[Shindai Warrior]

At the dojo last week. Two experienced black belts were doing Randori. The attacker would be about two weight categories heavier. The uchi-mata attack was a fully committed one and fairly quick, but was deftly countered by the defender using uchi-mata sukashi. It was a delight to watch.

The defender, our provincial coach and a former Olympic competitor told me " I learned it out of survival while training around the world."

Given how popular uchi-mata is with high level competitors that makes good sense to me.

Below is a link to one example during the 2001 All Japan Shiai. Inoue is defending against what appears to be a much heavier opponent, though it's all much slower than what I witnessed. From the expression on uke's face, it shows how devastating it is psychologically. Not only have you been thrown but realize that, mostly, you threw yourself.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=vAWweEE2QR4

It's is a more advanced technique. Who uses it? How and why did you learn it? How many here teach it?

[judoka_uk]

I have only ever been taught the Uchi mata 'ride' counter, which is similar to the sukashi method shown in the first half of this video


http://www.youtube.c...h?v=IlasKd1utDQ

The second half which shows the much more spectaular te waza sukashi I have never been taught, but have used to varying degrees. Never spectacularly, like your coach I have learnt it through having to defend against people with good uchi matas.

Also shown with english commentary here. from 3:52:


http://www.youtube.c...h?v=WzAO5_cq7Xs

In my experience having good tai sabaki and understanding of uke's momentum is key to this technique.

[Chu To Bu Judoka]

Excellent vid, short sweet and to the point

[footsweep]

Uchimata sukashi is considered an advanced technique. I think only a handful of the top level judokas have it down.

This technique has to be applied instinctively. You have to be experienced enough to feel your opponent coming for uchimata. Or you have to be good enough to bait your opponent to apply uchimata. And it better be uchimata because if it's harai goshi, you're flying.

It's not commonly taught as much as other counter techniques, because of its limited application. I think most instructors feel time is better spent on learning other aspects of judo than uchimata sukashi.