Koshi guruma

Koshi guruma
Koshi guruma
	Illustration of the judo throw Koshi-guruma.
Classification	Nage-waza
Sub classification	Koshi-waza
Kodokan	Yes
Technique name
Rōmaji	Koshi Guruma
Japanese	腰車
English	Hip wheel
Korean	허리 돌리기

Koshi Guruma (腰車), is one of the original 40 throws of Judo as developed by Jigoro Kano. It belongs to the second group,

Dai Nikyo, of the traditional throwing list, Gokyo (no waza), of Kodokan Judo. It is also part of the current 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo. It is classified as a hip technique, Koshi-waza.

Technique description

In Koshi Guruma the attacker tries to force his opponent to bend down a little and thereby be able to hold his right arm around the opponents head. This is no problem against smaller opponents. During this process he wheels his right hip inwards a bit past the opponents right hip. The legs follow in a series of steps during this wheel and in the new position the attacker simply bends over a bit, thereby lifting the opponent from the ground. The last step is then to rotate the body clockwise as this move throws the opponent to the ground. The attacker can choose to follow into the throw and, if done properly, positions himself directly into Kesa-gatame.

Technique history

Koshi Guruma has been a throw taught by Judo traditionalists since Kano Sensei. Recently, in certain countries such as Canada, Koshi Guruma is frowned upon because of its potential risk of neck injury. It is still taught at a yellow or orange belt level, but banned in some tournaments.