Hane-makikomiKodokan and IJF Definitions, Related Makikomi Throws, Grading and Youth Rules

01 / What is hane-makikomi?

What is hane-makikomi?

In the Kodokan’s classification, hane-makikomi is a throwing technique (nage-waza) in the group of side sacrifice techniques (yoko-sutemi-waza). It is the third of the 16 side sacrifice techniques. The Kodokan defines it as a technique in which tori applies hane-goshi, holds the opponent’s right arm in the armpit with the right arm, and winds the opponent in to throw. Tori starts from hane-goshi, a standing hip technique, and sacrifices tori’s own body to wind uke in (section 3).

In the Kodokan’s Gokyo-no-waza, hane-makikomi is in the fourth group. It is not part of Nage-no-kata (section 3).

Sides and roles in this guide

• Tori is the person who applies the technique and throws; uke is the person who is thrown.
• The Kodokan definition is written for the right-handed technique (whose arm does what is set out in section 3).
• The IJF’s (International Judo Federation’s) explanations of techniques are based on the technique performed on the right side. In the IJF description, the hand that tori releases is tori’s right hand, and tori twists to the left.
• The Kodokan’s text for promotion examinations says that its explanations of throws basically assume a grip taken from the right natural posture (migi-shizentai) and, where necessary, from the right defensive posture (migi-jigotai). This guide uses the same sides.

This guide sets out how hane-makikomi is defined, how its definition is told apart from those of hane-goshi and the other makikomi techniques, how kyu and dan grading and the competition rules treat it, and what safety points are given for practising makikomi techniques.

02 / Reference videos

Reference videos

Reference videos to help you picture the movement.

Kodokan official video

• “Hane-makikomi”: a video on the Kodokan’s official YouTube channel. According to its description, it is part of the Kodokan and IJF Academy “100 Techniques” series, in the side sacrifice techniques. The hane-makikomi entry in the Kodokan’s list of technique names also links to this video.

IJF page

• IJF technique page “hane-makikomi”: the page carries the IJF’s description of hane-makikomi (section 3) and a video, and it has a 3D animation page.

Side sacrifice group video

• “Yoko-sutemi-waza”: the video for the side sacrifice group in the Kodokan’s “100 Techniques” series. The side sacrifice heading in the Kodokan’s list of technique names links to it.

Other reference videos

• Judo Canada, “Hane Makikomi” and “GOKYO : Clip 062 : Hane-Makikomi”: two short videos on the YouTube channel that Judo Canada’s website links to.

The Kodokan videos of hane-goshi, the starting technique, and of harai-makikomi, whose definition is very close, are introduced in section 4.

03 / Definition and classification

Definition and classification

The Kodokan’s definition

The Kodokan’s English definition of hane-makikomi reads:

“A technique to wrap the opponent round and throw down him by applying Hane-goshi and holding his right arm in the right armpit.”

In this definition:

• The person who applies hane-goshi is tori.
• The arm that holds is tori’s right arm, and the arm held is uke’s right arm. The Kodokan’s Japanese definition does not say whose armpit; the English one names the side, “the right armpit”, but does not say whose.
• The person wound in and thrown is uke.

The IJF’s description

The IJF’s technique page, which gives the English name “springing wrap-around throw”, describes hane-makikomi as follows:

“A sacrifice. After attempting a hane-goshi (hip spring), release your right hand and place it on the outside as you twist to the left, thereby wrapping your opponent’s body around you, then throw by taking him with you as you fall forward onto the mat.”

This description is addressed to tori. The person who attempts hane-goshi is tori. The hand released is tori’s right hand, and tori places it “on the outside”; the description does not say outside of what, nor what tori’s right hand was holding before. The body that twists to the left is tori’s. The body wrapped is uke’s, and it is wrapped around tori’s body. The person who falls forward onto the mat is tori, and uke is thrown by being taken along with tori.

How the two texts relate

The Kodokan definition and the IJF description say the same thing on three points:

• Hane-goshi comes first.
• Tori’s right arm and right hand are at work.
• Uke is wound around tori and thrown.

On the other points, each text describes a different aspect. The Kodokan describes a state, with tori’s right arm holding uke’s right arm in the armpit; the IJF describes a movement, with tori releasing the right hand and placing it on the outside. Only the IJF mentions the twist to the left and tori falling forward. The starting point is also worded differently: in the Kodokan definition hane-goshi is “applied”, while the IJF speaks of “attempting” it first. This guide does not join the two texts into one procedure; it gives each in its own words.

