5 Best NoGi Judo Takedowns/ Throws for BJJ
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Standard Kick Catch·Grappling Education
Keller Locke-Sodhi and Rhys Allan teach FIVE of their favourite Judo takedowns adapted for NoGi grappling/ Brazilian Jiu…
Standard Kick Catch
Genus散打キックキャッチ投げ(Sanda Kikku Kyatchi Nage)
ChineseTranslation: standard kick catch throw
Overview
Standard Kick Catch is the fundamental kick-catch throw in sanda in which the fighter reads the opponent's incoming kick, catches the kicking leg at the shin or ankle, steps in to close distance, and executes a sweep of the opponent's standing leg or a lifting-and-dumping action to bring the opponent to the ground. [1],[2] The technique requires sharp reflexes and the ability to transition instantly from defensive catching to offensive throwing. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The kick catch throw is a signature technique of sanda competition, exploiting the vulnerability created when an opponent commits to a kick by catching the leg and executing a sweep or throw. [1] It is effective because sanda's full-contact rules make kicking attacks common, providing frequent opportunities for the catch. [2]
Lineage
Kick catch techniques were developed within the Chinese sanda competitive system, combining traditional shuai jiao leg-catching methods with modern competition strategy. [1]
Competition Record
Kick catch throws are among the most frequently scored techniques in IWuF Sanda World Championships and Chinese national sanda competitions. [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
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
Videos
3 Easy Judo Throws for Beginners
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Standard Kick Catch·Skyhook Martial Arts & Fitness
Here are 3 throws I would learn right away if you’re doing a martial art in a gi. This would work great for Judo, BJJ, S…
4 Ways to Catch and Counter (Roundhouse Kick)
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Standard Kick Catch·fightTIPS
On my trip to Evolve MMA in Singapore, I had a session with 2x Rajadamnern Muay Thai champion, Kru Day (Palangpol Petchy…
Basic Judo throws and concepts
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Standard Kick Catch·Shintaro Higashi
Judo Basics. Here we cover the basic Judo positions and some basic throws and combinations. Osoto 1:24 Taio 1:30 Kenkay…
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4 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard kick catch is a foundational technique in striking arts, particularly Muay Thai, wherein a defender intercepts an incoming roundhouse kick and immediately counters. According to fightTIPS instructor Shane, who trained with WBA boxing champion Palang Pol Pechin Chi (Crew Day), the first critical element is moving with the incoming kick by stepping to the side, which dissipates power before the catch reaches the ribs. The catch itself must be airtight—held firmly in the armpit or against the body—to prevent the attacker from yanking the leg free and resetting. After catching, the defender creates space by stepping the rear leg backward while maintaining a square stance to the opponent, avoiding excessive body rotation that compromises balance. From this position, fightTIPS documents four primary counters: (1) swinging the caught leg through while springing off the rear calf to land a counter roundhouse kick on the opponent's back, which scores highly in Muay Thai competition; (2) lifting and pushing the caught leg upward to destabilize the opponent's balance, then chasing forward to land a counter kick; (3) performing a front shin sweep by hooking the ankle low while pushing the opponent's head downward and lifting the caught leg; and (4) stepping in with the opposite leg to sweep the support leg while pushing with the opposite hand. fightTIPS emphasizes the three-step maximum rule in Muay Thai—the referee will halt action if the defender takes more than three steps after catching a kick. The instructors note that timing, balance control, and explosive hip drive are essential to executing these counters effectively.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- fightTIPS — 4 Ways to Catch and Counter (Roundhouse Kick): Provided comprehensive breakdown of four kick catch counters taught by Crew Day: swing-through counter kick, lift-and-push off-balance technique, front shin sweep, and opposite-leg sweep. Emphasized footwork (stepping back to create space while maintaining square stance), the importance of an airtight grip, the three-step rule, and the mechanics of each counter including hip drive and timing.
- Skyhorse Martial Arts & Fitness — 3 Easy Judo Throws for Beginners: Covered upper-body judo throws (koshiguruma, ogoshi, seoi nagi) with gi-based grip and off-balancing principles; not directly addressing kick catch but contributing context on how to apply balance-breaking and hip placement in throwing mechanics.
