Five Can’t Miss Judo Throws
These five Judo throws are fairly simple to execute and are not dependent on a Judo gi for proper execution. A throw can often devastate an attacker and take the fight right out of them.
1) Osoto gari (Major Outer Reaping Throw) -Don’t neglect this throw because it seems very basic. Olympic Gold Medals have been won with it. The key to executing the throw is getting them off balanced onto the leg you are going to sweep out. Without the gi, establish wrist control and pull the arm down and push back slightly. All their weight will be placed on the leg.
Dr. Kano and Kyuzo Mifune Training from the Public Domain
2) O goshi (Major Hip Throw) – This throw is great for throwing a much heavier opponent. Without the gi, you pull the opponent towards you, hug around his back with your arm, slide the hip across his body, load them up on your hip and flip him or her to the ground.
3) Seoi Nage (Shoulder Throw) – This throw is a good defense against someone grabbing you from behind. Drop your hips, grab the arm and bow to an imaginary person in front of you. The attacker will get his frequent flier miles in.
4) Uchi Mata (Inner Thigh Throw) – This throw can be devastating to an attacker. Like the Osoto Gari, you have wrist control on one arm and your arm around the collar of the attacker. Jam the forearm into the chest, turn and sweep the leg from inside the thigh.
Zimmerman Self-Defense System Logo
5) Soto Makikomi (Outer Winding Throw) – This throw was my instructor’s favorite. If you wind it properly, it is almost impossible to block. The key detail is to make sure the attacker is pulled tightly to you. You should not be able to slide a piece of paper between the two of us.
These five judo throws would make a great arsenal of throws to protect you in a self-defense situation. Remember not to get to fancy. Simpler is better.