Because hane-makikomi starts from hane-goshi, see the guide to hane-goshi for how hane-goshi itself is applied. Because tori sacrifices the body and winds uke in, the youth contest rules and stages of practice that deal with makikomi and sacrifice techniques as groups also concern it (sections 6 and 7).

Where it sits in the classification

• In the Kodokan’s classification, throwing techniques are divided into standing techniques (tachi-waza) and sacrifice techniques (sutemi-waza), and sacrifice techniques into rear sacrifice techniques (ma-sutemi-waza) and side sacrifice techniques (yoko-sutemi-waza). Hane-makikomi is side sacrifice technique no. 3.
• The IJF describes the side sacrifice group as throwing techniques in which tori “sacrifices” the body by falling to the right or left while throwing, and says that since April 1, 2017 the Kodokan classification has 16 side sacrifice techniques. In the list of technique names in the IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, too, hane-makikomi is side sacrifice technique no. 3 (section 6).
• In the Gokyo-no-waza revised in 1920, hane-makikomi is in the fourth group (sumi-gaeshi, tani-otoshi, hane-makikomi, sukui-nage, utsuri-goshi, o-guruma, soto-makikomi, uki-otoshi). It was not in the original Gokyo of 1895.
• The side sacrifice techniques of the Kodokan’s Nage-no-kata are yoko-gake, yoko-guruma and uki-waza. Hane-makikomi is not part of Nage-no-kata.

04 / How it differs from similar techniques

How it differs from similar techniques

How the Kodokan definitions differ

The table compares hane-makikomi with hane-goshi, the technique it starts from, and with the other makikomi techniques, using the key points of the Kodokan definitions.

In the definitions of harai-makikomi, uchi-mata-makikomi, o-soto-makikomi and hane-makikomi, the part “hold the opponent’s right arm in the armpit with the right arm, wind the opponent in and throw” is worded identically. What separates the names is the technique applied first.

The IJF’s descriptions word this differently: for harai-makikomi, tori holds uke’s right arm in the armpit, while for hane-makikomi, tori releases the right hand and places it on the outside. This is a difference in how the IJF wrote its two descriptions, not a conflict with the Kodokan definitions.

The Kodokan’s official channel also has “100 Techniques” videos of hane-goshi and harai-makikomi:

• “Hane-goshi”: the video of hane-goshi, a hip technique, in the Kodokan’s “100 Techniques” series.
• “Harai-makikomi”: the video of harai-makikomi, a side sacrifice technique, in the same series.

A classification by movement structure

One study from 1999 that classified throws by their movement structure divides sacrifice techniques into three types. It puts hane-makikomi, together with harai-makikomi, o-soto-makikomi, soto-makikomi, uchi-makikomi and uchi-mata-makikomi, in the “rotating, frontal direction” group (our translation of the group name), in which the body falls in the direction tori is facing. This is a theoretical classification. It does not change the Kodokan’s classification, and it does not describe how to apply the technique.

05 / Place in kyu and dan grading

Place in kyu and dan grading

Japan

• The list of techniques in the Kodokan’s text for promotion examinations does not include hane-makikomi. In fact, the list includes no makikomi technique at all.
• In Japan’s Ministry of Education’s Guide to Teaching Judo, hane-makikomi appears by name only: in the 3rd revised edition (2013), in the table of technique names at the end of the guide; in the earlier 2nd revised edition (2007), in the list of technique names and in the Gokyo table at the end.

Federations outside Japan

In the grading documents of national federations, hane-makikomi appears at these stages:

The German federation’s current kyu requirements (2025), the Austrian federation’s kyu-grading manuals, the British federation’s kyu and mon (junior grade) syllabuses, the French federation’s technical table for 1st to 3rd dan and its belt-programme posters, and the Russian federation’s kyu technique table do not include hane-makikomi. The German federation says that, following the order of the Gokyo-no-waza, it does not yet teach sacrifice techniques in its basic kyu programme.

06 / How the rules treat it

How the rules treat it

As far as we checked, no rule prohibits or restricts hane-makikomi by name. However, Japan’s youth rules penalise “forced makikomi” techniques, and the British, Canadian and French federations do not allow sacrifice techniques, makikomi techniques included, as a group in contests for some categories. None of these rules is defined by the name hane-makikomi, and the categories they cover differ from country to country.

