Koshi-waza
腰技
A group of judo throws in which the attacker's hips serve as the support and axis of the throw. The Kodokan lists ten techniques in it, for example o-goshi.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Koshi-waza (腰技) means “hip techniques”: koshi are the hips and loins, waza is technique. In judo it is a group of standing throws (tachi-waza) in which the attacker sets the hips under the opponent's centre of gravity and throws the opponent over them. The Kodokan places ten techniques in koshi-waza: uki-goshi, o-goshi, koshi-guruma, tsurikomi-goshi, sode-tsurikomi-goshi, harai-goshi, tsuri-goshi, hane-goshi, utsuri-goshi and ushiro-goshi. O-goshi, the major hip throw, is one of the first throws beginners learn in judo. In harai-goshi and hane-goshi, a leg action is added to the hips, sweeping the opponent or flicking them upward.
In practice
Hip throws demand a deep entry: the attacker turns their back to the opponent and the hips must get lower and deeper than the opponent's centre of gravity. That is why they are a good way to learn the relationship between kuzushi and tsukuri. When the entry is shallow, the throw stops against the opponent's hip.
Relations to other terms
Often confused with
See also
A group of judo throws in which the arms and shoulders mainly carry the throw. The Kodokan lists 16 techniques in it, among them seoi-nage and tai-otoshi.
Ashi-waza足技The largest group of judo throws: throws, foot sweeps and leg reaps. The Kodokan lists 21 techniques in it, from de-ashi-harai to uchi-mata.
Koshi no kaiten腰の回転Hip rotation, the source of the power of strikes, kicks and throws. In karate it is practised in every basic technique.