GODS OF URA NAGE
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Ura Nage·Judoviews M.A
My favourite judokas doing Ura Nage. Khyar Walide / Lasha Shavdatuashvili / Mireia Lapuerta / Ryuju Nagayama / Beka Gvin…
Ura Nage
SubFamily裏投げ(Ura Nage)
TraditionalTranslation: rear throw
Overview
Ura 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]
History & Origin
Ura nage has its origins in sumo and classical jujutsu, where similar backward-arching throws were used to counter charging opponents. [1] Kodokan judo adopted ura nage into the gokyo, and the technique became a signature move of physically powerful competitors. [1],[2] In Greco-Roman wrestling, the souples (suplex) family shares biomechanical similarities with ura nage. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Ura nage scores high-value points in both IJF judo competition and Greco-Roman wrestling. [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
URA NAGE AS A BASIC THROWING TECHNIQUE
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Ura Nage·welcomematstevescott
Ura Nage (Rear Throw) is a fundamentally important throwing technique and we teach it to our students at Welcome Mat ear…
2 videos
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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
✓Ura nage (rear throw) involves wrapping uke from the front and arching backward to throw them behind you — a dramatic, high-amplitude throw (Daigo, Kodokan Judo Throwing Techniques, 2005)
✓Wrap both arms around uke's waist or torso from the front — secure a tight body lock
✓Arch backward while lifting uke's hips — your back acts as a curved ramp they slide over
✓This throw requires significant core and back strength — condition specifically for it
✓Ura nage is most effective as a counter: when uke drives into you, redirect their momentum over your back
✓In wrestling, this is similar to a belly-to-belly suplex — the mechanics are comparable
✓Control the landing carefully — ura nage can produce very hard impacts and head/neck injuries if uncontrolled
✓In competition, ura nage often appears when both fighters are locked in a clinch stalemate
Common Mistakes
!Arching backward without first lifting uke's hips — they slide off the front instead of going over
!Not securing the body lock tightly — uke slips free during the arch
!Using only the back to arch without leg drive — the legs must straighten to generate lift
!Throwing uke directly onto their head — ura nage must be controlled so they land on their upper back
!Attempting without uke's forward pressure — this throw redirects their energy, it doesn't create it
!Not arching far enough — a half-hearted arch dumps uke on your chest
!Releasing the body lock too early — hold through the entire arc
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
Notes
Ura nage (rear throw/suplex) appears in 5 passages across 3 books. The attacker lifts the opponent from the front and arches backward to slam them. One of the most dramatic throws in judo — used as a counter when the opponent drives forward aggressively. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference between using ura nage as a counter versus an aggressive offensive technique?
According to Welcome Mat/Steve Scott, ura nage works both ways: as a counter when your opponent comes in and you drop your level to catch them, and as an aggressive movement where you rush in and catch your opponent. The core mechanics are similar, but the counter relies on timing and anticipation, while the aggressive version involves you initiating the attack.
Why is lowering my hips important when executing ura nage?
Welcome Mat/Steve Scott emphasizes that your hips must be lower than your opponent's hips—you drop low immediately by squatting when they come in. This low hip position is critical for catching your opponent effectively and generating the throw.
How do I set up the grip for an offensive ura nage?
Welcome Mat/Steve Scott explains that you maintain your high grip on the lapel with one hand while stepping in with the opposite side and shooting your other arm around the waist, gripping tightly. You then open, step in, slide around the waist, drop low, and use your legs to drive upward before rotating and arching back.
Is ura nage the same as a soup clutch?
No—Welcome Mat/Steve Scott clarifies that while ura nage has some similar mechanics to a soup clutch, it is not the same technique. Ura nage requires more leg drive; you start low, rotate upward, then arch back and turn immediately.
How does the Ura Nage work?
Ura 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. 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.
Where does the Ura Nage come from?
Ura nage has its origins in sumo and classical jujutsu, where similar backward-arching throws were used to counter charging opponents. Kodokan judo adopted ura nage into the gokyo, and the technique became a signature move of physically powerful competitors.
Is the Ura Nage 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 Ura Nage?
Danger rating 6/10. High — Ma-Sutemi-Waza; tori falls backward pulling uke over; spinal compression risk
How do I set up the Ura Nage?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake) → Fall (Sutemi).
How do I defend against the Ura Nage?
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 Ura Nage?
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 Ura Nage in competition?
Ura nage scores high-value points in both IJF judo competition and Greco-Roman wrestling.
What are common mistakes when doing the Ura Nage?
Top errors to watch for: Arching backward without first lifting uke's hips — they slide off the front instead of going over / Not securing the body lock tightly — uke slips free during the arch / Using only the back to arch without leg drive — the legs must straighten to generate lift / Throwing uke directly onto their head — ura nage must be controlled so they land on their upper back.
What are other names for the Ura Nage?
The Ura Nage is also known as Rear Throw, Back Throw, Ura Nage, Suplex, Brosok Prognuvshis (бросок прогнувшись).