In Judo Why Do Short People Find It Difficult To Do Uchi Mata The Inner Thigh Throw?

Question

I Am Short Myself And Also A Judoka (Judo Fighter) And I Have Trouble With An Uchi Mata The Inner Thigh Throw I No How To Do the Throw Its The Fact U Need To Be Quite Tall To Do The Throw Is There Any Suggestions Of What I Shuld Do?

Answer 1

Being short(5'8") it can be difficult for me against taller guys as well...

Most likely because your hips dont line up in height to their hips, so you have to give extra effort just to lift them before the finish takes place....

Answer 2

Uchi Mata requires legs.  It is a LEG technique If you are shorter and have shorter legs, you're not going to get this one quickly.

http://www.judoinfo.com/images/animation...

http://www.judoinfo.com/video/gokyo/Uchi... (even though it looks like he's really doing Hane Goshi in this one)

http://www.judoinfo.com/gokyo1.htm

"Uchimata, or inner thigh throw, is classified as a leg technique in the nage-no-kata of Kodokan Judo"

I recommend stepping in closer than you normally do as you off-balance uke to the front or left front corner.  Be sure to pull out and up, at sort of a 45 degree angle in the air.  

This page has a hopping version it links to that may be useful for a shorter person:

http://www.judoinfo.com/quiz0297_1.htm

http://www.judoinfo.com/images/video/san...

Answer 3

Actually, you shouldn't need to be that tall to do it. You need to first break down the opponent. You're not moving into the open space between you two, but are taking his space. To do this properly, displace his balance and step through him to bring him up, the leg will bring him over.

Gambattekudasai.

Answer 4

The shorter you are, the deeper you have to be.

Against someone of your own height it shouldn't be much a problem. Against someone taller, more than likely it is because you are throwing it from too far away and not getting in as deep as you should.

Your leg won't do much of the lifting, your hips will and your leg will help at the end.

Additionally as your instructor about Kenken Uchimata. Most shorter people use this form of a circular type of Uchi Mata as it fits a little better.(It's the name of the hopping version another answer linked to)

Hope that helps!

Answer 5

The height issue only really plays a factor if your Uki is allot taller than you...

The trick to getting the throw right (so that you don't end up leaving your Uki with one foot on the mat as you cause both of you to do the splits while you try to force him over, eventually falling to the side if he goes down a all) is when you turn in you need to thrust your hip into Uki's pelvis as you use your Kesushi ( breaking his posture with your hands) if you pop your hip into him at the same time you pull him into you, it will cause him to come off his feet at which time you thrust your leg back between his and follow through like any other throw. If done correctly you should not feel your leg lifting him at all unlike Hani Goshi where your leg is used in combination with your hip to lift him.

I am 5'6" it isn't a height thing it is technique, practice and work on it in steps until you can put them all together at a fast pace. Uchi Mata is one of the hardest throws to do properly. Also some techniques are just harder for some people to learn or don't come naturally. I have been training for many years and no matter how much I practice it I can't get a consistently decent Ipon seoinege, it is just one technique I am not good at, so I had figured out a way to modify it to work for me. So maybe if you are finding that it doesn't work for you in the traditional technique, play with it and see what makes it easier.

Answer 6

Generally speaking, performing Uchimata against a taller person is hard, but not impossible.  I am 5-11 and use the two step Japanese set up versus the three step most US dojo's teach.

Although this move is the number 1 winning throw in Judo, it is not for everyone.  

Maybe you could work on your combos?  Fake an Uchimata and go for Tai Otoshi instead?

Good Luck.

Judobigdog

Answer 7

Basic physics. If one is short and attempting the throw on someone taller, then the fulcrum is moved higher and the leverage is not as effective.

The greater the height difference between the opponents the less the leverage.  

Remember, you are lifting your opponent off the mat with your leg. If the opponent is taller than you, you won't be able to do that effectively.

You should not use that throw against a taller opponent.

Consider Tai Otoshi or Sode Tsurikomi Goshi or Seoi Otoshi

You want a maneuver which will use your opponents height against him, converting all that potential energy to kinetic energy by pulling him off balance.