Hane-makikomi (springing wraparound throw) is a sacrifice throw from the fourth group of the gokyo. Tori starts a hane-goshi and releases the lapel. The freed arm wraps around uke's arm, and tori falls, rolling uke over too. The weight of both bodies finishes the job. It is a favorite of heavy judoka and of late-match moments when someone is trying to force a score.
A hane-goshi that wraps
Everything starts from hane-goshi: same entry, same bent leg lifting the inside of uke's leg. The difference comes at kake (the execution). Instead of holding the lapel, tori's right hand (for a right-hander) lets go and passes over uke's right arm. Tori turns the whole body inward, wraps up in uke's arm pinned tight to the chest, and falls.
The Kodokan files it under yoko-sutemi-waza, side sacrifice throws, because tori ends up on the mat. It belongs to the fourth group of the gokyo. Its close relative soto-makikomi wraps the same way but without the spring of the leg. Both appear in our overview of nage-waza.
The job of the hikite
Throughout the throw, the hikite (left hand on the sleeve) does not give an inch. It keeps uke's right arm clamped to your chest. If that sleeve slips, uke posts a hand on the mat and saves the fall. If it holds, uke has no free arm on that side and has to follow the rotation.
Drill this detail on its own. Uke pulls on the sleeve while tori turns and keeps it tight against the ribs.
How to do hane-makikomi
- Kuzushi to uke's right front corner, as for hane-goshi. Breaking balance is still the first condition.
- Turning entry, right hip in contact, right leg bent against the inside of uke's right leg.
- The right hand releases the lapel and passes over uke's right arm, which ends up under your armpit.
- Tori turns the head and shoulders left, toward the mat, keeping the sleeve tight.
- The leg lifts and the body wraps, and both judoka go down together. Tori lands on the side, uke on the back.
The head leads the rotation. Look behind your left shoulder, not in front of you.
Safety first
Hane-makikomi puts a lot of weight on uke at landing. Tori should fall beside uke, on tori's own side, not crash full weight onto uke's chest. In training with lighter partners, scale it back.
For tori, the danger is diving head first toward the mat. That action is penalized in IJF competition and it puts the neck at risk. The head turns and the shoulder lands, never the top of the skull.
Many coaches do not teach makikomi to children and beginners at all. That is a sensible choice, because without solid breakfalls and a good hane-goshi the technique causes more damage than scores.
Common mistakes
- Letting go with both hands. Uke is free and tori falls alone.
- Wrapping without lifting the leg. You get a heap on the mat, which referees rarely score.
- Using makikomi to hide a lack of kuzushi. It works against weaker opponents and never against stronger ones.
Counters and risks
When uke feels the wrap starting, uke can pull the hips back, let tori fall alone and follow to the ground. Uke can also block with the free leg and reverse the momentum. A failed makikomi leaves tori face down or on the side with the opponent behind. It is a calculated risk.
When to use it
Late in a match, against a tired opponent who will not release the grip, or in any exchange where a standard attack will not get through. Hane-makikomi also follows on from a blocked hane-goshi: uke resists with the hip and tori keeps rotating into the wrap. Against an opponent who defends by backing off, it works poorly because there is no weight to take. For more ways to chain from hip throws, see harai-goshi.
Progress from kneeling to standing
Start on your knees: tori and uke kneel side by side and tori wraps the arm and rolls. Next, standing without the leg action, with uke letting themselves be taken. Last, the full form on a crash mat. The rule to keep: do not move to the next step until the sleeve stays held on every single rep. That detail is the difference between a clean makikomi and an accident on the mat.