Principles of War: Self Analysis – Throwing Techniques

I’m analyzing my martial arts skills, capabilities, and personal style through the lens of the Principles of War. U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-0 starting on page 4-11 defines the Principles of War. My commentary on these definitions can be found through the links below.

Mass
Objective
Offensive
Surprise
Economy of Force
Maneuver
Unity of Command
Security
Simplicity

In my last post I described my temperament under stress and my favorite striking techniques. My focus today is grappling.

My grappling skills come from years of training in Kodokan Judo and additional years of Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu.

I prefer throws then choking techniques and joint locks.

I’m more effective using counters rather than initiating attacks; that is, using the opponent’s attack as the beginning (the kuzushi) and the entry into a throw.

There are a few throws I consider “defensive-offensive”. These throws lend themselves to converting the opponent’s attack smoothly and instantly into a counter-attack.

Defensive-Offensive Throws
Foremost of the “defensive-offensive” throws is harai-goshi (sweeping hip throw). Using harai-goshi I can adapt to almost any hand strike converting the attacker’s strike into my throw – hitting him with the parking lot as Professor Cates is fond of saying.

Tai-o-toshi (body drop) is almost as good as harai-goshi. This throw takes a little more coordination to execute but in some ways it’s just a variation of harai-goshi.

Two other good - for me – “defensive-offensive” throws are uchi-mata (inside thigh reaping throw) and ippon seoi nagi (one arm shoulder throw). I find they work well when dealing with an over-hand hammer-like attack. Against any other hand strike I would automatically flow into harai-goshi.

There is also one Neko Ryu take down that just fits me. It flows so naturally that it’s likely to just happen if I’m attacked with a roundhouse hook punch. I don’t know its real name but I call it “passing”. Basically, I pivot backward away from the roundhouse punch, during the pivot I lightly grasp the inside of the opponent’s wrist or forearm and add some extra velocity to the attacker’s forward motion. As he closes with me my opposite hand hooks the back of his neck and as I complete the pivot, my angular momentum accelerates the opponent faster than his feet can keep up and he falls head first at my feet with his wrist still in my grasp ready for a finishing technique.

I didn’t intend to teach this technique in this essay but I was compelled to describe it since as far as I know it has no common name – and I love it.

Attacking or Counter-Attacking Throws
When the opponent has no forward momentum to use against him you have to generate motion by either tricking him into moving the way to want or by moving yourself. Attacking or counter-attacking throws are those in which you generate the motion. There are four of counter-attacking throws that I like a lot.

First, o-soto-gari (major outer reaping throw); this is the most common throw in Judo probably because it’s so effective. It can be used as a counter-attack in almost any situation but it isn’t “defensive-offensive” because the throw doesn’t naturally defend you from the opponent’s attack. O-soto-gari works well in combination with the simultaneous brush block of a hand strike.

Second, o-ichi-gari (major inner reaping throw); this throw isn’t as powerful as o-soto-gari but it’s a surprise when first used and it’s hard to see coming. It's “up close & personal” – you’re actually in grappling range before you can initiate o-ichi-gari. That’s largely why uki (your opponent) has difficulty seeing your leg sweep between his legs hooking one and taking his balance. Like all of the counter-attacking throws, o-ichi-gari must be used in combination with some defensive technique to avoid the opponent’s assault.

Third, ko-ichi-gari (minor inner reaping throw) is even weaker than o-ichi-gari. I use it in combination with o-soto-gaki (major outer entanglement). I start with ko-ichi-gari snaking my leg between his and posting my heel behind uki’s opposite side foot. I follow with o-soto-gaki wrapping my other leg around uki’s trapped foot from the outside. My momentum away from his free leg then carries uki off his trapped foot. Again, this throw starts “up close & personal”.

Fourth, a variation of o-soto-gaki (major outer entanglement) is an excellent attack in its own right. In this variation, your attacking leg wraps around uki’s same side leg and stomps down high on the back of his calf. A less vicious version will merely brush your calf down on his. Both versions end with uki on the ground but the first version is likely to injure uki’s knee.

These are my best throws. Harai-goshi and o-soto-gari are my “go to” techniques that I use automatically without thought. I’ll continue with my best chokes and joint locks in the next post.

Link to the Martial Arts Training Report: The Principles of War