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.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Uchikomi (打ち込み) is made up of the verb utsu, to strike, and komu, to penetrate. In judo it thus means repeated entry into a throw: the practitioner keeps unbalancing the partner, turns and steps into position, but does not complete the throw. This trains the first two phases of a throw, kuzushi and tsukuri, and takes the movement up to the point of kake. The partner stands and does not fall, so it can be repeated quickly in series of dozens. The whole throw with the partner's fall is practised separately as nage-komi. In English texts it is often written uchi-komi and translated as turning-in, i.e. “turning oneself” into a throw.
Common mistakes and confusions
In kendo, the word uchikomi, or the whole term uchikomi-geiko, denotes something different: quick practice of strikes at open targets that the partner deliberately offers. The root is the same, utsu means to strike, but in judo it is an entry into a throw, not a strike.
Relations to other terms
See also
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.
Randori乱取りFree practice in judo, aikido, jujutsu and some karate styles. Partners try techniques against real resistance, but without aiming to win.
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.