Ura nage (裏投) is a judo counter sacrifice throw: as your partner attacks, you lift their upper body and fall back, throwing them over your shoulder. It is one of the 40 throws of the Gokyo no Waza.
- Japanese name: ura nage, 裏投.
- Kodokan classification: ma-sutemi-waza, a sacrifice technique thrown onto your own back.
- Gokyo no Waza: Gokyo, the fifth group.
What does ura nage mean?
Ura Nage (裏投) is classified by the Kodokan as ma-sutemi-waza, a sacrifice technique thrown onto your own back. On the judoinfo.com list of Japanese judo terms, nage means throw. 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 ura nage?
The Kodokan defines ura nage as a technique to throw the opponent over the shoulder by counteracting the opponent's Nage- waza or other attack and holding and lifting his upper body while laying down the body onto the back.. The steps follow that definition, right-handed as the Kodokan writes it; mirror them for the left.
- Wait for their throw or attack.
- Hold their upper body and lift it.
- Lay your body down onto your back, throwing them over your shoulder.
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 ura nage and yoko guruma?
Both counter an attack by falling with your partner. The Kodokan's yoko guruma slides a leg between theirs and twists down onto your side; ura nage falls straight onto your back over the shoulder.
Is ura nage 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 ura nage is on the Kodokan list, so a clean ura nage can score yuko, waza-ari or ippon.
In BJJ the IBJJF Rules Book bans suplex movements that drive the opponent's head or neck into the ground, and allows a suplex that does not.
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 ura nage, 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
Yoko guruma, Sacrifice techniques, Gokyo, Throwing techniques.