Koshi Nage Off Balance

Koshi Nage is a general name for any hip throw. As with other techniques in Aikido the variations are countless. Many of these techniques are borrowed from Judo but throws are seen that come from many different arts. In this section we will just consider the Aikido hip throw.

Koshi Nage Off Balance is a variation of Irimi Off Balance that is used to kill or do serious damage to Uke. Regular Irimi Off Balance and Tenkan Off Balance throw Uke down and might injure Uke but they are not typically deadly and are usually followed up by a technique. Koshi Nage is quite deadly and should only be used where deadly force is justified and required.

With this approach, Koshi Nage is a basic method of Off Balance rather than a technique. It can be used with many Aikido techniques. Particularly the arm up techniques. These include:

1. Nikkyo
2. Sankyo
3. Yankyo
4. Gokyo

There is another form of Koshi Nage that is frequently seen in Aikido. It is easier to do and really fits so well in the Aiki system that it is not named. This is shown in Koshi Nage.

Example 1, Koshi Nage Ikkyo.

Movie of Koshi Nage Ikkyo.

Fig. 1 Start		Fig. 2 1st Koshi Step		Fig. 3 In 2nd Step		Fig. 4 2nd Koshi Step

1. Fig. 1 shows the start. Nage and Uke are posed in the Ikkyo start position.
2. Fig. 2 shows the end of the 1st Koshi Step. Nage's left foot has moved forward the same as a regular Irimi Step.
3. In Fig. 3 Nage is in the 2nd Koshi step. This picture is included to show Nage's right leg coming between Uke and Nage's left leg. This throw cannot really be practiced static. At this point Uke's balance must be broken by Nage's movement because it is not practical to strike Uke here. Uke is moving forward with Nage. Notice that Uke's elbow is above Nage's shoulder and Nage's right elbow has gone under Uke's left arm.
4. Fig. 4 shows Nage near the end of the 2nd Koshi step. This step is out in front of Uke rather than close to Uke. Some Nage's have the line through the feet perpendicular to the line through Uke's feet but having Nage's right foot more in front of Uke's right foot makes it more difficult for Nage to step around the throw.

   Fig. 5 Squat		Fig. 6 Finish

5. Fig. 5 shows Nage squatting for the actual throw. Nage's hip goes low under Uke and moves back into Uke's leg making stepping difficult for Uke. Uke hips do not come up lifting Uke as in many Judo throws. It is critical for Nage to release Uke just after this so that Uke can roll. The combat application is to drive Uke's arm to the mat. This forces Uke's head to strike the mat with potentially fatal consequences.
6. Fig. 6 shows the finish with Uke rolling away. Practiced this way the technique is gentle and high falls are not necessary.

Example 2, Koshi Nage Yokomen Uchi.

Movie of Koshi Nage Yokomen Uchi.

This example shows the throw from a common street fighting attack. The attack can be anything where the demonstrated body positions occur. I was taught this throw with Uke holding my wrist. I could not do the throw that way with many Uke's because my arms are too short to get sufficient leverage. It did work well if Uke was running around me but I doubt an Uke would really hold on for that type throw.

Fig. 7 Start		Fig. 8 Knee Pop Stomp		Fig. 9 1st Koshi Step		Fig. 10 2nd Koshi Step

1. Fig. 7 shows the start. Nage is standing in front of Uke. Uke is standing square to Nage even though this is not standard Aikido practice. The throw is done this way because of limited mat width for Uke to roll.
2. Fig. 8 shows Uke's right hand striking at Uke's head with a Yokomen Uchi. Nage's rear foot is stepping in with a knee pop stomp and both Nage's hands are coming up into Uke's face. It is important that Nage's left hand go toward Uke's face and not toward the striking arm at this time. Nage's front foot should not step in formal practice.
3. Fig. 9 shows the end of the 1st Koshi Step. Nage's back foot steps in close to Uke. Nage must be in position to deliver a powerful upward blow to Uke's chin or face. If Uke is knocked backwards then it will be difficult to bring Uke forward for the throw. Nage must break Uke's balance and keep Uke too busy for Uke's left hand to strike Nage.
4. In Fig. 10 Nage has just taken the 2nd Koshi Step. This puts the line through Nage's feet perpendicular to the line through Uke's feet. Nage is positioned so that Nage's hip will knock Uke's right leg away when Nage squats. Nage continues Uke's strike bringing it over Nage's head. Nage's right hand has completed the strike to Uke's chin and has grabbed Uke's striking forearm. Using both arms strengthens the throw.

   Fig. 11 Squat		Fig. 12 Arms Down		Fig. 13 Finish

5. Fig. 11 shows Nage squatting and bringing Uke down over Nage's hip. If Uke's balance is not broken the throw is easy to counter at this point or Uke can just fall on Nage.
6. In Fig. 12 Nage continues bringing Uke's hand and arm down to the mat and slightly projecting Uke forward. Nage's hip shifts back under Uke knocking Uke's right leg away making it difficult for Uke to step out of the throw or to fall on Nage. It is critical in practice to release Uke's arm at this point and allow Uke to roll. The combat application is to hold on driving Uke's head into the mat with potentially fatal consequences.
7. Fig. 13 shows the finish with Uke rolling away.