IJF rules (Sport and Organisation Rules, version of July 24, 2026)

• The only place the rules name hane-makikomi is the list of technique names (side sacrifice technique no. 3). It is not among the Kodokan techniques not allowed in IJF events (kawazu-gake, kani-basami, do-jime and ashi-garami). The IJF’s technique page does not treat it as a forbidden technique either.
• Ippon requires a technique that can be identified as one included in the Kodokan classification (including recognised variations, version of April 1, 2017). On scoring, Article 14 says:

> “Just landing and rolling over and falling on the side/back in the process of the contest, without applying a clear technique, is not enough to score.”

• Throws using head diving are dangerous and are penalised with hansoku-make (Article 18.2.1). The techniques the article gives as examples include uchi-mata, harai-goshi, seoi-nage, tai-otoshi, kata-guruma and tsuri-goshi; neither hane-makikomi nor makikomi techniques are named.
• For counters, the athlete who uses the impact of the landing to complete a counter is not credited for it. “If the two athletes land together without clear control for either one, no score will be given” (the provision on counters among the decisions that must be reviewed with the CARE video system).
• Under Article 2.3, “Athletes under 15 years of age are not allowed to compete in any official IJF event”. Restrictions in children’s contests depend on each country’s rules.

Contests for junior high school age and younger in Japan

The All Japan Judo Federation’s Refereeing Rules for Youth Competitions (in force from April 1, 2026) provide that contests for junior high school age and younger are held under the IJF rules, with additional provisions for safety. The Nippon Budokan’s All Japan Boys and Girls Budo (Judo) Rensei Tournament uses the same prohibited acts and supplementary provisions.

• Prohibited act 1-4 (penalised with shido) is “Applying a forced makikomi technique” (our translation).
• Supplementary provision 4 defines it:

> “A ‘forced makikomi’ is a technique in which the thrower, without using the spring of the supporting leg, winds the opponent in by falling with the body. It is not treated as a foul when it results from a technique breaking down.” (our translation)

• Neither the prohibited acts nor the supplementary provisions name hane-makikomi. What the item penalises is a “forced makikomi”, not makikomi techniques as such. Because the provision defines it by the way the technique is applied, not by its name, the name hane-makikomi alone does not decide whether the item applies.

Youth and novice contests in the UK

In the 2026 revision of its technical restrictions for young and inexperienced judoka (in force from July 6, 2026), the British Judo Association prohibits sacrifice throws and gives maki-komi among the examples:

“1.5 No Sutemi-waza: Tori may not apply sutemi-waza. This includes techniques such as tomoe-nage, sumi-gaeshi, uki-waza, yoko-otoshi, tani-otoshi, ura-nage, or maki-komi. Note: Rear lifting throws where tori remains standing are permitted, allowing techniques such as ushrio-goshi [sic].”

Hane-makikomi is not named; it is covered by the group word “maki-komi”. The restrictions apply to these three categories:

“School years 4, 5, 6 & 7, for any grade. Scotland P5, P6, P7 & S1. All under 12 years’ categories, for any grade. All under 16 year’s categories limited to yellow belt and under.”

The briefing adds: “Technical restrictions do not apply outside these categories.” The first restricted action is explained without penalty; after that, the same or any other restricted action is penalised with shido.

Among the safety reasons for the restrictions, the association writes:

“Young children have a high head to body mass ratio, undeveloped neck musculature and fragile growth plates, making them physically less able to absorb the forces of ura-nage and maki-komi; resulting in a high risk of spine compression, concussion, fractured ribs and broken clavicles.”

This is the association’s claim. The document gives no figures or sources for it.

Youth contests in Canada

Judo Canada’s Sanctioning Policy & Tournament Standards (2026–2027 edition) prohibits “All Sutemi-waza and Makikomi-waza” in the categories below (birth years for the 2026/27 season). It does not name hane-makikomi.

• U8 (born 2020 or later), U10 (born 2018–2019) and U12 (born 2016–2017): all ranks.
• U14 (born 2014–2015): Novice divisions (yellow and orange belts).

For U12 and the U14 Novice divisions, the policy also states: “Actions that start as a Makikomi or Sutemi should not be scored. Actions that start with an allowed technique and then because of reaction of the opponent end up as Makikomi-waza should be scored.”

For U8, a “Judo Festival” format “in which there is no formal judging” is recommended for sanctioned events, and randori starting in tachi-waza for yellow belts and above “is not judged”. At club level, “Modified Shiai competition is allowed in the club”.

Ages are counted as of December 31 of the second year of the season. The hybrid age groups that the event director may choose to use follow the U10 rules (U9) and the U12 rules (U11).

