09. Uchi-mata 内股

Inner Thigh Reap

Classification: Ashi-waza (leg technique)
Japanese meaning:

Uchi-mata is one of the most iconic and elegant throws in judo, commonly used in both traditional kata and modern competition.

To perform Uchi-mata:

Begin by opening your opponent’s stance slightly to create space between their feet.
Break their balance (kuzushi) forward or toward their front-right corner, causing uke to lean forward.
Tori rotates to the left and sweeps the inside of uke’s right thigh using the back of tori’s own right thigh.
The sweeping action is performed from the inside-out, lifting uke’s leg off the tatami and causing a dynamic forward fall.

This throw can be executed with great variation depending on body type and preference. Some perform it more upright, others use a deep hip entry.

This technique functions through a couple:

Re (arms) pull uke’s upper body forward and down, shifting uke’s centre of mass.
F3 (tori’s leg) reaps the inside of uke’s thigh from underneath, typically the inner right thigh, in a sweeping arc.
The simultaneous opposing forces create rotational torque, unbalancing uke and throwing them forward and over.

The contact point can vary:

This dual nature makes Uchi-mata a hybrid technique and a favourite among both light and heavy weight judoka.

Uchi-mata can be classified as either a hip throw or a leg throw, depending on how deep tori rotates during the entry. If uke rests more on the hip, it’s considered a hip throw. If the lift comes more from the leg, it’s a leg throw.
Anton Geesink, the first non-Japanese judoka to win a world championship (1961), was renowned for his powerful Uchi-mata. His tall build and long limbs gave him a natural advantage in this throw.
Many tall judoka favour Uchi-mata due to their reach and the leverage they can generate, but it’s also highly effective for agile, technical fighters who rely on timing and precision.