Uki Waza
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Uki Waza·WINNING
Self Sacrifice "Floating" Throw
Uki Waza
SubFamily浮技(Uki Waza)
TraditionalTranslation: floating technique
Overview
Uki 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]
Uki-WazaJPFloating ThrowUkiwaza
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 — Fall to the side while extending a leg across opponent's path, pulling them over in a floating motion
Joints Involved — Extended leg (barrier), arms (pulling direction), core (controlled side fall)
Force Vector — Sideways and downward — opponent floats over the attacker's body
Position & Entry
From natural posture — Pull opponent forward and to the side, fall sideways extending a leg across their advance, pull them over
Against lateral movement — Catch the opponent stepping sideways and float them over
Variants
Forward Uki Waza — floating in the forward direction
Diagonal Uki Waza — floating at an angle
Combination Uki Waza — following a throw attempt
Videos
김경진 선생님의 변칙 모로띄기(Uki Waza)
0
Uki Waza·이상철 프로 6단
김경진 선생님의 변칙 모로띄기(Uki-Waza) #김경진 #Kyung-jin.KIM #KOR #한국체육대학교 #유도부 #코치 #浮技 #모로띄기 #Uki-Waza #Floating technique variation…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Moderate.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
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
✓This is a TIMING technique — force doesn't work, you must catch the opponent's momentum
✓The fall must be sideways, not backward — the body creates a ramp for the opponent to float over
✓The extended leg acts as a guide rail, not a block
✓Maintain pulling direction throughout — guide the opponent over your body
Common Mistakes
!Using force instead of timing — the technique requires catching momentum
!Falling backward instead of sideways — wrong body position
!Not extending the leg — without the guide rail, the opponent doesn't float over
!Releasing grip during the fall — lose control of the opponent's direction
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Push-pull sequence creates forward momentum → Uki Waza catches the momentum
2Circular movement → opponent follows → Uki Waza in the direction of their movement
3Failed standing throw → transition to Uki Waza sacrifice
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
exceptional timing, willingness to sacrifice position, flexibility for the controlled side fall
Key muscles
core (controlled fall), grip (maintaining direction), hip flexors (leg extension)
Notes
Uki waza (floating technique) is a side sacrifice throw where the attacker falls to their side while pulling the opponent over. One of the classical yoko-sutemi-waza in the Kodokan system. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main risk if I don't execute Uki Waza correctly?
If you don't do it right, you sacrifice yourself—your opponent will pin you or continue with their own move for points. This is why the technique requires precision.
How should I handle my fall when doing Uki Waza?
Make sure to hold while letting go, and if you're going down, bring your opponent's hand down with you to execute a hard roll. Avoid landing on your shoulder to prevent injury.
Should I practice Uki Waza falls before attempting the full throw?
Yes—lay down a few times first to understand how you fall, then practice rolling before throwing the technique for the first time.
How does the Uki Waza work?
Uki Waza is a side sacrifice throw where the attacker drops to the side while pulling the opponent over their body in a floating motion. 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.
Where does the Uki Waza come from?
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus.
Is the Uki Waza 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 Uki Waza?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate.
How do I set up the Uki Waza?
The standard setup chain: Push-pull sequence creates forward momentum → Uki Waza catches the momentum → Circular movement → opponent follows → Uki Waza in the direction of their movement → Failed standing throw → transition to Uki Waza sacrifice.
How do I defend against the Uki Waza?
Standard counters include: Don't commit forward momentum — the technique needs your movement / Step over the extended leg / Drive forward and pin the attacker on their back.
What are the variants of the Uki Waza?
Common variants: Forward Uki Waza (floating in the forward direction); Diagonal Uki Waza (floating at an angle); Combination Uki Waza (following a throw attempt).
How effective is the Uki Waza 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 Uki Waza?
Top errors to watch for: Using force instead of timing — the technique requires catching momentum / Falling backward instead of sideways — wrong body position / Not extending the leg — without the guide rail, the opponent doesn't float over / Releasing grip during the fall — lose control of the opponent's direction.
What are other names for the Uki Waza?
The Uki Waza is also known as Uki Waza, Uki-Waza, Floating Throw, Ukiwaza.