Uchi Mata Redux

[judoka_uk]

Considering the differences that tend to exist in judo between the way a technique is taught and the way it's done in competition, what are the modifications to be made to the "taught" uchi mata that are most useful for competition?

Like so

Ken Ken

Often in a contest or randori situation we can’t replicate the technical perfectly so sometime you will need to make adjustments to complete the throw. With Uchi mata this means doing the famous ‘ken ken’ or hopping to complete the throw.

This is labelled as an O uchi – Uchi mata combo, but is essentially what you need to know for Ken Ken Uchi mata.



The key here is Yamashita’s point about ‘pulling down’ with the sleeve hand its incredibly important to ensure successfully completing a ken ken Uchi mata.

The other key element is to hop in ever decreasing circles.
Hop in an ever tightening spiral whilst driving down with the sleeve hand and driving with the lapel hand to complete the Ken Ken Uchi mata.



With each successive hop bringing your supporting leg closer to uke’s leg remaining on the ground.

[MaverickZ]

Thanks for humoring me. I completely misunderstood that post when I skimmed it at first. That makes a lot of sense.

[Tom .C]

Nice write up. I think another common error is letting tori's right hand/arm straighten out as he is turning into the throw. That ends up pushing uke off tori's chest as much as the head bobble and it pretty much places tori's shoulder in an absolutely ineffective position for completing the throw. Keeping the right arm bent will also help uke from creating that space that he would use to block the throw. As always, nice post J_UK.

[captainbirdseye]

J_ UK, I' m sure you've mentioned before that it's important to keep the sweeping leg straight but on Inoue's uchimata DVD he always throws with a bent leg. Is this something he gets away with because he's Inoue or a different variation? I also notice he mainly steps to the point of the triangle whereas Adams steps off to the outside which is how I was taught it. Which is better?

[judoka_uk]

J_ UK, I' m sure you've mentioned before that it's important to keep the sweeping leg straight but on Inoue's uchimata DVD he always throws with a bent leg. Is this something he gets away with because he's Inoue or a different variation?

You don't always sweep with a straight leg in every instance, especially not in competition. However, I don't know if Inoue has any particular reason for sweeping with a straight leg vs non straight leg, because I've never asked him or heard him speak about it.

I also notice he mainly steps to the point of the triangle whereas Adams steps off to the outside which is how I was taught it. Which is better?

This I do know the answer to, because I asked Neil earlier this year when I was lucky enough to attend a session on Uchi Mata he ran. The answer is that he says you should always step to the top of the triangle. I didn't ask him why he doesn't do this in videos when you watch him do Uchi mata, because, I didn't get a chance and didn't want to seem like a dick.

[captainbirdseye]

This I do know the answer to, because I asked Neil earlier this year when I was lucky enough to attend a session on Uchi Mata he ran. The answer is that he says you should always step to the top of the triangle. I didn't ask him why he doesn't do this in videos when you watch him do Uchi mata, because, I didn't get a chance and didn't want to seem like a dick.

Well it's not bad going having one of the guys I asked about answering. I'm making a real attempt to have an uchimata that isn't a hopping epileptic fit, would anyone recommend DVD' s or books for it? And yes, I have an instructor.

[judoka_uk]

Well it's not bad going having one of the guys I asked about answering. I'm making a real attempt to have an uchimata that isn't a hopping epileptic fit, would anyone recommend DVD' s or books for it? And yes, I have an instructor.

All the good advice from books and dvds I've read/watched over the years I've condensed into the initial post.

So I couldn't recommend a single source. If I could only recommend a few points to take away they would be; the triangle, tsurikomi and chest contact.

If you can get those three the rest will fall into place.

[captainbirdseye]

So I couldn't recommend a single source. If I could only recommend a few points to take away they would be; the triangle, tsurikomi and chest contact.

If you can get those three the rest will fall into place.

Gotcha, I'll work on those.