Judo technique

Ura-nage

Pronunciation: oo-rah nah-geh
Meaning: Rear throw

Tell a backward sacrifice apart from Utsuri-goshi’s hip switch.

Ura-nage: Tori is the judoka in white lifting Uke in blue. — Technique image: Tori is the judoka in white lifting Uke in blue. The lesson describes one side; the opposite side mirrors it.

Understand the technique

is a rear throw in , the rear sacrifice throws. After stopping turn-in attack, lifts Uke close and falls backward, guiding Uke over Tori’s shoulder. It can begin with the same lift as , but it finishes with a backward sacrifice instead of a hip transfer.

How it works

Stop the attack and lift close

In this counter example, Tori stops a turn-in attack and ends up close to Uke’s right side. Tori lowers the hips, controls Uke around the waist, and lifts through the legs with chest and hips pressed against Uke.

Fall back, guide over the shoulder

Tori sacrifices backward and guides Uke over Tori’s left shoulder, supporting Uke the whole way. Never spike Uke onto the head or neck, and do not take the fall on your own head. The other side mirrors this example.

Common mistakes

Lifting away from the body

If Uke hangs away from Tori’s chest, Tori loses the support needed to guide the fall and Uke can drop out of control. Keep Uke pressed close from the lift to the landing.

Throwing straight down behind

Driving Uke straight down behind Tori aims the fall at the head and neck. Guide Uke over the shoulder so Uke lands in controlled .

First learning focus

First observe the close lift and the direction over the shoulder. Then compare the finish with Utsuri-goshi: a fall backward means Ura-nage, a change onto the hip means Utsuri-goshi.