How to Do Harai Goshi
Judo’s “Swinging Hip” Adds Power to the Standard Hip Throw (Ogoshi)
Jun 11, 2009
A fundamental element of judo nage waza (throwing techniques), ogoshi (hip throw) is the foundation of the koshi waza (hip techniques) family. It is also used in traditional Japanese jujutsu and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Harai goshi (swinging hip) starts like ogoshi, but involves also swinging the leg and hip to the outside of the opponent’s hip. This modification requires slightly better balance, but pays off by giving the throw more power while simultaneously blocking one of the opponent’s escape routes.
How to do Harai Goshi
Starting from a right-side grip:
- Simultaneously: pull the opponent’s sleeve up and towards you with your left hand, pull in with your right arm (gripping back of collar, lapel, or belt), and step your right foot to the front corner of their right foot.
- Step your left foot behind your right foot - right between their feet. Bend your knees. Stay low. Stay on the balls of your feet. Make contact with the side of your hip into their hip or upper thigh.
- Simultaneously: pivot on the ball of your left foot, lift with your left leg, stretch your right leg to the outside of their right thigh while swinging it up to the ceiling, and twist your body to the left (you’ll end up standing on your left toes with your body and right leg horizontal).
- The opponent will fly over your right shoulder.
- Keep the grip on the opponent’s sleeve and pull up slightly as they hit the mat. This allows you to maintain control and softens the impact for your partner.
Kuzushi - the Most Important Takedown Concept
As with every judo takedown, kuzushi (or breaking the balance) is the most important element to master. When the opponent is off balance, they’ll be easier to throw, which means you’ll spend less energy achieving a stronger throw. For harai goshi, the bulk of the kuzushi comes from giving the opponent’s sleeve a hard pull up and towards you. This will cause them to move forwards and up on their toes - the perfect position for you to get your hips right under their centre of gravity.
Attack With a Low Centre of Gravity
After kuzushi, the most important element of harai goshi is attacking with a low centre of gravity - lower than your opponent’s. When this is done properly, almost all of the throw’s power comes from the legs rather than the back and upper body. That means a more powerful throw that requires less effort and reduces the risk of injury.
Leg Position in Harai Goshi Blocks the Opponent’s Counter
One of the counters to ogoshi is to simply jump around the opponent and get back to facing them. By getting off of and away from their hip, you take yourself out of the danger zone. The beauty of harai goshi is that the leg is positioned outside of the opponent’s hip, making it much more difficult for them to jump around and get off of your hip.
Go to Neil Ohlenkamp’s Judo Info Site to see a video of harai goshi.
 |
