Uki-waza 浮技

Floating Throw

Classification: Sacrifice Technique (Sutemi-waza) – Sideways (Yoko-sutemi)
Group: Te-waza (hand techniques), Nage-no-Kata final throw

Description

A sacrifice technique in which tori floats uke’s balance forward and slightly to uke’s right front corner. Tori opens the body wide, extends the left foot to block the outside of uke’s right foot, and immediately drops sideways to the left, using both arms to guide uke’s momentum and throw them in an arcing motion over the body.

This throw is often used when uke advances aggressively or overcommits forward, making it ideal as a counter or as a smooth finish to a forward pressure exchange.

Biomechanics of Uki-waza

Uki-waza is primarily a moment-based technique, where a force vector (Re) is extended by using tori’s body as the base. Tori initiates the throw using both arms (F1 and F2), then sacrifices balance by dropping to the side. The outstretched foot on the sleeve-side (left, in a right-handed throw) acts as a barrier to prevent uke from stepping out of the technique.

Additionally, centrifugal force plays a key role—uke is projected in a curved path due to the rotational motion generated by tori’s fall and guiding arms.

Nice to Know

Did you know that the Netherlands won its first ever Nage-no-Kata World Championship title in 2021?
In Lisbon, Portugal, Dutch judoka Erik Faes and Niels Neumann claimed the world title in this highly technical kata competition. They became the first Dutch pair to achieve this feat at a world championship level.

It’s poetic that their kata ended with Uki-waza, the final throw of the Nage-no-Kata. One might wonder if that throw felt like a relief, a release, or simply the final stroke of a near-perfect performance. Regardless—what an incredible accomplishment.