Sutemi-waza(sacrifice techniques) vol.1~5
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Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza·이상철 프로 6단
Sutemi-waza(sacrifice techniques) vol.1~5 [김경진 프로4단] '누우며 던지는 기술' vol.1~5 #김경진 #Kyung-jin,Kim #KOR shooting day / 촬영 …
Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza
Group捨身技(Sutemi-waza)
TraditionalTranslation: sacrifice technique
Overview
Sacrifice Throw, known in Japanese as Sutemi Waza, is the group of throwing techniques in which the thrower deliberately abandons their own standing base to complete the throw. [1] Unlike standing throws where tori maintains upright balance throughout, sacrifice throws require the attacker to fall to the ground — either onto their back (rear sacrifice) or onto their side (side sacrifice) — using their own body weight and momentum as the primary throwing mechanism. [1],[2] The Kodokan classifies sutemi waza as one of the three major divisions of nage waza, alongside tachi waza (standing techniques), recognising that controlled self-sacrifice can generate enormous throwing force even against larger, stronger opponents. [1],[3] Sacrifice throws are further subdivided into ma sutemi waza (rear sacrifice), yoko sutemi waza (side sacrifice), and rolling sacrifice (makikomi) variants, each exploiting different vectors of force application. [2],[3] In competition judo, sacrifice throws account for a significant proportion of successful ippon scores because they are difficult to defend once initiated and can be launched as counter-attacks when an opponent over-commits to their own technique. [3],[4] These techniques are also widely adopted in sambo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and mixed martial arts, where the willingness to go to the ground carries less tactical penalty. [4],[5] Mastery of sacrifice throws demands precise timing, commitment, and the ability to transition immediately to ground work if the throw does not achieve a clean finish. [2],[5]
History & Origin
Sacrifice throws have roots in classical Japanese jujutsu systems where warriors needed techniques effective against armoured opponents who were difficult to unbalance with conventional standing throws. [1] Jigoro Kano incorporated several sutemi waza into the Kodokan syllabus from its earliest days, recognising their effectiveness in randori and shiai. [1],[2] The 1920 Kodokan gokyo revision formally categorised sacrifice throws alongside standing techniques, cementing their status within judo pedagogy. [2],[3] Throughout the 20th century, Eastern European judoka — particularly Soviet and Georgian competitors — became renowned for their innovative application of sacrifice throws in international competition. [3],[4]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Jigoro Kano classified sutemi-waza as one of the five categories of nage-waza, divided into ma-sutemi-waza (rear sacrifice) and yoko-sutemi-waza (side sacrifice). [1]
Competition Record
Sacrifice throws are frequently used in IJF competition, particularly by lighter-weight competitors who lack the power for standing hip throws. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — The attacker deliberately falls to the ground, using their falling body weight as the throwing force
Joints Involved — Attacker's full body (falling mass), opponent's centre of gravity (redirected by the fall)
Force Vector — Downward and rotational — the attacker's falling body creates momentum that pulls or rotates the opponent
Sacrifice Principle — Trading one's own base for maximum throwing force — high commitment, high reward technique
Position & Entry
From judo grip — Break opponent's balance in the intended direction, place foot on their hip or thigh, fall backward while pulling them over
From clinch — During a grip exchange, sacrifice balance by falling deliberately while using body weight to project the opponent
Videos
Neil Owen - Yoko Sutemi Waza (Side Sacrifice Throw)
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Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza·Infinity Martial Arts
For more information or to try a free class visit http://infinitymartialarts.com.au/ or http://infinity4martialarts.co.u…
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Sacrifice throws involve tori falling with uke; higher risk of uncontrolled landing
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
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
✓Sacrifice throws require falling to the ground yourself to throw the opponent — you sacrifice your standing position
✓Commit fully: half-hearted sacrifice throws leave you on the ground with the opponent standing over you
✓Sacrifice throws are most effective as counters or when the opponent is strongly resisting forward or backward throws
✓Fall directly under or beside the opponent, using your body drop plus a leg or hip action to redirect them
✓In competition judo, sacrifice throws are high-risk, high-reward techniques that can produce ippon from unexpected angles
✓Tomoe nage, sumi gaeshi, and tani otoshi are the most commonly seen sacrifice throws at elite level
✓Sacrifice throws work best when chained after a failed standing throw — the opponent defends the first attack and is unbalanced for the sacrifice
Common Mistakes
!Not committing to falling — tentative sacrifice throws leave you in a seated position with no throw accomplished
!Pulling the opponent down on top of you instead of redirecting them past or over you
!Falling backward without any foot or leg action against the opponent — you simply sit down with no throwing mechanism
!Attempting sacrifice throws when the opponent has strong forward pressure — they drive through you
!Not maintaining grip throughout the fall — releasing the grip eliminates control of the throw's direction
!Using sacrifice throws as a first attack without any setup — they work best as combinations or counters
!Landing on your side or face instead of your back, reducing control and risking injury
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
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
5Fall (Sutemi) — commit body weight to the ground to generate throwing force
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
commitment, timing, body weight manipulation, falling skill
Favours
heavier build (body weight drives the throw), good ukemi
Key muscles
core rotators, hip flexors, abdominals
Sub-techniques
Rear Sacrifice
FamilyRear Sacrifice, or Ma Sutemi Waza, is the family of sacrifice throws in which tori falls directly backward to execute the technique. [1] The thrower positions their body beneath the opponent, plants a foot on the opponent's hip, abdomen, or thigh, and rolls backward, using the fulcrum of the planted foot combined with backward momentum to launch uke overhead or to the side. [1,2] This family includes some of judo's most spectacular techniques, such as tomoe nage (circle throw), sumi gaeshi (corner reversal), and ura nage (rear throw), all of which generate considerable rotational force through the principle of leveraging one's own falling body mass against the opponent's centre of gravity. [2,3] Rear sacrifice throws are particularly effective as counter-attacks against forward-leaning opponents and in situations where tori's back is near the edge of the competition area. [3,4]
