The Uchi Mata is one of Judo’s and BJJ’s most popular and effective takedowns. It allows you to throw your opponent off your shoulder, so he lands on the ground, and for you to attain a more dominant position. It’s as effective as it is because it allows you to off-balance your opponent with your hips.
Executing it—isn’t as difficult as many folks think. Although it’s a complex move, particularly more than other takedowns, such as the Foot Sweep, it’s not as complicated.
The truth is that if you learn its basics properly, you’ll be able to start throwing your opponents to the ground with ease when using it. It’ll become like second nature to you. Therefore, it’s a move you definitely want to learn.
This article is the only resource you need to start using the Uchi Mata and see success with it. I know that’s a bold statement, but hear me out. Here’s what we’ll cover today:
So buckle up; we’re about to enter the world of the Uchi Mata takedown. After you finish reading this article, I’m confident that you’ll be able to start using it in the real world and see actual results from it. So let’s dive into the first part, the definition.
What is the Uchi Mata Takedown?
Before I begin rumbling about the Uchi Mata takedown, there’s one thing you must understand. Learning and understanding the basics of anything you learn in life, especially in martial arts, is key to seeing more results from that thing.
For instance, if you want to learn a takedown in BJJ, you must first completely grasp its basics. If you do so, you’ll be able to advance to the more advanced material and learn it faster. So understanding the foundation is a win-win situation. This is what this part is for.
The Uchi Mata is a takedown in many grappling martial arts, such as Judo, BJJ, Wrestling, and Sambo. It utilizes throwing your opponent off your shoulder by leveraging your hips. You’ll pull the opponent toward you, turn around, and lift your leg to drive your opponent off your hips and to the ground.
We’ll review the exact steps to perform this takedown in the next section. For now, watch the following video to see what it looks like:
So you can see why that takedown would be helpful to know and understand how to execute. This is what the next part of the article will do. It’ll present the basic steps to perform this awesome throw. So stay tuned for that!
How to perform the Uchi Mata Takedown
Performing the Uchi Mata takedown—isn’t as difficult as many grapplers think. Whether you’re into Judo, Sambo, Wrestling, or BJJ, it doesn’t matter. You’ll be able to put it into practice after reading this part of the article. So let’s see how you can perform it yourself:
You first want to start standing and establish upper body grips. The grips you want to have are, typically, a sleeve and collar grip. So you grip your opponent’s right sleeve with your left hand and grip his left collar with your right hand.
After establishing upper body grips, you want to rotate your opponent’s sleeve toward you and upward. So you’ll continue the execution by pulling his sleeve toward you and upward while rotating your wrist.
The next step is to step forward, pull the opponent in through his collar, and turn 180 degrees. You want to be in line with your opponent. If his body is facing north, yours should be too. Also, you want to ensure your rear foot is in between his feet, exactly in the middle. That will ease up the next step, so make sure to do that.
Then, you want to kick your leg backward. This is one of the most critical steps here. You want to kick your leg back while remaining balanced and secured. Your opponent might try and get on the offense when he spots you going for the Uchi Mata. For that reason, staying balanced—is essential.
And finally, you use your hips as leverage while pulling your opponent toward you to take him down. The next step will be to attain a more dominant position (in BJJ.) In Judo, you’ll get the Ippon and the victory.
Here’s a visual aid for you:
Uchi Mata Variations
Alright. We’re now in the most important part of this article. Sometimes, it can be difficult to execute the same technique over and over again. Soon enough, your opponents will find out what you’re about and learn to counter you.
As a result, you must constantly evolve. You can’t stop learning and not changing your fighting style. If you don’t, your opponents will learn to counter you, making your takedowns ineffective.
Thus, learning as many variations as possible—will be critical in constantly evolving. Regardless of your current position, you must do whatever it takes to expand your move and variation base. And this is what this part of the article will be out.
So buckle up. And if you don’t have a seat belt, buckle your mind, as you’re about to learn about the 3 most important Uchi Mata variations you must learn.
#1 – Pulling Ochi Mata
The first variation we’ll review is the Pulling Ochi Mata. It basically looks and acts the same as the standard one. However, your footwork will be different. Now, at the beginning of this part, I mentioned that your opponent will, sooner or later, get accustomed to your moves.
So is it different enough to ensure you surprise them? My answer is yes, particularly if you also learn the two other variations which are coming next.
What’s different about the Pulling variation? The only difference is that you’ll pull yourself to your opponent using your feet and upper body grips. How does that look?
You want to touch the inside of your opponent’s leg when you go for your entry. Once you do that, you can use it as leverage to pull yourself in and catch him off-guard. This has to happen fast! If you’ll take it slowly, you’ll only find yourself in deeper trouble.
This variation looks and acts the same, however a bit different. Different enough to diversify your takedown game, which is our goal!
#2 – Front Uchi Mata
The second variation is called the Front Uchi Mata. It’s one you want to learn and familiarize yourself with because it’ll help you transition from a defensive to an offensive position quickly.
This variation starts when you have a double-back belt grip. So you underhook the right side of your opponent and grab the belt while overhooking his left side and doing the same thing. Then, you want to step forward and backward in series, giving you more momentum.
