Uchi Mata
Inner-thigh reaping throw that lifts and rotates the opponent over your hips — a classic judo attack adapted to collar-and-sleeve BJJ.
From StandingTo Top / Side Control
Overview
Uchi mata loads the opponent forward onto one leg, then reaps the inner thigh with your attacking leg while turning your hips through. In BJJ it often comes from collar-and-sleeve or over-under clinch when they resist osoto or seoi entries by posting a heavy lead leg.
#Load Forward
They must sit on the leg you will reap.
- Establish collar-sleeve or clinch control
- Break posture forward onto the target leg
- Step into a strong throwing stance
- Feel the weight settle on the inside support leg
#Reap and Turn
- Enter the reaping leg to the inner thigh
- Turn hips through as hands pull them over
- Keep chest connection so they cannot hop free
- Commit through the rotation
#Settle Top
The throw ends in a pin.
- Follow to side control or a stable top pin
- Clear immediate frames and turtle turns
- Establish cross-face/underhook
- Only then hunt submissions
Key Grips & Control Points
- Collar and sleeve (gi) or over-under / head-and-arm (no-gi)
- Chest and hip connection that lifts them onto the support leg
- Reaping leg attacking the inner thigh of the loaded side
- Hands pulling them onto the reap, not just around it
Timing & Movement Cues
- Attack when their weight sits on the target leg
- Enter as they step forward or resist a forward trip
- Finish when their posture is already broken over your hip line
Pressure & Weight Distribution
- Lift and rotate — do not kick the thigh without hip turn
- Keep chest contact so they cannot hop the free foot
- Follow to a pin; uchi mata scrambles invite guard pulls
Typical Counters to Expect
- Stepping the target foot back and circling out
- Hip blocks and counters into their own throw
- Early guard pulls as you commit the reap
Follow-Up Options
- Side control or kesa / scarf-hold style pins
- Knee-on-belly if they land open
- Pass chains if they recover open guard on the way down
Setups & Entries
- Osoto feints that force a heavy inside plant
- Collar-sleeve pressure that bends them forward
- Seoi threats that make them overpost the lead leg
Training Drills
- Uchi-komi style entries to a controlled mat return
- Gi collar-sleeve uchi mata to pin
- No-gi over-under adaptations without hard landings
Coaching Notes
- Load the leg before the reap
- Hips turn through; the leg is the finish, not the whole throw
- In BJJ, prioritize a safe landing and immediate top control
Related Study
Connect this movement with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
Uchi mata loads them forward, reaps the inner thigh, and turns the hips through into a pin. Set it up off osoto/seoi reactions, keep chest contact, and land in top control.