Sukui-nage

掬投 · scooping throw

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Barred in competition

Where this technique is not allowed

Prohibited in competition in its classical form, which scoops uke's legs from behind: the IJF bars any direct attack on the legs with the hands or arms. The technique is unaffected outside contest, and the BJA sets it as a 5th Dan fundamental skill.

Still taught, demonstrated and examined, so it is written up in full here. The restriction above is a contest rule, not a reason to skip it. See the prohibited techniques list.

Demonstrations

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Step by step

The whole movement in words, so no part of it depends on watching a video. Described in the standard right-handed form.

  1. Move past your partner's right side so your chest comes to their side or slightly behind them, releasing the standard grips.
  2. Bend your knees and wrap both arms around their thighs, one arm in front, one behind, palms clasping or pressing flat.
  3. Draw their thighs tight to your chest and lift with your legs, scooping them from the mat.
  4. Turn your hips so their body tips backwards over your arms, their legs rising as their shoulders go back.
  5. Lower them onto their back in front of you, controlling the descent with your arms all the way down: this is a lift and a placement, not a drop.

Receiving it

Arms wrap your thighs from the side or behind and your feet leave the floor: you are scooped, tipped backwards, and for a moment fully carried. There is little you can do mid-air except stay compact and keep your chin tucked. A good partner places you down; as your back arrives, slap with whichever arm is free.

About this technique

Tori steps behind or across uke, scoops both legs or the trunk with the arms, and throws uke backwards without using the lapels.

Key points

  1. Get your hips behind or across uke before you scoop
  2. Scoop at thigh height, lifting with legs and hips
  3. Turn uke over your hip line as you lift

Te-waza (hand techniques) · Gokyo 4th set

In combinations, counters and transitions

None recorded yet. Nobody has written down a counter to Sukui-nage, or a combination it belongs to. You can suggest one.