Koshi-waza are the judo hip techniques, throws where the thrower loads the opponent onto the hip and rotates them over it, ten on the Kodokan list. Judoinfo.com lists koshi waza as "hip techniques", and the Kodokan list of techniques names ten of them.
- Japanese name: koshi-waza, "hip techniques". Koshi means hip.
- Kodokan classification: one of the three groups of standing throws, alongside te-waza and ashi-waza.
- In BJJ: o goshi is the hip throw most BJJ clubs teach first, and the same hip movement turns up in takedowns from the body lock.
What are the 10 hip techniques?
The Kodokan list of techniques names: Uki-goshi, O-goshi, Koshi-guruma, Tsurikomi-goshi, Sode-tsurikomi-goshi, Harai-goshi, Tsuri-goshi, Hane-goshi, Utsuri-goshi, Ushiro-goshi.
Most of them share one definition. The Kodokan describes o-goshi, tsurikomi-goshi, sode-tsurikomi-goshi and tsuri-goshi all as techniques to load the opponent onto the back of the hip and throw them down by breaking their balance forward; what changes is the grip and the lift. Harai-goshi sweeps the opponent up with the leg as well as the hip, and hane-goshi springs them up with the hip and the leg. Utsuri-goshi and ushiro-goshi are counters, defined as throwing the opponent by counteracting their own throwing attempt.
How do you train hip techniques?
- Learn o-goshi first. It is the plainest version of the hip throw and the one most other koshi-waza build on.
- Pull the opponent onto your toes before you turn in. The lifting hand and pulling hand do their job first.
- Turn in low. Your hips must be lower than your partner's for the load to happen; bend the knees, keep the back straight.
- Make contact across the whole hip and lower back. A gap between your hip and their body means a lift instead of a throw.
- Rotate and pull through with the sleeve hand, keeping the grip to the mat.
The most common mistake is turning in with straight legs, so the hips end up level with or above the partner's. From there the throw is a back lift and will fail against anyone heavier.
Hip throws need repetition and a partner who can fall. Our judo training gear is rash guards made for people who train; wear one under the gi on drilling days.
Video: KODOKAN official channel
Are hip techniques legal in judo?
Yes. The IJF Sport and Organisation Rules translate koshi-waza as "hip throw". One safety rule applies to throws such as harai goshi and tsuri goshi: diving forward head first onto the mat while throwing is hansoku-make.
Sources
- Judoinfo.com lists koshi waza, JudoInfo
- Kodokan list of techniques, Kodokan Judo Institute
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation
Related terms
O goshi (hip throw), Harai goshi (sweeping hip throw), Tsurikomi goshi (lifting pulling hip), Standing techniques (tachi-waza), Throwing techniques (nage-waza).