Do you know Tadahiro Nomura? If no, then you ought to know that this is the only Judoka to have won three Olympic titles. Just in case you’re a Judo beginner and looking to dominate your challengers with magnificent techniques like Nomura did, keep on reading. You’ll get to know the best Judo takedowns.
If you have it in mind that you would like to become a serious judoka, great technique is necessary. Besides, it doesn’t matter how strong you are. You ought to be acquainted with the Judo basics appropriately, and this begins from the fundamental throws.
Judo brings together strength, power, and technique. You might be the strongest man, doing 30 bench press reiterations with 300 pounds. However, if your challenger is quicker, with a better technique, then be certain you’ll emerge the loser. As you go through the various Judo takedowns described below, there are two things you should bear in mind.
The term Tori’ refers to the person performing the take-down, whereas uke’ is the person being taken down. Having that in mind, here is a breakdown of some of the easiest judo takedowns you can start using right away:
Uki Goshi
The Uki goshi judo takedown is also referred to as floating tip. Uki goshi is a takedown commonly employed in Judo contests. To execute the takedown, the Tori who is the person throwing will pull the uke up and forward. This puts the person being thrown (uke) off balance.
Tori puts the other round their back while turning so as to make the side of their hip in contact with the uke then pulling around the uke’s arm. After that, Tori twists and turns uke around using his hip and back as hinge.
You can utilize this takedown as a brilliant way to beat an opponent who is still and often relies on strength rather than speediness and technique. Never give your back entirely or else you’ll be countered. Slide sideways and allow you, challenger, to slide above your hip.
Related: Judo vs BJJ: What are the differences & Similarities
O-Soto Gari
Also known as Osoto Gari, O-Soto Gari falls amongst the first judo techniques to be invented. Just like the Uki Goshi, it’s a superb means through which you can take down a harder and heavier challenger. Ensure you step forward, take your right leg behind your opponent (uke), then rotate it anticlockwise. Make sure you do this very fast, or else you can be countered.
Also referred to as the large or main reap, this judo technique requires speedy timing and manipulation. Osoto Gari is a simple but effective technique you can use to crush opponents over and over again. It works best if you have a lower center of gravity.
Tsuri Goshi
In case you would like to know what you must be skilled at as a beginner judoka, then you’ll certainly have to be taught the Tsuri Goshi once floating tip is done appropriately. The Tsuri Goshi technique is also referred to as lifting hip.
From its name ‘lifting hip’ it’s just the opposite of Uki Goshi. With Tsuri Goshi, you ought to lift your opponent (uke) on your back then toss him on the ground. It’s simpler grabbing your opponent’s belt over, as you stretch your right hand over uke’s left shoulder. By doing this you lower the chances of getting countered.
Ouchi Gari
Ouchi Gari, also called great inner reap makes a string and controlling takedown. This one of the simplest ways you can take down your challenger and end up in their guard. Even though, it might seem a hard one first sight, it counts as an efficient takedown if you have a taller uke.
Take a step to one side towards your challenger. Do it quickly then put your right leg behind uke’s left leg, bring him down. In the Ouchi Gari technique, you can use hooking motion instead of reaping motion. On the other hand, you can easily be countered through ashi barai if the uke expects you. Once more, here, forward momentum will benefit you for a fruitful execution.
Related: Judo vs Karate: Similarities & Differences
Ippon Seoi Nage
The Ippon Seoi Nage technique is also called single back throw. It makes a wonderful skill you can utilize to defeat your opponent very first. Being a special part of the Judo takedown basics for beginners, you can become skilled at it during your first training spells.
Besides, you’d also be happy to learn that this particular skill has brought many judokas numerous victories. One good example is An Baul who rose to prominence as a judoka owing to his tactical fighting style and versatile Ippon Seoi Nage. For your information, he is a former world champion.
In Ippon Seoi Nage, one of your hands stays gripping as the other one goes beneath the duke’s armpit. To boost the strength of the grip, you can push your biceps into your challenger’s armpit. As you do that, rotate, uke’s right shoulder from left to right. With this judo skill, you must ensure you’re not far away from your challenger. As well, you ought to control uke’s right hand using your two hands to avert counters.
Kubi Nage
Also referred to as neck throw, the Kubi Nage is one of the simplest judo takedowns you can utilize to beat your challenger. The technique works best if you have longer arms, and also very effective if your opponents is shorter and smaller.
Make the first move as you make contact with uke’s neck swiftly. Then again, you must ensure you swiftly maintain a sporty semi-short posture or else uke will slip away, most especially the instant you’re attempting to lift him up. To sum up, make sure your hip is beneath his hip so you don’t get countered easily.
Koshi Guruma
Also amongst the simplest judo takedown to learn, Koshi Guruma or hip wheel is the most efficient if your uke is much smaller than you. Take your right hand behind uke’s neck. Afterward, ensure you keep his neck tight as this will weaken the blood flow into his brain making him unable to defend. Also, when grabbing his neck, you can exert more pressure by closing your armpits towards his chin.
As soon as you get to grips with these judo takedowns be certain to persist in training. Don’t forget practice makes perfect. Even Tadahiro Nomura and An Baul were once beginners but with consistent practice, they later became world champions. Perhaps one day, you can become a judoka champion too!
