Ma+Yoko Sutemi Waza
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Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi)·HAMI پناهجو
Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi)
Family横捨身技
TransliterationTranslation
Not yet documented
Overview
The 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]
Yoko Sutemi WazaJPSide Sacrifice ThrowLateral Sacrifice
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
From Kodokan judo's original nage waza classification. [1]
Competition Record
Yoko sutemi waza produce ippon at international judo competitions regularly. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Falling to one side while using the body as a lever to rotate or project the opponent laterally
Joints Involved — Hips (dropping sideways while maintaining connection to the opponent), legs (hooking or blocking the opponent's legs during the fall), arms (pulling the opponent over the falling body)
Force Vector — Lateral — the thrower falls sideways, creating a lateral pulling force on the opponent that rotates them over the thrower's body
Throw Mechanic — The thrower's sideways fall creates momentum that, combined with a grip pull and often a leg block or hook, rotates the opponent laterally over the thrower's body
Position & Entry
Tani otoshi (valley drop) — Step behind the opponent's legs, sit down while pulling them backward over your outstretched body — they fall over you into the 'valley' [1]
Yoko guruma (side wheel) — Drop to the side while wrapping an arm around the opponent's waist, wheeling them laterally over your body
Yoko otoshi (side drop) — Drop to one side while pulling the opponent down and over, using your extended body as a fulcrum [2]
Videos
Yoko Sutemi Waza
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Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi)·Judokancazetto
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Sacrifice throws carry risk for both fighters from falling impact; the thrower risks landing in bottom position if the technique fails
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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
✓Ukemi is critical — both thrower and partner must breakfall from lateral angles [1]
✓These throws work best against lateral kuzushi — off-balance the opponent sideways before committing
✓Train the transition to top — sacrifice throws leave you on the ground; immediately scramble to top
✓Use as surprise techniques — yoko sutemi waza work best when unexpected [2]
Common Mistakes
!Falling without connection — must maintain grip contact with the opponent during the fall
!Not committing — half-committed sacrifice throws leave both fighters in awkward positions
!Ignoring the follow-through — must continue the rotation after landing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Grip
2Off-balance Laterally
3Commit to Fall
4Hook or Block Legs
5Project Opponent Over Body
6Scramble to Top
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo (Jigoro Kano, 1986)
1BookKodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)
Description sources — [1] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [2] Best Judo (Inokuma & Sato, 1979)
2BookBest Judo (Inokuma & Sato, 1979)
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
5CitationKodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)
Description sources — [1] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [2] Best Judo (Inokuma & Sato, 1979)
6CitationBest Judo (Inokuma & Sato, 1979)
Community
Athletics
Requires
comfort with falling, grip strength, timing
Favours
agile body type, good ukemi
Key muscles
core (controlling the fall), grip (maintaining connection), hip flexors (hooking)
Sub-techniques
Lateral Drop
SubFamilyThe Lateral Drop is a powerful sacrifice throw where the thrower drives sideways into the opponent, lifting them off their feet and dropping them directly to the mat on their side — one of the most high-amplitude and spectacular throws in wrestling and Greco-Roman competition. [1] The lateral drop is executed from the clinch (typically from an overhook or body lock) and uses the thrower's falling bodyweight combined with a lifting rotation to slam the opponent. [1,2]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Uki Waza
SubFamilyUki Waza is a side sacrifice throw where the attacker drops to the side while pulling the opponent over their body in a floating motion. [1] The attacker falls to their side, extending one leg across the opponent's advance path, and uses a pulling motion to float the opponent over and past them. [1] It relies on timing and redirection rather than force. [1]
Explore
Yoko Gake
SubFamilyYoko Gake is a side sacrifice throw where the attacker hooks the opponent's ankle with their foot while falling sideways, dragging the opponent down with them. [1] The attacker steps to the side, hooks the opponent's near ankle with the sole of the foot, and drops their body weight sideways while pulling the opponent into the fall. [1] It requires precise timing to catch the opponent mid-step. [1]
Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi) work?
The 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). Yoko sutemi throws use the thrower's sideways falling momentum to lever the opponent over or around them, often creating spectacular rotational throws.
Where does the Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi) come from?
Yoko sutemi waza are part of the original Kodokan judo nage waza curriculum, classified separately from rear sacrifice throws (ma sutemi waza).
Is the Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi) 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 Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi)?
Danger rating 6/10. Moderate — sacrifice throws carry risk for both fighters from falling impact; the thrower risks landing in bottom position if the technique fails
How do I set up the Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi)?
The standard setup chain: Establish Grip → Off-balance Laterally → Commit to Fall → Hook or Block Legs → Project Opponent Over Body → Scramble to Top.
How do I defend against the Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi)?
Standard counters include: Step over — stepping over the thrower as they fall / Base and resist — maintaining strong base against lateral pull / Counter-throw — using the thrower's fall as counter-attack opportunity.
What are the variants of the Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi)?
Common variants: Tani otoshi (valley drop) (sitting behind the opponent's legs [1]); Yoko guruma (side wheel) (lateral rotation throw); Yoko otoshi (side drop) (lateral drop pull); Yoko gake (side hook) (hooking the leg while falling sideways); Uki waza (floating technique) (pulling the opponent over while falling sideways); Daki wakare (high body drop) (grasping around the torso and falling sideways [2]).
How effective is the Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi) in competition?
Yoko sutemi waza produce ippon at international judo competitions regularly.
What are common mistakes when doing the Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi)?
Top errors to watch for: Falling without connection — must maintain grip contact with the opponent during the fall / Not committing — half-committed sacrifice throws leave both fighters in awkward positions / Ignoring the follow-through — must continue the rotation after landing.
What are other names for the Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi)?
The Side Sacrifice (Yoko Sutemi) is also known as Yoko Sutemi Waza, Side Sacrifice Throw, Lateral Sacrifice.