Nage-waza
投げ技
Collective name for all throws in judo and jujutsu. The Kodokan lists 68 of them, divided into standing throws and throws that sacrifice one's own balance.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Nage-waza (投げ技) means “throwing techniques”: nage from the verb nageru, to throw, and waza, technique. In judo, with katame-waza, the immobilization techniques, it forms the core of training and competition. Since April 1, 2017, the Kodokan has listed 68 throws. They divide into tachi-waza, standing throws, and sutemi-waza, throws in which the attacker deliberately falls. Tachi-waza are divided by what mainly performs the throw: the hands (te-waza, 16 techniques), hips (koshi-waza, 10) and legs (ashi-waza, 21). Sutemi-waza has two groups: ma-sutemi-waza, where the attacker falls on the back (5), and yoko-sutemi-waza, on the side (16).
In practice
Throws are practiced in the dojo step by step: first safe falling, ukemi, then entries into the throw without completing it (uchikomi), and finally the whole throw on a partner who can fall. For teaching, the Kodokan arranged the throws into five groups, gokyo no waza. Two throws on the official list are forbidden in competition: kani-basami and kawazu-gake. Each throw consists of three phases: kuzushi, tsukuri and kake.
Relations to other terms
Narrower terms
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.
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.
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.
Sutemi-waza捨て身技Judo throws in which the attacker deliberately falls and pulls the opponent down along. The Kodokan divides them into throws falling on the back (5) and on the side (16).
Equivalent in another art
See also
Combinations in judo: the first technique provokes a reaction in the opponent, which the attacker immediately exploits for a second. The counterpart is counter-throws, kaeshi-waza.
Kumikata組み方The way of gripping the opponent in judo and the fight for a favourable grip. Whoever controls the grip sets the direction of off-balancing and so which throw can be done.
Ukemi受身The art of falling safely, literally “receiving body”. In judo, aikido and jujutsu it is the first skill a beginner learns.
Tsukuri and kake作り / 掛けSecond and third phase of a judo throw: tsukuri is moving into position, kake the execution itself. They are preceded by off-balancing the opponent, kuzushi.
Kuzushi崩しBreaking the opponent's balance. In judo the first of the three phases of a throw, without which the throw rests on brute strength alone and often fails.
Uchikomi打ち込みRepeated practice of entering a throw without completing it, a basic training method of judo. In kendo the same term denotes practice of strikes.