Traditional Martial Arts in MMA?
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Traditional-Other Throw·The School Of Self Defense
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Traditional-Other Throw
Group伝統投げ技・その他(Dentō Nage-waza / Sonota)
TraditionalTranslation: traditional/other throws
Overview
The Traditional-Other Throw group encompasses throwing techniques from martial arts traditions outside the primary Japanese judo framework, including throws from sambo, sanda (Chinese kickboxing), and shuai jiao (Chinese wrestling). [1],[2] While the other throw groups in this taxonomy derive predominantly from judo's Kodokan classification, this group recognises that many combat systems independently developed sophisticated throwing methods rooted in their own cultural and competitive contexts. [2],[3] Sambo throws blend judo, Greco-Roman wrestling, and folk wrestling traditions of the former Soviet Union, often emphasising leg grabs and unorthodox grip positions. [3],[4] Sanda throws are uniquely adapted for striking-and-throwing rulesets, where the ability to throw from clinch positions or after catching kicks is central to scoring. [4],[5] Shuai jiao, one of the world's oldest martial arts, features throws executed from jacket grips with an emphasis on speed, footwork, and off-balancing through precise angles. [5],[6] Together, these traditions represent the global diversity of human throwing arts beyond the Japanese canon. [6]
History & Origin
Each tradition in this group has deep historical roots. [1] Sambo was developed in the 1920s–1930s in the Soviet Union by Vasili Oshchepkov and Viktor Spiridonov, combining judo with indigenous wrestling styles. [1],[2] Sanda evolved from traditional Chinese martial arts into a modern competitive format under the auspices of the Chinese Wushu Association in the 1970s and 1980s. [2],[3] Shuai jiao traces its origins back over 4,000 years to ancient Chinese wrestling, making it one of the oldest documented grappling traditions in the world. [3],[4]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Traditional throwing arts are represented in international competition through shuai jiao tournaments, sanda competitions, and sambo events under their respective governing bodies. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Sweeping, reaping, or blocking the opponent's foot or leg to remove their base of support
Joints Involved — Attacker's sweeping leg (ankle or shin contact), opponent's supporting ankle or knee (swept)
Force Vector — Two opposing forces — the upper body is directed one way while the sweeping leg removes the support in the opposite direction
Timing Principle — Maximum effectiveness when the opponent's weight is committed to the targeted foot — timing supersedes strength
Position & Entry
From judo grip (collar and sleeve) — Break the opponent's balance (kuzushi), enter the throwing position (tsukuri), and execute the throw (kake)
From clinch — Establish control, off-balance the opponent, and apply the throwing mechanic
From grip fighting — Win the grip battle, establish dominant hand position, and enter the throw
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
Traditional throws from various arts; risk varies by specific technique
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— IJF — Banned since 2010 leg grab prohibition — direct han...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— 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
✓Traditional throws from sambo, sanda, shuai jiao, and other arts each have unique grip systems and entries
✓Study the native grip system of each art: sambo uses jacket grips similar to judo, sanda uses clinch ties, shuai jiao uses short jacket grips
✓Many traditional throws have direct parallels to judo but with subtle variations in grip, entry angle, or finish
✓Sanda throwing specifically incorporates kick catches — catching the opponent's kick and using it as a lever to throw
✓Shuai jiao emphasises speed and the use of the short jacket (da lian) for rapid pulling and off-balancing
✓Sambo combines judo-style throws with wrestling-style leg attacks, creating a uniquely versatile throwing system
✓Cross-training in multiple throwing arts builds a more complete understanding of off-balancing principles
Common Mistakes
!Ignoring the specific grip systems of each art and defaulting to judo grips — each tradition has evolved grips for its ruleset
!Not adapting throw entries to the specific uniform or no-gi conditions of the art
!Attempting catches and counter-throws from sanda without first mastering basic clinch control
!Over-committing to a single traditional system and missing complementary techniques from related arts
!Not understanding the scoring system of each art, which affects which throws are strategically valuable
!Treating traditional throws as inferior to judo or wrestling throws — many have been proven at the highest levels of combat sports
!Ignoring the self-defence applications of traditional throws that may be prohibited in sport competition
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
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
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese martial arts traditional terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese martial arts traditional terminology
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationJapanese martial arts traditional terminology
Sambo, Sanda, Shuai Jiao — non-Judo throwing traditions
Community
Athletics
Requires
coordination, grip strength, hip and core power, balance
Favours
athletic build with strong hips and good proprioception
Key muscles
core, hips, legs, grip/forearms
Sub-techniques
Sambo Throw
FamilySambo Throw is the family of throwing techniques characteristic of sport sambo and combat sambo, which combine elements of judo, Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling, and the folk wrestling traditions of the diverse peoples of the former Soviet Union. [1,2] Sambo throws are distinguished by their permissive rules regarding leg grabs, belt grips, and unorthodox entry angles — techniques that have been restricted or banned in modern judo competition. [2,3] The sambo throwing arsenal emphasises practical effectiveness, with athletes trained to execute throws from a wide variety of gripping positions including belt holds, collar ties, underhooks, and direct leg attacks. [3,4] Many throws in sambo resemble judo or wrestling techniques but are adapted to the sambo jacket (kurtka) and the sport's specific scoring criteria, which reward amplitude and decisive finishes. [4]
