Sumi gaeshi (隅返) is the judo corner reversal: you fall back, hook the inside of your partner's thigh with your shin and roll them over. BJJ players know the same movement as the butterfly sweep from standing or from the knees.
- Japanese name: sumi gaeshi, 隅返. On the judoinfo.com list of Japanese judo terms, masutemi waza means back sacrifice throws.
- Kodokan classification: ma-sutemi-waza, a rear sacrifice technique. The Gokyo no Waza listed on judoinfo.com places it in Yonkyo, the fourth group.
- In BJJ: the shin-on-thigh lift is the butterfly hook, and a miss leaves you in butterfly guard. Read Judo for BJJ Players for how judo throws carry over.
What is sumi gaeshi in judo?
The Kodokan defines sumi gaeshi as a technique to throw the opponent over the head by breaking his balance forward, drawing his upper body closer while grabbing his lapel or back with the right hand and laying down the body onto the back, and lifting up the inside of his left thigh with the right lower leg.
It is the throw for a partner who crouches and pushes forward with a wide stance.
How do you do sumi gaeshi?
Right-handed, as the Kodokan describes it; mirror for the left.
- Take the grip. Reach over their shoulder and grab the back of the lapel or the back of the jacket with your right hand; keep the sleeve grip with your left.
- Break the balance forward and draw them in. Pull their upper body tight to your chest so their weight comes onto their toes.
- Step in and sit. Place your left foot deep between their feet, then sit down close to it and roll onto your back, pulling them with you.
- Lift the inner thigh. Hook the inside of their left thigh with your right lower leg, shin across the thigh, and lift it up and over.
- Roll them over the head. Pull with both hands toward your left shoulder as the leg lifts, so they travel in a circle over you toward their front corner.
- Follow through. Roll with them and come up on top, into a pin or side control.
The most common mistake is lifting with the leg alone while the hands stay still: the partner posts a hand and you have lost your base for nothing. Hands and leg work together in one circle, and you keep rolling after them so you arrive on top. Our judo training gear covers the kit for throwing practice.
Video: KODOKAN official channel
Which throw is related to sumi gaeshi?
Hikikomi gaeshi: the Kodokan describes the same technique done while grabbing the back of the belt with the right hand. Judoinfo.com files it among the Habukareta Waza, the techniques of the 1895 gokyo restored to the Kodokan list of techniques.
Is sumi gaeshi legal in judo competition?
Yes. The IJF Sport and Organisation Rules score a throw when it is a Kodokan classified technique or a recognised variation, and sumi gaeshi is one, so a clean throw can score yuko, waza-ari or ippon.
In BJJ a throw counts as a takedown: 2 points under the IBJJF rules once your partner lands on the back, side or seat and you hold the top for three seconds.
Sources
- Kodokan defines sumi gaeshi, Kodokan Judo Institute
- Judoinfo.com list of Japanese judo terms, JudoInfo
- Gokyo no Waza listed on judoinfo.com, JudoInfo
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation
- IBJJF rules, IBJJF
Related terms
Tomoe nage (circle throw), Butterfly guard, Sweep, Sacrifice techniques, Off-balancing, Tani otoshi (valley drop).