Sukui-nage 掬投 (Scooping Throw)
Classification: Te-waza (hand technique)
Japanese meaning: Sukui = to scoop, Nage = throw
Type: Arm throw
Technical Description
Sukui-nage is a classic scooping throw, executed by lifting your opponent off the ground using both hands — typically by wrapping around their thighs or scooping underneath the buttocks. The technique breaks uke’s balance directly backwards and results in a controlled backward throw.
While no longer permitted in IJF competitions due to leg-grabbing restrictions, Sukui-nage remains a powerful and effective throw in self-defence, kata, and traditional judo training.
How to Perform
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Kuzushi (balance breaking): Close the distance and drive uke’s balance directly backward.
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Tsukuri (entry): Tori lowers their center of gravity and scoops both arms around uke’s thighs or under the buttocks from the front or side.
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Kake (execution): Using lifting power from the legs and arms, tori lifts uke while applying backward pressure from the upper body (typically the chest), projecting uke cleanly onto their back.
This throw is especially effective against opponents who are leaning forward or attempting a forward throw themselves.
Biomechanical Analysis of Sukui-nage
Sukui-nage operates using a couple (torque) of forces:
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F1 and F2 (Re): The pulling/lifting arms that scoop under uke’s legs.
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F3: The pushing action of the upper body (chest or shoulder) against uke’s upper torso.
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The force couple removes uke’s base (his legs), while simultaneously rotating him backward, resulting in a clean projection.
Because the legs are lifted while the torso is driven backward, uke’s center of gravity is elevated and tipped past the point of stability.
Did You Know?
Sukui-nage is one of several “leg-grabbing” techniques that are now banned in IJF competitions — a decision that has drawn criticism from many judo purists and competitors.
“Modern competitors might never experience the effectiveness of these techniques,” says traditionalists.
Famous leg-grabbing techniques such as:
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Kata-guruma (Shoulder Wheel)
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Morote-gari (Two-hand reap)
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Kibisu-gaeshi (Heel reversal)
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Kuchiki-taoshi (One-hand leg drop)
…are now restricted, despite being included and demonstrated in Kano Jigoro’s own Nage-no-Kata.
The ban was introduced to keep Olympic judo visually distinct from wrestling, but it has come at the cost of excluding a valuable and historic family of throws — including this powerful Sukui-nage.