1 subfamilies·2 techniquesExplore
Sanda Throw
FamilySanda Throw is the family of throwing techniques used in sanda (also called sanshou), the full-contact Chinese kickboxing format that permits striking and throwing but not sustained ground fighting. [1,2] Sanda throws are uniquely adapted to a ruleset where fighters must throw from striking range or the clinch, often in combination with punches and kicks, and where throws are scored based on amplitude and control. [2,3] The sanda throwing repertoire includes clinch-based throws similar to Greco-Roman and judo techniques, as well as the distinctive kick-catch throws in which a fighter intercepts the opponent's kick and uses the caught limb as a lever to execute the throw. [3,4] Sanda competitors must develop the timing to transition rapidly from striking to throwing, making these techniques distinct in their application context. [4]
2 subfamilies·4 techniquesExplore
Shuai Jiao Throw
FamilyShuai Jiao Throw is the family of throwing techniques from shuai jiao, the traditional Chinese wrestling art that is widely regarded as one of the oldest martial arts in the world. [1,2] Shuai jiao throws are executed from standing grappling positions using the traditional jacket (da lian), and emphasise rapid entry, precise footwork, and angular off-balancing to uproot the opponent and throw them to the ground. [2,3] Unlike judo, shuai jiao competition traditionally does not include ground fighting — bouts are won exclusively by throws, making the throwing art exceptionally refined. [3,4] Shuai jiao techniques include trips, sweeps, hip throws, and shoulder throws, many of which bear resemblance to judo techniques but are executed with distinctive Chinese grip patterns and entry angles. [4]
1 subfamilies·2 techniquesExplore
Notes
Traditional throws from non-judo, non-wrestling systems — Sambo, Sanda, Shuai Jiao — reflect regional grappling traditions. Sanda appears in 248 passages across 79 books, hapkido in 474 across 61. Each system developed throwing techniques shaped by its cultural and competitive context. (79+ books; regional martial arts texts)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't I see traditional martial arts techniques like Wing Chun trapping used in MMA?
Complex trapping sequences in Wing Chun are designed for Wing Chun versus Wing Chun competition, where both fighters understand the system. In MMA, fighters face opponents from diverse backgrounds, so these specialized techniques become ineffective. Instead, MMA fighters focus on the raw essentials that work across all ranges.
What's the best approach to learning an effective fighting system?
Rather than constantly accumulating as many techniques as possible, focus on elimination—finding the raw essentials that make your art most effective and honing those skills. This is what successful mixed martial artists do across the standing phase, clinch phase, and ground phase.
As an instructor, what techniques should I prioritize teaching students?
Teach the simple, most effective tools first so students can defend themselves even if they only train for six months. For example, teach guard holding instead of jump triangle chokes, and front-hand coverage while striking instead of complicated trapping sequences, because simple things make for an effective fighting system.
How does the Traditional-Other Throw work?
The Traditional-Other Throw group encompasses throwing techniques from martial arts traditions outside the primary Japanese judo framework, including throws from sambo, sanda (Chinese kickboxing), and shuai jiao (Chinese wrestling). While the other throw groups in this taxonomy derive predominantly from judo's Kodokan classification, this group recognises that many combat systems independently developed sophisticated throwing methods rooted in their own cultural and competitive contexts.
Where does the Traditional-Other Throw come from?
Each tradition in this group has deep historical roots. Sambo was developed in the 1920s–1930s in the Soviet Union by Vasili Oshchepkov and Viktor Spiridonov, combining judo with indigenous wrestling styles.
Is the Traditional-Other Throw legal in competition?
IJF: banned — Banned since 2010 leg grab prohibition — direct hansoku-make; 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 Traditional-Other Throw?
Danger rating 5/10. High — traditional throws from various arts; risk varies by specific technique
How do I set up the Traditional-Other Throw?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Traditional-Other Throw?
Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration / Stiff-Arm — maintain distance with straight arms to prevent the entry.
What are the variants of the Traditional-Other Throw?
Common variants: Standard technique (primary execution from standard grip and positioning); No-gi adaptation (modified without gi grips for submission grappling or MMA); Combination entry (entering from a failed attack or chain of techniques); Counter throw (applied as a direct counter to the opponent's throw or at…).
How effective is the Traditional-Other Throw in competition?
Traditional throwing arts are represented in international competition through shuai jiao tournaments, sanda competitions, and sambo events under their respective governing bodies.
What are common mistakes when doing the Traditional-Other Throw?
Top errors to watch for: Ignoring the specific grip systems of each art and defaulting to judo grips — each tradition has evolved grips for it… / Not adapting throw entries to the specific uniform or no-gi conditions of the art / Attempting catches and counter-throws from sanda without first mastering basic clinch control / Over-committing to a single traditional system and missing complementary techniques from related arts.
What are other names for the Traditional-Other Throw?
The Traditional-Other Throw is also known as Dentō Nage-waza / Sonota, Traditional throws, Cultural throws, Regional grappling throws.