5 Basic Judo Combinations

Learning a few basic techniques in Judo will open the door to many more. There are multiple combinations, but learning a few basic moves will help you understand the rest.

Judo combinations are simply combining different moves to reach the final result. Learning how to effectively use two moves together to increase your chances of a victory and taking down your opponent.

Here are a few basic combinations to get you started. These are perfect for anyone starting out and even those who only wish to learn a few simple moves.

1.   Ouchi Gari to Osoto Gari

Start with one hand high on your opponent, ideally up on his shoulder area and the other hand lower, around his opposite elbow. Then, the first sweep is the Ouchi, where you kick from the inside and around the back of the opponent’s leg, behind the knee.

Then, when he is off-balance, you move forward slightly, moving your opponent backward. You step forward, causing him to move back. Because you have swept his left foot out, he has no option but to move back.

Once you are in position, you apply Osoto Gari, where you use your same foot to come around and behind the opposite leg that you just did. This way, your opponent is off balance and you can easily take him down to the mat.

The hand position is very important here, allowing you control over your opponent. You can Ouchi Gari several times, in the beginning, to force your opponent backward, and as long as your hands are in place, you retain control.

2.   Kouchi Gari to Turn Throw

Your right foot moves up to sweep his right foot, so the opposite side. This is an inside sweeping movement, where to push his foot out from the inside. Once you sweep his foot back, he has to step back, leaving his right side back.

This leaves you with your right foot and side forward. Your right hand should be on his shoulder, grabbing the material, if there is any. Then, with your left hand, pull at the opponent’s elbow, weakening his grip on you.

You turn, bringing your right hip in to his right hip and you can knock him off balance and bring him down to the mat.

3.   Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi to Harai Goshi

This combination begins similar to the last one. Using the foot and leg techniques, it includes a pulling and lifting combination for an ankle block. The move forces your opponent to step back, leaving him open.

The attack involves you turning your opponent to the right and using your right foot, sweep at his right leg as you turn him. This positions your opponent to be open and allows you to turn yourself slightly, and move your right hip into him and throw him down to the mat.

4.   Ouchi Gari to Tai Otoshi for Right vs Left

For this combination, you want to be in a strong position against your opponent. Your right hand will have a good grip on his left shoulder and your left hand on his right. You can then control his position by pushing back on his shoulder and stepping back.

His left foot will come forward leaving him open and  turned slightly to the right. Then, you use your right foot to sweep inside his left leg. Once you have done the step-through, you step back turning to your left so your back is to your opponent.

You are now in the perfect position to complete the movement and bring him up and over your hip and throw him down to the mat.

5.   Fake Turn to Tani Otoshi to Drop Seoi Nage

This Judo combination is also left side vs right side. Here, you do a fake forward move, where it looks like you are going to sweep your foot across the front. Instead, you swing your right foot back to the left side of your opponent.

This will cause him to move his knees up, expecting the move and then he will have to step back with his left foot. Now you have the ability to move into the Drop Seoi Nage.

Pull his right arm up towards your head and turn into him, so your right shoulder is moving toward him. Your right leg will be forward and your left leg back.

From here you can turn and drop down, back to your opponent. Keep ahold of his arm and keep it in front of you. The other hand still has his gi in place. Now you need to move forward slightly, causing your opponent to rise slightly off the ground and you can complete the takedown much easier.

If you don’t move forward, he may be able to break out and take the advantage. When you have him on the mat, rotate your body so you are over top of him, back to him.

Basics For All

These are the best basic moves to learn and practice. They will allow you to understand all the movements of Judo and practice the individual moves. Learning these combinations will be the groundwork for all the other combinations you may want to learn. These will help with your coordination, ability, strength and strategy.

Please check out our video to watch these basic Judo combinations in action.