- Shintaro Higashi — Basic Judo throws and concepts: Explained fundamental judo grip control (lapel and sleeve positioning) and stance-dependent throwing concepts (right-side vs. right-side, right-side vs. left-side); provided foundational understanding of posture control and dominant-side preferences relevant to clinch and throw setup.
- Grappling Education — 5 Best NoGi Judo Takedowns/ Throws for BJJ: Demonstrated no-gi adaptations of judo takedowns including off-balancing mechanics, weight distribution control via collar ties, and sweeps (tai toshi, osoto gari, uchimada); emphasized breaking balance before executing the throw and distinguished between gi and no-gi applications of throws.
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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
✓Stand at middle range — close enough that the opponent's roundhouse kick arrives at your midsection
✓As the kick comes, scoop both hands under and around the shin — pull the leg tightly into your body
✓Step forward immediately to close the distance and break the opponent's balance
✓Sweep the opponent's standing leg with your near leg — an inside or outside sweep works
✓As they fall, push forward with your body to ensure they land flat on their back
✓Release the caught leg as they fall and return to your fighting stance
✓Drill catch-and-sweep timing with a partner throwing controlled roundhouse kicks
Common Mistakes
!Standing too far away — you can't catch the kick if it doesn't reach you
!Catching late after the kick has already retracted — catch during the extension phase
!Using only one hand to catch — two hands are needed for a secure grip
!Not stepping forward after catching — you leave the opponent balanced on one leg with time to recover
!Sweeping the wrong leg — sweep the standing leg, not the caught leg
!Falling down while sweeping — maintain your own balance; a controlled step-and-sweep, not a lunge
!Not releasing the leg on the throw — holding it as they fall can twist the knee dangerously
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)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to step to the side when catching a roundhouse kick?
Moving with the kick as you catch it takes the power off the strike, which prevents the kick from breaking your ribs. Palang Pol Pechin Chi emphasizes stepping to the side as you catch the kick into your armpit to absorb the impact safely.
How tight should I hold the leg after catching a kick?
You must hold the caught leg tight and airtight in your armpit. If your grip is loose, the opponent can yank their foot out, create space, and escape the control.
What's the key mistake people make when doing a front shin sweep after catching a kick?
After catching and stepping forward, don't turn your body—step directly toward your opponent while pushing and scooping the support leg out. Keep your lower body strong and don't rotate with them; the goal is to trip them over your leg like schoolyard takedowns.
After catching a kick and lifting to push off balance, what should I do next?
After you lift and push, stay in the fight and chase your opponent down to land your counter. If you push them too hard or stand your ground, you create too much space and won't be able to land an effective follow-up strike.
How does the Standard Kick Catch work?
Standard Kick Catch is the fundamental kick-catch throw in sanda in which the fighter reads the opponent's incoming kick, catches the kicking leg at the shin or ankle, steps in to close distance, and executes a sweep of the opponent's standing leg or a lifting-and-dumping action to bring the opponent to the ground. The technique requires sharp reflexes and the ability to transition instantly from defensive catching to offensive throwing.
Where does the Standard Kick Catch come from?
The standard kick catch has been a core technique in sanda training since the sport was formalised in the 1980s, and remains one of the highest-scoring techniques in modern sanda competition.
Is the Standard Kick Catch 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 Standard Kick Catch?
Danger rating 6/10. High — Sanda/Sanshou throws emphasize speed and catching strikes into throws
How do I set up the Standard Kick Catch?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Standard Kick Catch?
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 Standard Kick Catch?
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 Standard Kick Catch in competition?
Kick catch throws are among the most frequently scored techniques in IWuF Sanda World Championships and Chinese national sanda competitions.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Kick Catch?
Top errors to watch for: Standing too far away — you can't catch the kick if it doesn't reach you / Catching late after the kick has already retracted — catch during the extension phase / Using only one hand to catch — two hands are needed for a secure grip / Not stepping forward after catching — you leave the opponent balanced on one leg with time to recover.
What are other names for the Standard Kick Catch?
The Standard Kick Catch is also known as Sanda Kikku Kyatchi Nage, Classical Kick Catch Throw, Standard Leg Catch Sweep.