How to do Uchi Mata

Uchi Mata is another Judo throw. It is a turn throw where you throw your opponent over your thigh. It is achieved by getting into position with your foot techniques. This throw is not a particularly easy throw to do, but it is a very popular one with competitors.

Performing the Uchi Mata requires you to be in an ideal position to complete it. Trying to go into this move without being in position or setting yourself up to be in position can cause you to lose.

Here are the basic steps and requirements to do Uchi Mata

Position

The first step to performing Uchi Mata is being in the right position. If you are not in the right position, do not even consider trying it.

What does it mean to be in a good position? If you have right versus right dominant position or right versus left dominant, then you are in a proper position.

Going into Uchi Mata

You want to have a secure hold on your opponent. That is a collar and sleeve hold, placing you in a dominant position. You have control over his posture and his arm.

Once you are sure you are in a dominant position, you now have to decide the best way to go into Uchi Mata.

One way is to go directly into it. This means you are in a position to enter into the throw and complete it.

You also have the choice to set up your attack. The three different set-ups mentioned later in our video are:

●       Snap down

●       Fake

●       Creating an angle

You can also use a combination of moves, if you are more comfortable doing that, to make sure you are in a better position to complete the take-down.

Entry

While you will find several different methods of going in to the entry of Uchi Mata, there are primarily three basic methods.

One-Step Uchi Mata

This method uses the momentum from your back leg. Your hands are pulling your opponent toward you. It allows you to make one turn and go in to the move. Just one step, turn and throw.

Two-Step Uchi Mata

This is often referred to as the stab-step. This method works very well in a right versus left position. Your right foot goes between your opponent’s feet and lands next to his left foot.

With your right foot securing his left, you then you can bring your foot in toward your opponent, allowing you to turn and bring him up and over your right hip.

Three-Step Uchi Mata

The three-step method is a traditional move. This involves you taking three quick steps to get into position.

The first brings you in closer to your opponent and allows you to start turning into the move. Your right foot comes in and in front of your opponent, facing to your left. This gives you space to turn in.

The second step brings your left foot back and next to your opponent’s left foot and brings your torso closer and enables you to complete the turn.

The third step brings your right foot back and between your opponent’s feet. You are now in the perfect position to continue through and pull him up and over your hip and complete the throw-down to the mat.

Finish

The three different entry methods above are all lifting finishes. Lifting finishes are when you have your opponent behind you and you pull his arm and lift with your back and back leg to finish the throw.

However, if your opponent has on leg down, you need to change tactics. Here, you will need to first, pull his arm across toward you and push his head down. This will cause your opponent's left leg to go up.

From here, you can now use his raised leg to complete the move and take him down to the mat. It’s not the most optimal position for you to be in, and will require your entire body weight to get him down.

You will rotate him around and in a spiral motion, take him down. Your right leg is pushing up against his left leg, that is raised and you need to really work to get him down to the mat.

Other Options

With your opponent’s leg down, if you are unable to bring his head down, you will not have the control you need. Here, you will need to change directions. You will need to continue in the direction you are facing, rather than twisting him in the other direction. You continue forward.

The other method is to turn your opponent back in the other direction. That is, to his left. You have his left leg raised, so from here to rotate him back toward his left. It’s rotating him to the side of his weak leg, so you will be able to overpower him and complete the take-down.

Uchi Mata

Performing Uchi Mata starts with you being in the best position. If you are not, you need to find a way to get there. We have a detailed video here with Professor Shintaro, giving you step-by-step directions on how to do Uchi Mata.

There are also alternatives for getting around being countered by your opponent. Check out our chart and diagram for the best possible outcome.