuri Goshi)

Traditional

Translation: lifting hip throw

Overview

Tsuri Goshi (lifting hip throw) is a koshi-waza technique in which the thrower grips the opponent's belt or back, lifts them onto the hip with a springing upward action, and throws them forward over the hip. ^[1] The 'tsuri' (lifting) element distinguishes this from o-goshi — rather than wheeling the opponent over with a primarily rotational action, tsuri-goshi uses vertical lifting force generated by the legs and hip to elevate the opponent before projecting them. ^[1],[2] The belt or back grip provides the attachment point for the lift, and the springing hip action drives the opponent upward before the forward rotation completes the throw. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Lifting Hip Throw^[1]Lift-Pull Hip^[2]Tsuri GoshiJP^[3]Belt Lift Hip Throw^[4]

Used in

Judo Sumo Sambo

History & Origin

Tsuri goshi was included in the Kodokan gokyo as a koshi-waza technique, reflecting the traditional importance of belt gripping in Japanese grappling arts. ^[1] The lifting hip principle is shared with many folk wrestling traditions worldwide where belt grips are the primary point of control. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

Tsuri goshi (lifting hip throw) lifts the opponent using a belt or body grip combined with hip rotation, producing a high-amplitude throw. ^[1],[2]

Lineage

Tsuri goshi is part of the Kodokan judo koshi-waza syllabus. ^[1]

Competition Record

Tsuri goshi is scored in judo competition, particularly when belt grip is obtained. ^[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

welcomematstevescott

LATERAL TSURI GOSHI

Tsuri Goshi·welcomematstevescott

Here's an effective way to throw an opponent with Tsuri Goshi (Lifting Hip). #judo #judothrow #judotraining Welcome Ma…

The Judo Way of Life

How To Do Tsuri Goshi || From The Lapel

Tsuri Goshi·The Judo Way of Life

Tsuri Goshi (Lifting Hip Throw) is an absolute beast of a throw. I'm a big fan of Koshi Guruma from the lapel. However…

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

High5/10

Hane-Goshi uses springing hip action; moderate amplitude

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

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

✓Tsuri goshi (lifting hip throw) uses a belt or back-of-gi grip to lift uke onto the hip before throwing (Kodokan Judo, Kano, 1986)

✓Grip uke's belt with the tsurite — in no-gi, grip the waistband or lock your hands around the waist

✓Enter as for o goshi but pull upward with the belt grip to load uke's weight high onto your hip

✓The upward pull is what distinguishes tsuri goshi from o goshi — it creates a springing lift

✓Straighten the legs explosively while pulling uke up and over — the combined action launches them

✓Tsuri goshi is particularly effective against shorter or stockier opponents who resist standard hip throws

✓In competition, switch to tsuri goshi when uke defends o goshi by widening their base

Common Mistakes

!Gripping the belt too loosely — a firm belt grip is essential for the lifting action

!Not pulling upward before rotating — without the lift, it's just a weaker o goshi

!Entering too high — you need to be very low to generate upward force through the legs

!Trying to lift uke entirely with arm strength instead of using the legs

!Not getting hip-to-hip contact before attempting the lift

!Leaning away from uke during the lift — stay tight and close

!Forgetting the sleeve pull — both hands work together, belt pulls up while sleeve directs the fall

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 Tsuri Goshi

Genus

Standard Tsuri Goshi executes the classical lifting hip throw where the thrower grips the opponent's belt with one hand, turns in, lifts the opponent onto the hip with an upward spring of the legs, and throws them forward over the hip. [1] The belt grip allows the thrower to generate significant vertical lift, elevating the opponent's centre of gravity above the hip fulcrum before the forward rotation. [1,2] The throw produces a high-amplitude finish when the lift is powerful enough to fully elevate the opponent before the projection. [2,3]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my opponent is pulling backward and resisting the Tsuri Goshi?

Bring your opponent to balance forward first by pulling them toward you. The Judo Way of Life emphasizes that if your partner is pulling backwards, you'll struggle with the technique, so you need to establish forward balance before committing to the throw.

How do I maintain control while executing the Tsuri Goshi?

Keep constant tension throughout the entire throw—never pause or break the tension you've developed, as this allows your opponent to readjust and defend. The Judo Way of Life stresses maintaining continuous pulling with the belt grip while lifting and keeping your hips across, preventing any opportunity for your opponent to counter.

What grip should I use if I can't get a deep grip over the top?

If you're unable to get that deep grip over the top, come underneath the arm and take hold of the belt, especially if your opponent is bending low. The Judo Way of Life notes you can come under the jacket to grip the belt and lift from there.

What's the key hand position for Lateral Tsuri Goshi?

Use the heel of your hand to clamp down on your opponent—this is a very important key feature of the throw according to welcomematstevescott. The positioning allows you to control your opponent effectively even against a powerful opponent.

How does the Tsuri Goshi work?

Tsuri Goshi (lifting hip throw) is a koshi-waza technique in which the thrower grips the opponent's belt or back, lifts them onto the hip with a springing upward action, and throws them forward over the hip. The 'tsuri' (lifting) element distinguishes this from o-goshi — rather than wheeling the opponent over with a primarily rotational action, tsuri-goshi uses vertical lifting force generated by the legs and hip to elevate the opponent before projecting them.

Where does the Tsuri Goshi come from?

Tsuri goshi was included in the Kodokan gokyo as a koshi-waza technique, reflecting the traditional importance of belt gripping in Japanese grappling arts. The lifting hip principle is shared with many folk wrestling traditions worldwide where belt grips are the primary point of control.

Is the Tsuri 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 Tsuri Goshi?

Danger rating 5/10. High — Hane-Goshi uses springing hip action; moderate amplitude

How do I set up the Tsuri Goshi?

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

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

Tsuri goshi is scored in judo competition, particularly when belt grip is obtained.

What are common mistakes when doing the Tsuri Goshi?

Top errors to watch for: Gripping the belt too loosely — a firm belt grip is essential for the lifting action / Not pulling upward before rotating — without the lift, it's just a weaker o goshi / Entering too high — you need to be very low to generate upward force through the legs / Trying to lift uke entirely with arm strength instead of using the legs.

What are other names for the Tsuri Goshi?

The Tsuri Goshi is also known as Lifting Hip Throw, Lift-Pull Hip, Tsuri Goshi, Belt Lift Hip Throw.

tsuri goshi throw hip technique throw koshi waza spring hip throw judo sumo sambo lifting hip throw lift pull hip belt lift hip throw