Tachi-waza are the standing techniques of judo, throws done while the thrower stays on their feet, grouped by the part of the body that does the work. Judoinfo.com lists tachi waza as "standing techniques", and the Kodokan groups these throws by the part of the body that does the main work.
- Japanese name: tachi-waza, "standing techniques".
- Kodokan groups: te-waza (hand techniques, 16 throws), koshi-waza (hip techniques, 10) and ashi-waza (foot and leg techniques, 21) in the Kodokan list of techniques.
- Opposite: sutemi-waza, the sacrifice techniques, where the thrower goes to the mat to complete the throw.
What does tachi-waza cover?
All judo throws are nage-waza. The Kodokan splits them into the throws done from standing, tachi-waza, and the throws where the thrower drops to their back or side, sutemi-waza. Tachi-waza is the larger group, with 47 of the 68 throws in the Kodokan list of techniques, and it is where most judoka spend most of their standing practice.
Within tachi-waza, the Kodokan names each group after the body part that does the main work. Te-waza use the hands and arms, such as seoi-nage and tai-otoshi. Koshi-waza load the opponent on the hip, such as o-goshi and harai-goshi. Ashi-waza sweep, reap or block with the foot or leg, such as o-soto-gari, de-ashi-harai and uchi-mata.
How do you train standing techniques?
- Start with ukemi. Nobody can practise standing throws until both partners can fall.
- Learn one throw from each group early: a hand throw, a hip throw and a foot technique. They teach three different kinds of balance breaking.
- Drill with uchi-komi for the entry, nagekomi for the finish.
- Pair throws across groups into combinations: a foot sweep that sets up a hip throw, a hip throw that sets up a hand throw.
- Test them in randori, and keep notes on which group scores for you. That is where your tokui waza will come from.
The most common mistake is collecting throws from every group without finishing any of them. Three throws done well cover more situations than fifteen done badly.
Standing work means grip work. Our judo training gear is rash guards made for people who train; wear one under the gi on drilling days.
How many throws does the IJF list?
The IJF Sport and Organisation Rules translate tachi-waza as "standing throw" and list 68 nage-waza by name, each linked to its official Kodokan video.
Sources
- Judoinfo.com lists tachi waza, JudoInfo
- Kodokan list of techniques, Kodokan Judo Institute
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation
Related terms
Throwing techniques (nage-waza), Hand techniques (te-waza), Hip techniques (koshi-waza), Foot and leg techniques (ashi-waza), Sacrifice techniques (sutemi-waza).