Uki-otoshi (floating drop) is a hand technique from the fourth group of the gokyo and the first throw of the nage-no-kata. Tori steps back, drops to one knee and draws uke forward in a wide circle. Uke falls without his legs ever being touched.
The purest throw in the gokyo
No hip, no sweep. Uki-otoshi is classed among the te-waza of nage-waza, and it may be the clearest illustration of kuzushi, tsukuri and kake. If the off-balance is wrong, nothing happens. No amount of strength makes up for it.
That is why the nage-no-kata starts with it. Before showing more spectacular throws, the kata shows that you can drop someone with your hands and your positioning alone.
How to do uki-otoshi (right side)
Uke moves toward you, either because he is pushing or because you invite him with a light pull. You step back in tsugi-ashi, left foot behind, keeping the distance. You go with him and do not resist.
On the third step, you take your left foot further back and drop your left knee to the mat, toes curled under. Your right foot stays in front, slightly turned out.
As you go down, the hikite pulls uke's right sleeve down and back to your left in an arc. The tsurite pushes the lapel in the same direction. Uke is already moving and cannot get a foot in front. He rolls over his front right corner.
The feeling you want is this: you are not pulling uke, you are extending his movement. Your hands trace a wheel, not a straight line.
What most beginners get wrong
- Pulling down too early. Uke is still on his heels and steps back.
- Dropping the knee too close to uke. There is no room left for him to fall.
- Pulling with the arms only. The speed comes from lowering your body.
- Looking at their feet. The eyes should follow the direction of the fall.
Uki-otoshi vs tai-otoshi vs sumi-otoshi
| Direction | Leg contact | Tori's position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uki-otoshi | Uke's front right | None | One knee down |
| Tai-otoshi | Front right | Leg blocks in front of the ankle | Standing |
| Sumi-otoshi | Rear right | None | Standing |
These three are worth learning together. Tai-otoshi reassures beginners because the leg "helps". Uki-otoshi takes that crutch away.
When to use it in randori
Uki-otoshi becomes possible against someone who pushes, walking straight at you with a tight grip. The harder he pushes, the faster he falls. Against a static opponent who stays low on his legs, forget it. There is no momentum to borrow.
In opposite grips (right-hander against left-hander), the circle gets shorter. It feels more natural in ai-yotsu, when both judoka grip on the same side.
It rarely scores ippon, because uke often lands on his side instead of his back. For the exact scoring criteria, see our guide to ippon and waza-ari scoring rules.
Drills
- Walking in pairs. Uke pushes, tori steps back in tsugi-ashi, no throw. Aim for a steady rhythm.
- Same walk, and on a signal tori drops the knee and draws the circle with the hands. Uke goes with it into a rolling forward breakfall.
- Uke chooses when to speed up. Tori has to feel the acceleration and go with it.
The third drill is the hardest and the most useful. It teaches you to read an opponent's momentum, a skill that carries over to seoi-nage and tai-otoshi. Teach it early, well before it ever works in randori. Few techniques teach off-balancing as well.