{"slug":"uchi-mata","name":"Uchi-Mata","aliases":["inner-thigh throw","uchi mata"],"category":"takedown","format":"both","level":"advanced","summary":"A major judo throwing family that turns the opponent forward while the attacker's leg rises between or against the thighs.","overview":["Uchi-mata is classified among judo's hip techniques and has many competition variations. The throw combines upper-body rotation, off-balancing, close hip position, and a rising leg action to send the opponent forward.","In jiu-jitsu and submission grappling, uchi-mata also functions as a reaction to single legs and body locks. Grips, stance, and landing control change between gi, no-gi, and wrestling-influenced contexts."],"keyPrinciples":["Create forward and rotational off-balance before lifting the leg.","Turn the supporting foot and hips into the throwing direction.","Keep upper- and lower-body actions connected.","Follow the landing with control rather than sacrificing top position."],"entries":[{"label":"Collar-and-sleeve","description":"Turn the shoulders and draw the opponent onto the lead leg."},{"label":"Overhook","description":"Use upper-body pressure and head position to rotate from no-gi."},{"label":"Single-leg counter","description":"Balance on the captured leg and rotate the opponent over the attacking thigh line."}],"continuations":[{"label":"Side control","description":"Follow the throw and settle beyond the opponent's knees."},{"label":"Front headlock","description":"Maintain head-and-arm control if the opponent drops to their knees."},{"label":"Back control","description":"Follow behind the hips when the opponent posts and turns away."}],"defenses":[{"label":"Hip distance","description":"Keep your center outside the thrower's loaded hip line."},{"label":"Posture and angle","description":"Square the shoulders and step around the lifting leg."},{"label":"Combination awareness","description":"Expect foot sweeps and inside trips when resisting backward."}],"relatedTechniqueSlugs":["single-leg-takedown","side-control","back-control","wrestle-up"],"athleteSlugs":["owen-livesey","ffion-davies","bekzat-kapashov","haisam-rida"],"rulesetNote":"Scoring and permitted grips vary by promotion and division. Check the current organizer rules before competing.","historyNote":"Uchi-mata is one of Kodokan judo's recognized throwing techniques and remains a major international competition attack.","sources":[{"label":"International Judo Federation technique catalogue","url":"https://judo.ijf.org/","type":"reference"},{"label":"IBJJF rule book and rules resources","url":"https://ibjjf.com/books-videos","type":"rules"},{"label":"ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides","url":"https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules","type":"rules"}],"lastUpdated":"2026-07-25","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/uchi-mata","markdownUrl":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/uchi-mata.md","jsonUrl":"https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/uchi-mata","relatedTechniques":[{"slug":"single-leg-takedown","name":"Single-Leg Takedown","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/single-leg-takedown"},{"slug":"side-control","name":"Side Control","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/side-control"},{"slug":"back-control","name":"Back Control","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/back-control"},{"slug":"wrestle-up","name":"Wrestle-Up","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/wrestle-up"}],"associatedAthletes":[{"slug":"owen-livesey","name":"Owen Livesey","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/owen-livesey"},{"slug":"ffion-davies","name":"Ffion Davies","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/ffion-davies"},{"slug":"bekzat-kapashov","name":"Bekzat Kapashov","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/bekzat-kapashov"},{"slug":"haisam-rida","name":"Haisam Rida","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/haisam-rida"}],"sourceSite":{"name":"Ossmeta","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com"}}