HIZA GURUMA BASICS A Classic Judo Throw Explained

[@me2bfc]

Excellent. This throw has been a mystery to me for years. I just couldn’t get it to work. I think I know what I was doing wrong by standing too much in front and getting in my own way.

[@welcomematstevescott]

Glad it helped!

[@grave7948]

This is one of the best breakdowns of hiza guruma I’ve seen online, excellent!

[@welcomematstevescott]

Thank you!

[@bigmo931]

This is one of high percentage throws. It took me a while to really figure it out but once I did, I was hooked

[@welcomematstevescott]

You're right. It does take some work, but is a solid technique.

[@dankim1047]

FANTASTIC!

[@welcomematstevescott]

Many thanks!

[@rexhamilton6381]

Nice description. I have this on my next belt test. Thanks .

[@welcomematstevescott]

Good luck on your test Rex.

[@JoJoKenn94]

Very cool video! Hiza Guruma is definitely a weak spot for me, so thanks for the details! Much appreciated 🙏🥋

[@welcomematstevescott]

Glad it was helpful!

[@artemisgruis1528]

As usual before the fulcrum is made with the foot on the knee or a little bit above, the most important thing to master is the force which is going to be creating the momentum for the fulcrum to make the opponent fall. Basically the most important part is developing the timing and technique for the kuzushi. This demonstration since it is beautiful, textbook-like, and perfect. I wonder if there's any exercises aside from drilling with an opponent in order to develop the strength for the main kusushi techniques. Do you happen to know what are the main kuzushi techniques? Oh if you make a video covering that I'll be amazing.

[@daddimack]

Oh man I remember first seeing him as a brown belt being uke out at a MO seminar. Glad to he’s black belt now.

[@welcomematstevescott]

👍

[@professorteacher3679]

From Brasil: The importance of placing the hallux in the fold of the knee remained to be emphasized. This will serve as a stop for an opponent's escape attempt.

[@welcomematstevescott]

Good point. Thanks!

[@anoniem7062]

Love the explanation. When I execute this throw I find that I lose a lot of power. Now I realise that's because I don't turn my right foot like you do. Thanks a lot! Oh by the way, the same goes for my sasae tsuri komi ashi, I'm sure. 😁

[@welcomematstevescott]

Glad to help!

[@pelejahosoba5280]

My best techniques so far,followed by tai otoshi

[@welcomematstevescott]

👍

[@mattbrook8740]

Love this throw, apart from foot placement is there much difference with Sasae? My attempts at these throws seem to end up blending the two of them together. What are the situations you'd use to pick which one to use?

[@welcomematstevescott]

Good point. There is little difference between Hiza Guruma and Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi and the foot placement except for the foot placement. As far as the situations to apply either throw, Hiza Guruma often comes from out of a situation where this is quite a bit of space between tori and uke and this allows tori to move more freely win this Taisabaki action. We have a video on "close space" or "close hips" Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi on our channel as well and this might be helpful to you. Look in our playlists for "Ashi Waza."

[@simbabwe2907]

@@welcomematstevescott Thats absolutely not true.The difference betwenn the guruma action and the tsurikomi action is paramount.The tsurite in Hizaguruma does a punching movement while the tsurite in Sasea has a lifting action.This is absolutly importent.its like turning a wheel in sasea and giving someone a hookpunch in Hiza.

[@mattbrook8740]

@@simbabwe2907 Thanks for that man, I'm gonna try those two actions next time I'm at training.

[@marcelomaekawa177]

Cool

[@welcomematstevescott]

👍

[@counterhit121]

Do you guys prefer hiza guruma towards the sleeve-grip? I ask because I learned the technique as basically a sasae, but with my foot making contact higher on uke's leg than sasae (and I mainly sasae towards my collar grip hand). Anyways, great video thanks for the content!

[@welcomematstevescott]

Either way works and both are effective.

[@CALAdminWaffle]

I had a teammate hyper extend his knee taking a hiza guruma, ever since then I’m relatively new also so I’m afraid to do this move. Is there a specific way to avoid injuring uke like that? I tend to go for sasae because it aims for the ankle and avoid doing tai otoshi.

[@welcomematstevescott]

It's unfortunate that your teammate was injured. Just as a guess, the person applying the technique did it incorrectly. Actually, how we present Hiza Guruma in this video is what I recommend as the safest way to apply it. Best wishes.

[@cameronforbes2649]

I'm sure many of you may know this, but Islam Makchachev does a BEAUTIFUL example of this trip against Arman Tsarukyan, obviously in the UFC without the gi.

[@jenpachi2408]

Love hiza garuma it almost looks effortless and mythic like something from a kung fu movie lol

[@welcomematstevescott]

👍

[@lucatraverso6891]

Here is being able to rotate UKE well at the same time as his leg is locked.... Ciao

[@welcomematstevescott]

Good point Luca!

[@GaiderAbdul]

Hiza Guruma is one of my sensei's favorite, and I don't know... Even if he is teaching the movement rightly, every throw seems little awkard to me... it's like he is "kicking the knee" instead of "blocking the knee".

[@welcomematstevescott]

You make a good point. Prop or block uke's knee much like you you hold your hand to cup around his knee.