Ushiro Goshi
Takedown · Standing
A counter to their hip throw that takes you from the underhook clinch to a top position. The moment is when they turn their back to you to throw. Block the turn: bend your knees into the hollows behind theirs and thrust your hips forward into theirs, dropping below their hips and wrapping their waist deep from behind. Straighten the knees and bend back so their feet leave the mat and their legs swing up, only just off the mat, then step back and set them down on their back in front of you. Low hips pushed forward are what let you lift from under their center. If they step out of the lift, take the back. Slams are banned: put them down under control.
How to do it
- Feel them turn in for a hip throw and block the turn with your hips: bend your knees into the hollows behind their knees and thrust your hips forward into theirs.
- Drop your hips below theirs and wrap their waist from behind, holding deep, the front of your hip pressed against the back of theirs.
- Lift them with your hips and legs: straighten the knees and bend back, so their feet leave the mat and their legs swing up. Lift just off the mat, not high.
- Step back and turn them down in front of you onto their back; set them down, never slam them.
Key details
- A counter: it waits for their hip throw and uses it. Block at the moment they turn their back.
- Hips low and forward, the front of your hip thrust against the back of theirs and the arms deep around the waist, so you lift from under their center.
- Bend your knees into the hollows behind their knees: it kills the spring of their throw.
- Straighten the knees and bend back to swing their legs up, then step back and set them down in front of you.
- Set them down on their back, never slam them.
Common mistakes
- Leaning back without lowering the hips. — You cannot lift them, and they finish the throw. — Bend the knees and pop the hips forward.
- Lifting too high. — It becomes a slam and a danger. — Lift just off the mat and turn them down.
- Late reaction. — Their hip is already under yours and their throw has started. — Block at the moment they turn their back.
If they defend
- They grab your head. → Keep the head tight to their back and continue.
How to drill it
The partner turns in slowly for a hip throw, you block, lift a few centimetres and set down, 10 reps.
Safety
Slams are banned: a lifted opponent must be put down under control.