Judo technique

Sumi-gaeshi

Pronunciation: soo-mee gah-eh-shee
Meaning: Corner reversal

Recognize the instep inside the thigh that lifts Uke in a rear sacrifice.

Sumi-gaeshi: Tori in white lies back with one foot hooked inside Uke's thigh and lifts Uke in blue over in an arc. — Technique image: Look for where the bodies touch and which way Uke goes in Sumi-gaeshi. The lesson describes the right side; the left side mirrors it.

Understand the technique

is a corner reversal in , the rear sacrifice throws. draws forward, sits down close, and lifts with the instep inside Uke’s thigh while rolling back, turning Uke forward over Tori. The instep inside the thigh distinguishes it from , which uses the sole on the abdomen.

How it works

Step in and set the instep

In the right-sided example, Tori steps the left foot between Uke’s feet and draws Uke forward. Tori places the right instep against the inside of Uke’s left thigh.

Roll back from a close seat

Tori sits close to the supporting left heel and rolls back while the hands and lifting foot guide Uke over Tori. Guide Uke along a rolling path and never drive the head into the mat. The other side mirrors this example.

Common mistakes

Sitting too far away

A distant seat pulls the foot off the thigh, so nothing lifts and the hands end up dragging instead of guiding. Sit right next to the supporting heel.

First learning focus

First notice the distance between Tori’s seat and the supporting heel before the roll. Then watch the instep stay inside the thigh as Uke turns over.