Kick Catches - Introduction - Catch A
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Kick Catch Throw·CSW Association
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Translation: Sanda kick catch throw
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Overview
Kick Catch Throw is a distinctive subfamily of sanda throws in which the fighter intercepts an incoming kick — typically a roundhouse, side kick, or front kick — catches the kicking leg, and uses the trapped limb as a lever to throw the opponent off balance and to the ground. [1],[2] This technique category is uniquely prominent in sanda, where the combination of full-contact kicking and throwing rules creates frequent opportunities for kick-catching. [2],[3] The thrower may execute a variety of finishes from the caught-kick position, including sweeping the standing leg, lifting and dumping, or rotating the opponent. [3]
History & Origin
Kick-catch throws have been a signature element of sanda competition since the sport's inception, reflecting the traditional Chinese martial arts emphasis on intercepting and controlling an opponent's attacking limbs. [1],[2] The technique category has no direct equivalent in judo or wrestling, making it uniquely characteristic of sanda. [2],[3]
Country of origin· shown in random order
- ChinaSanda, Shuai Jiao
- BrazilMMA
- USAMMA
- ThailandMuay Thai
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Kick catches and subsequent throws are common in sanda competition and are also seen in UFC and Muay Thai events. [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 — Use push-pull timing (kuzushi) to catch the opponent as they step, sweep the support foot in the direction of their movement
From clinch (collar tie) — Push or pull to make the opponent step, sweep the stepping foot at the exact moment it lifts off the mat
Videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Sanda/Sanshou throws emphasize speed and catching strikes into throws
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
✓The kick catch is sanda's signature technique — catch the opponent's roundhouse or front kick and throw them from the single-leg position (Chinese Wushu Association Rules)
✓Catch the kick at the shin or ankle level with both hands — pull the leg into your body to trap it
✓The most common follow-up is sweeping the opponent's standing leg — they're on one foot and can't defend
✓Other options: lift the caught leg and push the opponent backward, or trip the standing leg while pulling the caught leg
✓Kick catches are the highest-percentage throw in sanda competition — they're difficult to defend once the leg is caught
✓Time the catch to the opponent's kick commitment — catch as the kick arrives, not after it lands
✓In MMA, kick catches translate directly and are commonly used against heavy kickers
Common Mistakes
!Reaching for the kick instead of letting it come to you — reaching exposes you to feints and overextension
!Catching with one hand — use both hands to secure the leg firmly
!Holding the caught leg without throwing — the referee will break it, and you waste the opportunity
!Not immediately attacking the standing leg — the window to sweep is short before the opponent hops to safety
!Catching the kick too high (at the knee or thigh) — you want the shin or ankle for leverage
!Not closing the distance after the catch — step in to take away the opponent's balance
!Attempting to catch kicks that are too fast or too close — middle-range roundhouses are the easiest to catch
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to executeLift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping actionCounter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them insteadGrip 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
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese Sanda/Sanshou terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese Sanda/Sanshou terminology
2OtherChinese Martial Arts Terminology (中国武術用語)
Original Chinese martial arts term used in Japanese context
3CitationJapanese Sanda/Sanshou terminology
Katakana transliteration used in Japanese Sanda (散打)
Community
Athletics
Requires
precise timing, ankle coordination, upper body kuzushi ability
Favours
excellent balance and quick reflexes
Key muscles
tibialis anterior, calves, hip rotators, forearms (grip)
Sub-techniques
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Category
Distance
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Kick Catch Throw work?
Kick Catch Throw is a distinctive subfamily of sanda throws in which the fighter intercepts an incoming kick — typically a roundhouse, side kick, or front kick — catches the kicking leg, and uses the trapped limb as a lever to throw the opponent off balance and to the ground. This technique category is uniquely prominent in sanda, where the combination of full-contact kicking and throwing rules creates frequent opportunities for kick-catching.
Where does the Kick Catch Throw come from?
Kick-catch throws have been a signature element of sanda competition since the sport's inception, reflecting the traditional Chinese martial arts emphasis on intercepting and controlling an opponent's attacking limbs. The technique category has no direct equivalent in judo or wrestling, making it uniquely characteristic of sanda.
Is the Kick Catch Throw 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 Kick Catch Throw?
Danger rating 6/10. High — Sanda/Sanshou throws emphasize speed and catching strikes into throws
How do I set up the Kick Catch Throw?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Kick Catch Throw?
Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping action / Counter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them instead / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration.
What are the variants of the Kick Catch Throw?
Common variants: Forward sweep (sweeping the foot in the direction the opponent is stepping); Rear sweep (sweeping the foot backward as the opponent retreats); Combination sweep (chaining sweeps to both feet); Counter sweep (timing the sweep as the opponent initiates their own attack).
How effective is the Kick Catch Throw in competition?
Kick catches and subsequent throws are common in sanda competition and are also seen in UFC and Muay Thai events.
What are common mistakes when doing the Kick Catch Throw?
Top errors to watch for: Reaching for the kick instead of letting it come to you — reaching exposes you to feints and overextension / Catching with one hand — use both hands to secure the leg firmly / Holding the caught leg without throwing — the referee will break it, and you waste the opportunity / Not immediately attacking the standing leg — the window to sweep is short before the opponent hops to safety.
What are other names for the Kick Catch Throw?
The Kick Catch Throw is also known as Sanda Kikku Kyatchi Nage, Jiē Tuǐ Shuāi (接腿摔), Leg Catch Sweep, Kick Catch Slam.