TAWARA GAESHI Bale Throw
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Tawara Gaeshi·welcomematstevescott
Tawara Gaeshi (Bale Reverse Direction Throw) is an old throwing technique that continues to be effective and useful. Thi…
Tawara Gaeshi
SubFamily俵返(Tawara Gaeshi)
TraditionalTranslation: rice bale reversal
Overview
Tawara 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]
Tawara-GaeshiJPRice Bale ThrowTawaragaeshi
History & Origin
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus. [1]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Kodokan judo lineage: Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) systematized this technique as part of the Kodokan judo curriculum. Transmitted through the Kodokan instructor system to judo federations worldwide. Adopted into BJJ through Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie → the Gracie family lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Recognized Kodokan judo technique but rarely seen in modern IJF competition due to rule changes favoring forward-throwing techniques. Occasionally appears in kata demonstrations and regional tournaments. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Bear-hug grip around opponent's waist, fall backward, roll opponent over
Joints Involved — Both arms (bear-hug around waist), core and back (backward fall + roll), legs (posting for the roll)
Force Vector — Backward and rotational — the grip and fall create a rolling momentum
Position & Entry
From clinch — Secure both arms around opponent's waist, pull tight, fall backward and roll
After a failed takedown defense — Opponent sprawls but stays close, wrap the waist and execute
Variants
Over-the-shoulder Tawara Gaeshi — rolling the opponent over your shoulder
Side Tawara Gaeshi — falling to the side instead of straight back
Standing Tawara Gaeshi — lifting and throwing without falling
Videos
Judo for MMA - Tawara Gaeshi
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Tawara Gaeshi·Judo4MMA
Judo for MMA (http://judo4mma.com) - How to do Tawara Gaeshi - Rice Bale/Bag Reversal. This method of Tawara Gaeshi is …
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
Moderate.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
IJF Judo— Kodokan classified technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025PDFUnified MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFTraining Notes
✓The bear-hug grip must be LOCKED — clasped hands around the waist
✓Fall backward in a CONTROLLED manner — don't just collapse
✓The rolling momentum comes from the grip tension + backward fall
✓Pull the opponent tight to your body before falling — space between you reduces effectiveness
Common Mistakes
!Loose grip — opponent escapes during the fall
!Falling without pulling opponent close — they post and don't roll
!Not committing to the backward fall — half-attempts stall
!Landing flat on your back without the roll — you end up on bottom with no advantage
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Body lock from clinch → opponent defends the throw → Tawara Gaeshi sacrifice
2Double underhooks → bear hug → Tawara Gaeshi
3Opponent sprawls on your takedown → wrap waist → Tawara Gaeshi from the ground
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
1BookKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
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)
5CitationKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
Community
Athletics
Requires
strong gripping/squeezing power, willingness to sacrifice position, core strength for the roll
Key muscles
forearms (grip), latissimus dorsi (squeezing), core (rolling)
Notes
Tawara gaeshi (rice bale reversal) is a rear sacrifice throw used to counter an opponent who is driving forward — the attacker falls backward and throws the opponent over like tossing a rice bale. Named after the large bales of rice that were a common item in Japanese daily life. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tawara Gaeshi a good counter to?
Tawara Gaeshi is a very good counter to double leg tackles and double leg rotary carrying techniques. According to Judo4MMA, it's particularly useful if your opponent is executing a successful double leg attack.
Should I fall flat on my back when executing Tawara Gaeshi, or is there a better way?
Welcome Mat Steve Scott recommends rolling more over your shoulder and back in a backward shoulder roll rather than falling flat on your back, as this reduces the chances of being scored against and makes the technique more effective.
How do I set up the leg position for Tawara Gaeshi?
You want to have good control of your feet with knees out in a wedge position, stepping in as much as you can before going straight down. Both legs should be hooked into your opponent's inner thighs to assist with the lift and throw.
Can Tawara Gaeshi be used offensively, not just as a counter?
Yes, according to Judo4MMA, Tawara Gaeshi can be done aggressively so that you end up with a nice choke at the end of it, rather than just defensively countering an incoming attack.
How does the Tawara Gaeshi work?
Tawara 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. The name comes from the resemblance to lifting and throwing a tawara (straw rice bale).
Where does the Tawara Gaeshi come from?
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus.
Is the Tawara Gaeshi legal in competition?
IJF Judo: Legal: legal — Kodokan classified technique; IBJJF: Legal {src:IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024|/sources/IBJJF: legal — Rules-v6.0-June-2024.pdf}; Unified MMA: Legal {src:Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025|/sources/Unified: legal — MMA-Rules-August-2025.pdf}; FIAS Sambo: Legal {src:FIAS International Sambo Competition Rules|/sources/FIAS: legal — Sambo-Rules.pdf}
How dangerous is the Tawara Gaeshi?
Danger rating 5/10. Moderate.
How do I set up the Tawara Gaeshi?
The standard setup chain: Body lock from clinch → opponent defends the throw → Tawara Gaeshi sacrifice → Double underhooks → bear hug → Tawara Gaeshi → Opponent sprawls on your takedown → wrap waist → Tawara Gaeshi from the ground.
How do I defend against the Tawara Gaeshi?
Standard counters include: Break the grip — pry the hands apart / Widen stance — make it harder to roll you / Posture up — stand tall to prevent the backward fall.
What are the variants of the Tawara Gaeshi?
Common variants: Over-the-shoulder Tawara Gaeshi (rolling the opponent over your shoulder); Side Tawara Gaeshi (falling to the side instead of straight back); Standing Tawara Gaeshi (lifting and throwing without falling).
How effective is the Tawara Gaeshi in competition?
Recognized Kodokan judo technique but rarely seen in modern IJF competition due to rule changes favoring forward-throwing techniques. Occasionally appears in kata demonstrations and regional tournaments.
What are common mistakes when doing the Tawara Gaeshi?
Top errors to watch for: Loose grip — opponent escapes during the fall / Falling without pulling opponent close — they post and don't roll / Not committing to the backward fall — half-attempts stall / Landing flat on your back without the roll — you end up on bottom with no advantage.
What are other names for the Tawara Gaeshi?
The Tawara Gaeshi is also known as Tawara Gaeshi, Tawara-Gaeshi, Rice Bale Throw, Tawaragaeshi.