The next step is to lean and ensure your opponent is standing only on one leg. Finally, you want to sweep the leg that’s in the air and finish the move by forcing your opponent in the direction of his standing leg. And that’s the takedown.
#3 – Pendulum Uchi Mata
The last variation we’ll review is the most advanced one you’ll stumble upon. Although it won’t be as difficult to learn and execute, it’s definitely more complex than all the other variations we’ve reviewed.
And again, there is one thing you’ll do differently, which is your entry. The way you enter will be different this time; you’ll do so by swinging your way in and going for the takedown. Sounds fairly simple, but it might be harder than you think.
You want to start in your regular stance and establish the collar and sleeve grip on your opponent, which is the same as the original variation. Then, you’re going to swing the opponent’s arm and enter by swinging your foot as well. In a swift motion, go for the regular Uchi Mata finish–to finish.
This is a variation you want to learn if expanding your knowledge and toolbox is something you desire. Although it’s perhaps the most complex and hard-to-learn one, I’m sure you’ll be able to deal with it properly.
So definitely start training all 3 variations as soon as possible!
Uchi Mata Tips
We’re almost at the end fellas. Keep doing what you’re doing—and you’ll find yourself progressing much faster than your peers. The fact that you’re going out of your way to learn—is fantastic and will leave you rewarded. So great work!
Now that we’re done patting your shoulder, let’s dive into 3 tips that’ll help you perfect your Uchi Mata execution. I’ve deliberately decided to include 3 tips and not 20 because I want you to start implementing all of them simultaneously into your game.
I believe that 3 is a number you can handle without it getting too overwhelming. So definitely do that whenever you’re getting on the mat.
Let’s dive straight into the first one.
#1 – Proper Gripping
Establish a strong grip on your opponent’s judogi (uniform). A good grip allows you to control the upper body and set up your Uchi Mata effectively. Aim to secure a high collar grip and a sleeve grip on your opponent’s same-side arm, giving you control and leverage.
Your upper body grips give you the ability to control the opponent more effectively. For example, if your collar grip isn’t as tight and firm, your opponent will be able to brush it off, leaving you without any momentum or leverage.
Off-balancing your opponent also becomes more difficult without proper upper body grips. As a result, it’s something you want to emphasize.
So ensure your upper body grips are as tight as ever!
#2 – Timing and Setup
Timing is crucial in executing Uchi Mata. Look for opportunities when your opponent’s weight is slightly forward or when they are off-balance. Create setups by using footwork and feints to create openings and distract your opponent, allowing you to execute the throw with better success.
The best way I’ve found to perfectly time the Uchi Mata is by stepping forward with the opponent and then backward. You want to lead the moves, like in a dance. Force your opponent to be on the move, but in a way that’ll help you.
That’s why you want the moves you do to create a situation where he’s standing on one of his legs. If you do that, you’ll be able to perfect your entry and go for the victory.
#3 – Follow Through
After executing the throw, it’s important to maintain control and follow through. Keep your arms connected to your opponent, using your grip to control their upper body and prevent them from escaping or countering. Continue your movement and complete the throw by ensuring your opponent lands on their back with force.
Many grapplers, especially novice ones, forget that following through might be the factor as to whether they get an Ippon or not. Therefore, following through and ensuring you control your opponent even after you throw them—is critical.
Finishes from the Uchi Mata
The last part of this article will cover one finish you can do from the Uchi Mata. Now this is mostly done when your execution is unsuccessful. However, it can also work if it’s successful. So what do I mean when I say that you can do it after an unsuccessful attempt?
Here’s the thing.
Once you throw your opponent to the ground, you’ll need to follow up if you don’t get an Ippon. And you must follow up if that’s a real fight you’re involved in. Therefore, here’s a solid option you have in that case.
Attaining a more dominant position is your best bet after the Uchi Mata takedown. You’ll be able to attain either Mount or Side Control, giving you even more control. And from these positions, you’ll be able to submit or choke the opponent, depending on your finishing style.
This is some great news for all of you who love groundwork. Give these a try!
Final Words
And this was the Uchi Mata takedown. I’m confident you’ve found this resource helpful, as I’ve worked a lot on it and I know it’s solid.
There’s one thing I want you guys to do next: get on the mat as soon as possible to train what you had just learned. Success doesn’t come from reading, it comes from doing. So get out of your comfort zone and start implementing everything in this article.
So get on the mat and start training!
The Uchi Mata, however, isn’t the most effective takedown. Follow this link to read about BJJ’s most effective takedowns you must learn to call yourself a decent grappler.
Here are related articles you’d enjoy reading:
Kouchi Gari Complete Breakdown – For BJJ & Judo
Arm Drag Takedown – Complete Fighting Breakdown
Foot Sweep Guide (For BJJ, Judo, and Wrestling)
Seoi Nage – Takedown Breakdown (BJJ & Judo)
BJJ 101 – Double Leg Takedown (Variations & Finishes
Single Leg Takedown 101 – BJJ Comprehensive Guide