SUTEMI WAZA A Comparison of Judo's Sacrifice Techniques
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Rear Sacrifice·welcomematstevescott
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Rear Sacrifice
Family真捨身技(Ma Sutemi-waza)
TraditionalTranslation: rear sacrifice technique
Overview
Rear 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]
History & Origin
Ma sutemi waza techniques appear in many pre-Meiji jujutsu traditions, where falling backward to throw an armoured opponent was a battlefield-tested strategy. [1] Kodokan judo codified rear sacrifice throws as a formal family, with tomoe nage and sumi gaeshi becoming early staples of the competition repertoire. [1],[2] European judoka, especially from France and the Soviet Union, elevated rear sacrifice throws to high art during the mid-20th century. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Ma-sutemi-waza (rear sacrifice) is one of two sutemi-waza subcategories in the Kodokan judo syllabus. [1]
Competition Record
Rear sacrifice throws such as tomoe nage and sumi gaeshi are commonly scored 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 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
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Ma-Sutemi-Waza; tori falls backward pulling uke over; spinal compression risk
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
✓Rear sacrifice throws (ma sutemi waza) involve falling directly backward to throw uke over you — the most committed form of sacrifice (Kodokan classification)
✓Pull uke forward strongly as you fall back — your backward fall and their forward momentum create the throwing force
✓Use the feet or legs as fulcrums against uke's body to direct and amplify the throw
✓Keep your back rounded during the fall to roll smoothly — a flat-back landing is painful and absorbs momentum
✓These throws transition naturally into mount or guard positions in ground fighting
✓Drill on a soft surface first — both tori and uke experience significant impact
✓Rear sacrifices are most effective when uke resists forward throws by pushing — redirect their push energy backward
Common Mistakes
!Falling straight back without pulling uke — you simply sit down and uke remains standing over you
!Not maintaining tension in the arms during the fall — slack arms cannot transmit force
!Landing flat on the back instead of rolling — this knocks the wind out and stalls the technique
!Placing the foot/leg fulcrum too low or too high on uke's body — it must match the throwing direction
!Releasing grips on impact — you need to hold on to control uke's landing and your transition
!Not rolling through after landing — staying on your back gives uke the top position
!Attempting rear sacrifices when uke is pulling you — they work against forward pressure, not backward
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
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
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
Hikkomi Gaeshi
SubFamilyHikkomi Gaeshi is a rear sacrifice throw where the attacker pulls the opponent forward while falling backward, then uses the feet against the opponent's body to launch them overhead. [1] The attacker falls to their back while gripping the opponent, places one or both feet on the opponent's midsection, and uses the falling momentum plus leg extension to flip them over. [1] Similar to Tomoe Nage but with a pulling entry rather than a direct frontal attack. [1]
Explore
Sumi Gaeshi
SubFamilySumi Gaeshi, the corner reversal throw, is a rear sacrifice technique in which tori drops underneath uke while hooking the inside of uke's thigh with one leg and rolling backward to sweep uke over. [1] The throw works by disrupting uke's balance to the rear corner (sumi) while tori's body acts as a fulcrum, creating a wheeling action that carries uke overhead. [1,2] Sumi gaeshi is one of the original forty throws of the Kodokan gokyo and is classified as a ma sutemi waza (rear sacrifice technique). [2,3] The technique is especially effective against opponents who adopt a defensive, bent-over posture, as their lowered centre of gravity can be exploited by the rolling action. [3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Tawara Gaeshi
SubFamilyTawara Gaeshi is a rear sacrifice throw where the attacker wraps both arms around the opponent's waist like carrying a rice bale, then falls backward and rolls the opponent over using the gripping momentum. [1] The name comes from the resemblance to lifting and throwing a tawara (straw rice bale). [1] It requires close body contact and strong gripping to execute effectively. [1]
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Tomoe Nage
SubFamilyTomoe Nage, the circle throw or stomach throw, is one of judo's most iconic sacrifice techniques, in which tori falls backward, places a foot on uke's lower abdomen or hip, and uses a circular pulling motion combined with leg extension to launch uke directly overhead in a somersaulting arc. [1,2] The name 'tomoe' refers to the circular trajectory uke follows during the throw. [1] Tomoe nage is classified as a ma sutemi waza in the Kodokan gokyo and is widely practised across judo, BJJ, and sambo. [2,3] The technique is a high-percentage counter-throw against opponents who push forward aggressively, as their own momentum is redirected vertically. [3,4]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Ura Nage
SubFamilyUra Nage, the rear throw, is a powerful rear sacrifice technique in which tori wraps both arms around uke's torso from the front or side, arches backward, and bridges to lift and throw uke over tori's own body in a high arc. [1,2] Unlike tomoe nage and sumi gaeshi, ura nage does not use a foot planted on the opponent's body; instead, the throwing force comes entirely from the hip extension, back arch, and arm pull. [2,3] Ura nage is classified as a ma sutemi waza and is considered one of the more physically demanding sacrifice throws, requiring significant core and back strength. [3,4]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Notes
Ma-sutemi-waza (rear sacrifice throws) require the thrower to fall directly backward — they are high-commitment techniques with no recovery if they fail. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Rear Sacrifice work?
Rear Sacrifice, or Ma Sutemi Waza, is the family of sacrifice throws in which tori falls directly backward to execute the technique. 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.
Where does the Rear Sacrifice come from?
Ma sutemi waza techniques appear in many pre-Meiji jujutsu traditions, where falling backward to throw an armoured opponent was a battlefield-tested strategy. Kodokan judo codified rear sacrifice throws as a formal family, with tomoe nage and sumi gaeshi becoming early staples of the competition repertoire.
Is the Rear Sacrifice 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 Rear Sacrifice?
Danger rating 6/10. High — Ma-Sutemi-Waza; tori falls backward pulling uke over; spinal compression risk
How do I set up the Rear Sacrifice?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake) → Fall (Sutemi).
How do I defend against the Rear Sacrifice?
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 Rear Sacrifice?
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 Rear Sacrifice in competition?
Rear sacrifice throws such as tomoe nage and sumi gaeshi are commonly scored in IJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Rear Sacrifice?
Top errors to watch for: Falling straight back without pulling uke — you simply sit down and uke remains standing over you / Not maintaining tension in the arms during the fall — slack arms cannot transmit force / Landing flat on the back instead of rolling — this knocks the wind out and stalls the technique / Placing the foot/leg fulcrum too low or too high on uke's body — it must match the throwing direction.
What are other names for the Rear Sacrifice?
The Rear Sacrifice is also known as Ma Sutemi-waza, Back sacrifice throws, Ma sutemi, Direct sacrifice.