Martial intent
Block Uke’s knee and guide the throw through a circular rotation to project your opponent with control and precision.
In short
This is a throwing technique (Nage-waza) that uses the outside of Uke’s knee as a support point.
The idea is to place your foot against the outside of your partner’s knee, like a spoke blocking a moving wheel.
By pulling Uke’s sleeve toward your hip while pushing on the lapel, you create a natural rotational movement that causes Uke to tip over.
This technique works according to the lever principle: your foot placed on the outside of the knee becomes a fixed point around which the entire body rotates, without requiring excessive strength.
Video
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Source: official YouTube channel of the Kodokan Judo Institute
⚠️ This technique should be learned and practised in a club under the supervision of a qualified instructor. The explanations below do not replace supervised judo training.
Steps
- Kuzushi (imbalance): Break Uke’s balance forward and slightly to the side.
- Tsukuri (entry): Turn your body on your supporting leg and pull Uke’s arm toward your hip.
- Tsukuri (final positioning): Place your foot against the outside of Uke’s knee, keeping your leg extended like a spoke.
- Kake (throw): Pull the sleeve in a circular motion toward your hip while pushing the lapel and blocking the knee.
- Finish: Follow the circular rotation until Uke is fully projected to the ground.
Key points
- The forward and diagonal pull shifts Uke’s centre of gravity beyond the base of support.
- Your foot forms a solid obstacle at knee level while your body rotates to the opposite side.
- The combination of circular arm movement and knee block creates rotation around a vertical axis.
- Your extended leg acts as the lever’s pivot, increasing the effectiveness of the initial imbalance
Recommendations
The key to Hiza-guruma lies in precise timing.
Your foot must contact the outside of Uke’s knee at the exact moment when his weight transfers onto that leg as he moves forward.
This allows Uke’s own momentum to be converted into throwing force, rather than creating a static block that would require unnecessary strength.
Common mistakes
Beginners often bend the blocking leg instead of keeping it extended like a true wheel spoke, which cancels the lever effect and turns the technique into an inefficient push.
How to fix them
- From the initial position, focus on fully extending your blocking leg to create a firm contact point at knee level.
- Then guide Uke’s body around this point by maintaining a strong, continuous pull on the sleeve.