5 subfamilies·8 techniquesExplore
Rolling Sacrifice
FamilyRolling Sacrifice, or Makikomi Waza, is the family of sacrifice throws in which tori wraps their body around uke and rolls through the throw, using rotational momentum and body-weight entanglement to bring uke to the ground. [1,2] Unlike rear or side sacrifice throws where tori falls in a relatively straight line, makikomi throws involve a distinctive wrapping or winding action — tori's arm and body coil around uke, binding them together so that tori's falling body weight directly drags uke down. [2,3] This family includes harai makikomi, soto makikomi, and uchi makikomi, each applying the winding principle to a different base throw. [3,4] Makikomi throws are prized in competition for their ability to generate enormous power and for the difficulty opponents face in escaping once the roll has been initiated. [4]
3 subfamilies·6 techniquesExplore
Side Sacrifice
FamilySide Sacrifice, or Yoko Sutemi Waza, is the family of sacrifice throws in which tori falls to their side to execute the technique, using lateral body drop and rotational momentum to throw uke. [1,2] Unlike rear sacrifice throws where tori falls straight back, side sacrifice techniques involve tori dropping to one side, often sweeping or blocking uke's leg while pulling them laterally. [2,3] This family includes tani otoshi (valley drop), yoko guruma (side wheel), yoko otoshi (side drop), and yoko wakare (side separation), each employing a different mechanism of lateral force application. [3,4] Side sacrifice throws are especially effective as counter-techniques and combination finishers, exploiting lateral movement and off-balance positions that standing throws cannot easily address. [4,5]
4 subfamilies·8 techniquesExplore
Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi)
FamilyThe Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi Waza) family covers sacrifice throws where the thrower falls to their side while executing the throw — one of two sacrifice throw sub-categories in judo (alongside ma sutemi waza where the thrower falls on their back). [1] Yoko sutemi throws use the thrower's sideways falling momentum to lever the opponent over or around them, often creating spectacular rotational throws. [1,2] Key yoko sutemi techniques include yoko otoshi (side drop), tani otoshi (valley drop), yoko guruma (side wheel), and yoko gake (side hook). [2,3] These throws are particularly effective when the opponent has strong forward-backward balance but is vulnerable to lateral attacks. [3]
3 subfamilies·4 techniquesExplore
Notes
Sutemi waza (sacrifice techniques) are divided into ma-sutemi (rear sacrifice) and yoko-sutemi (side sacrifice) in the Kodokan system. Tomoe nage appears in 9 passages across 6 books, tani otoshi in 13 across 8. These throws are considered advanced techniques requiring commitment and timing. (6-8 books; Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most important thing to focus on when executing a side sacrifice throw?
The key to the trick is breaking the opponent's posture downwards. Neil Owen emphasizes that this posture break is what makes the technique work effectively.
How do you control your opponent's movement before committing to the throw?
Pull across your opponent's arms to make them step, and keep your arms underneath to slide their arm down rather than pushing back. This positioning allows you to find the center before executing the sacrifice.
Do you need momentum to perform a side sacrifice throw?
Yes, you need to get some momentum if you want the technique to work effectively, according to Neil Owen.
How does the Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza work?
Sacrifice Throw, known in Japanese as Sutemi Waza, is the group of throwing techniques in which the thrower deliberately abandons their own standing base to complete the throw. Unlike standing throws where tori maintains upright balance throughout, sacrifice throws require the attacker to fall to the ground — either onto their back (rear sacrifice) or onto their side (side sacrifice) — using their own body weight and momentum as the primary throwing mechanism.
Where does the Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza come from?
Sacrifice throws have roots in classical Japanese jujutsu systems where warriors needed techniques effective against armoured opponents who were difficult to unbalance with conventional standing throws. Jigoro Kano incorporated several sutemi waza into the Kodokan syllabus from its earliest days, recognising their effectiveness in randori and shiai.
Is the Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza 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 Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza?
Danger rating 6/10. High — sacrifice throws involve tori falling with uke; higher risk of uncontrolled landing
How do I set up the Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake) → Fall (Sutemi).
How do I defend against the Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza?
Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration / Stiff-Arm — maintain distance with straight arms to prevent the entry.
What are the variants of the Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza?
Common variants: Rear sacrifice (falling backward while pulling the opponent over); Side sacrifice (falling to the side to project the opponent laterally); Rolling sacrifice (combining a roll with the sacrifice throw for rotation); Counter sacrifice (using the opponent's forward pressure as the driving force).
How effective is the Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza in competition?
Sacrifice throws are frequently used in IJF competition, particularly by lighter-weight competitors who lack the power for standing hip throws.
What are common mistakes when doing the Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza?
Top errors to watch for: Not committing to falling — tentative sacrifice throws leave you in a seated position with no throw accomplished / Pulling the opponent down on top of you instead of redirecting them past or over you / Falling backward without any foot or leg action against the opponent — you simply sit down with no throwing mechanism / Attempting sacrifice throws when the opponent has strong forward pressure — they drive through you.
What are other names for the Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza?
The Sacrifice Throw — Sutemi Waza is also known as Sutemi-waza, Sacrifice throws, Self-sacrifice throws, Sutemi waza.