Uki waza (浮技) is a judo side sacrifice throw: you break your partner's balance to the front corner, stretch a leg out and drop onto your side. It is one of the 40 throws of the Gokyo no Waza.
- Japanese name: uki waza, 浮技.
- Kodokan classification: yoko-sutemi-waza, a side sacrifice technique.
- Gokyo no Waza: Gokyo, the fifth group.
What does uki waza mean?
Uki Waza (浮技) is classified by the Kodokan as yoko-sutemi-waza, a side sacrifice technique. The Gokyo no Waza listed on judoinfo.com places it in Gokyo, the fifth group, so it is one of the 40 judo throws of the traditional syllabus.
How do you do uki waza?
The Kodokan defines uki waza as a technique to throw down the opponent by breaking his balance toward the frontal-right corner and stretching the left leg to put it on the outside of his right foot while laying down the body onto the left side and rotating him. The steps follow that definition, right-handed as the Kodokan writes it; mirror them for the left.
- Break the balance toward their front right corner.
- Stretch your left leg out and put it on the outside of their right foot.
- Lay your body down onto your left side and rotate them over as you fall.
Learn it with a coach and a partner who can breakfall, on a proper mat, and build speed only once the steps are clean.
Video: KODOKAN official channel
What is the difference between uki waza and yoko otoshi?
Both are side sacrifices with your leg outside their right foot. The Kodokan's yoko otoshi breaks the balance to the side and slides the leg; uki waza breaks it to the front corner and stretches the leg out as you rotate them.
Is uki waza legal in judo competition?
Yes. The IJF Sport and Organisation Rules score a throw only when it is a Kodokan classified technique or a recognised variation, and uki waza is on the Kodokan list, so a clean uki waza 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.
See where it sits among the 40 judo throws. Rash guards and kit for the mat are in our judo training gear.
Sources
- Kodokan defines uki waza, Kodokan Judo Institute
- Gokyo no Waza listed on judoinfo.com, JudoInfo
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation
- IBJJF rules, IBJJF
Related terms
Yoko otoshi, Sacrifice techniques, Gokyo, Throwing techniques.