Yoko-wakare (side separation) is a side sacrifice throw from the fifth group of the gokyo. Tori throws himself to the mat at a right angle in front of uke, both legs straight across the front of uke's feet, and pulls him over his body. Uke, carried forward, rolls over.
A rare technique, for good reasons
You almost never see yoko-wakare in competition. It commits tori's whole body with no way to recover if it fails. You end up on your back with the opponent above you, which in modern judo often hands him an entry into katame-waza.
Still, it has its place in the gokyo and among the sutemi-waza of nage-waza, because it takes the logic of side sacrifices to its limit. Understanding yoko-wakare helps you understand uki-waza and yoko-otoshi, its more practical cousins.
How to do yoko-wakare (right-handed)
The trigger is an uke who walks forward bent over, or who pushes hard head first. His center of gravity is ahead of his feet. Pull him a little further forward with both hands, hikite on the right sleeve and tsurite on the lapel.
Then throw yourself to your left, across his path. Your body forms a right angle with his. Both your legs pass in front of his feet, straight, and your heels slide past his right foot.
During the fall, the hikite pulls toward the mat behind your head. Uke has nowhere to put a foot, since your body fills all the space in front of him. He goes over you toward your left shoulder.
Tori's fall
This is what puts most judoka off. You land on your left side, not your back, with a clean yoko-ukemi. Your left hand does not slap the mat because it is holding the sleeve. The rotation of the body and a braced core protect you.
Before trying it on a partner, drill side falls with straight legs on a thick mat. Without that base, nobody commits to the fall fully, and a timid yoko-wakare never works.
Common mistakes
- Falling too far from uke. He takes a step back and looks down at you.
- Falling too close, almost under his feet. He trips over you but does not go over.
- Letting go of the hikite. Uke posts his hand and catches himself on all fours.
- Throwing yourself at an uke who is moving backward. The kuzushi has to be forward, or the sacrifice is pointless.
What is it actually good for?
In randori, yoko-wakare stays a surprise weapon against a heavy opponent who pushes while hunched over. It is sometimes used as a counter when uke leans too far into a shoulder throw, such as a failed seoi-nage.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu follows a different logic. Ending up on your back is no disaster, since many players pull guard on purpose. A failed sacrifice costs less, but a successful throw does not end the match either.
Progressive drills
- Side fall alone, legs straight, twenty reps per side.
- Uke on his knees. Tori throws himself across in front of him and pulls him over. Uke falls from a low height.
- Uke standing still, bent forward. Tori throws himself and uke lets himself be carried.
- Uke pushes while walking. Tori picks his moment.
Keep yoko-wakare for technical culture and grading exams. In randori, uki-waza does the same job with less risk, and most judoka end up going back to it.