Nage-no-kata (forms of throwing) is the reference kata of judo. It shows 15 techniques in 5 sets of 3, each performed to the right and then to the left, and it is a standard part of black belt gradings. How much of it you need depends on your federation. In France, for example, the first three sets are required at 1st dan and the whole kata at 2nd dan.
What the nage-no-kata is for
Jigoro Kano and his students built the nage-no-kata to show the main principles of throwing. Each technique was chosen to represent a family. You are not learning fifteen throws. You are learning fifteen ways to use the opponent's loss of balance.
It is also a great teacher of kuzushi, tsukuri and kake. In randori, poor positioning is often covered up with strength. In kata, it shows immediately. Examiners know this.
The nage-no-kata has a sibling, the katame-no-kata, devoted to groundwork. Together they form what Kano called randori-no-kata, the forms that explain free practice. Our guide to judo kata places both in the full family of Kodokan kata.
The 15 techniques, set by set
| Set | Family | Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Te-waza (hand) | Uki-otoshi, seoi-nage, kata-guruma |
| 2 | Koshi-waza (hip) | Uki-goshi, harai-goshi, tsurikomi-goshi |
| 3 | Ashi-waza (foot and leg) | Okuri-ashi-barai, sasae-tsurikomi-ashi, uchi-mata |
| 4 | Ma-sutemi-waza (rear sacrifice) | Tomoe-nage, ura-nage, sumi-gaeshi |
| 5 | Yoko-sutemi-waza (side sacrifice) | Yoko-gake, yoko-guruma, uki-waza |
Some notes from the mat on each set.
Set 1, te-waza
Uki-otoshi (floating drop) uses no leg contact. Tori throws with the hands, with one knee on the mat. This is the technique where you see most clearly whether the kuzushi is real or faked. The seoi-nage of the kata is an ippon-seoi-nage that answers uke's strike toward the head. Kata-guruma, now banned in competition in its leg-grab form, stays in the kata.
Set 2, koshi-waza
Uki-goshi also starts from a strike by uke. Harai-goshi and tsurikomi-goshi demand very precise hip placement. A classic mistake is tori turning too early and ending up beside uke instead of in front.
Set 3, ashi-waza
This is the timing set. Okuri-ashi-barai is done while moving sideways and punishes any rhythm error. Uchi-mata is done in a circle: uke is drawn into a rotation before the throw. The reap comes when the rotation has already done the work, not before.
Set 4, ma-sutemi-waza
Tori sacrifices straight back. Tomoe-nage answers a push from uke, ura-nage answers a strike, and sumi-gaeshi answers a defensive posture. For uke, this is the most demanding set in terms of forward breakfalls.
Set 5, yoko-sutemi-waza
Side sacrifices. Yoko-gake looks like a sweep that ends on the mat. Yoko-guruma and uki-waza require complete trust between partners.
Tori and uke: both roles are graded
People often assume the kata is about tori. It is not. Uke is graded too, on the accuracy of the attacks and the quality of the falls. Examiners typically look at two things in uke: sincere attacks and controlled breakfalls. In tori they look at effective kuzushi and correct positioning, then control of the throw, posture and distance.
An uke who anticipates the fall or jumps before being off balance costs the pair points. An uke who resists forces tori to muscle the throw and breaks the form. A good uke is committed but available.
That is why you should pick your kata partner carefully. Ideally they match your size and your availability, and they have the same grading date. Switching partners three weeks before the exam is the worst idea possible.
Mistakes that come up at every grading
- Imprecise footwork. The kata starts and ends at set positions. A pair that drifts two meters over a set shows they do not control their steps.
- Sloppy bowing and transitions. Opening, adjusting the judogi, returning to position: all of it is part of the kata. Review the judo bow. The opening zarei, toward the panel and then toward your partner, gives the first impression, and it counts.
- Mechanical rhythm. Each technique has its own breathing. Okuri-ashi-barai is quick, while uki-otoshi has a pause before the throw.
- Neglected left side. Many candidates drill their strong side and discover the left side in the final week. Examiners notice.
How to prepare
Work on the nage-no-kata in three stages. First, memorize it set by set with a reference video from the Kodokan or your federation. Next, work on precision: film yourselves, compare, and fix one detail per session. Finally, run the full sequence in exam conditions in front of a coach playing the panel.
Our advice: start the kata at least six months before your black belt grading and run it at least once a week, even for five minutes at the end of class. Candidates who fail the kata part almost never lack knowledge. They lack repetitions with the same partner.