Competitions in France

The French Judo Federation’s rules for the 2026–2027 season, “Règlement International – Adaptations Pédagogiques Françaises” (the French teaching adaptations of the international rules, applying from September 1, 2026), state in two different ways, within the same document, where sutemi and makikomi are not allowed. Neither names hane-makikomi; both are restrictions on the group.

• The page for the item “Sutemi et Makikomi” (updated September 21, 2026) says that sutemi and makikomi are not allowed. Tori is warned, any impact cannot be counted as a score, and a repeat is penalised with shido. It applies to competitions and events up to and including the benjamins age category, to leisure competitions for beginners up to and including blue belt, and to adapted para-judo competitions.
• The document’s summary table of its five provisions (updated September 18, 2026) marks the row “Sutemi et Makikomi non autorisés” (not allowed) for the same three groups and also in the “Grades / Cadets” column. On the document’s other item pages, this column corresponds to events labelled “Compétitions de grade” and to cadet competitions other than the national 1st division championship.

The document does not say which of the two pages applies. These rules do not apply to several national events, such as the individual championships for cadets, juniors and seniors (1st division).

Each of these restrictions is a rule of that country’s federation and does not carry over as it stands to youth contests in other countries. Check the rules of the event you enter, and if you are unsure how something is treated, ask the event’s referees or organisers.

07 / Practice stages and safety

Practice stages and safety

The stages and cautions in this section concern makikomi and sacrifice techniques in general, or throwing techniques in general. None of them names hane-makikomi.

Guidance on the dangers of makikomi

The All Japan Judo Federation’s Safety Guidance in Judo says the following about makikomi:

• To prevent serious head injuries, “learning breakfalls, step-by-step practice, consideration of differences in build, not performing forced makikomi or falling-in throws, and the like are important” (our translation).
• Even with experienced judoka, fatal accidents can occur in simple throwing practice, for example when uke cannot break the fall in a makikomi or similar throw and is landed on with great force.
• “Being thrown with techniques whose breakfall is hard to take, such as backward techniques like o-soto-gari, makikomi, or a low seoi-nage with tori on the knees, is very dangerous, even in throwing practice” (our translation).
• “Many fractures of the collarbone, dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint and similar injuries occur when the person is wound in and falls onto the shoulder” (our translation). In accidents caused by a strong external force such as a makikomi, the person may at the same time have a serious injury to the head or neck.

The federation’s leaflet for children, on practice with a smaller partner, says: “Never force a makikomi on a smaller partner”, and “Forcing a makikomi or falling in is very dangerous” (our translation).

Among research, a 1985 report that measured o-soto-makikomi and harai-makikomi with a small group (three judoka as uke, one as tori) found that in makikomi techniques it was hard for uke to lessen the impact with the arms, and the shock to the body was greater. Hane-makikomi was not measured. A 2019 review of shoulder and elbow injuries also says that being thrown as if wound in by the opponent is thought to raise the risk of shoulder injury, and that awareness of the dangers of makikomi techniques needs to be raised continuously among primary and junior high school athletes and their coaches.

Do not dive head first

Japan’s Ministry of Education’s Guide to Teaching Judo (3rd revised edition) gives as a safety point for hane-goshi: “Do not apply the technique bent forward, in a posture that dives head first into the mat” (our translation). Hane-makikomi starts from hane-goshi. The IJF rules’ hansoku-make for throws using head diving is described in section 6.

Stages of practice

In the All Japan Judo Federation’s “Judo practice steps”, the goal for throwing techniques at step 2 (the nage-komi level) is “can throw on the spot (excluding sacrifice techniques)” (our translation), and the same box lists “not falling together, not winding in, not diving head first, and so on” (our translation). Breaking the fall when thrown with a sacrifice technique is placed among the breakfall goals of step 3 (the randori level): “can break the fall even when thrown with counters, sacrifice techniques and the like” (our translation).

In its New Year’s address for 2024, the Kodokan gives as an example techniques such as harai-makikomi, in which the thrower falls while winding the opponent in. Its English version says: “In practicing these techniques, skills and abilities of the opponent are even more important than those of the one who applies techniques.” The address adds that young people and beginners should not use the same techniques in the same way as experienced judoka, and that techniques, too, have an order of learning.

For school lessons, the current 3rd revised edition (2013) of the Ministry of Education’s guide says that when tori applies a technique while standing on one supporting leg, or applies it by sacrificing the body, tori’s stability is lacking. It also says that for sacrifice techniques, “from the standpoint of safety, measures can be considered such as having students experience, as kata rather than in actual attack and defence such as free practice, the techniques of throwing the opponent while sacrificing (falling with) one’s own body, such as tomoe-nage and uki-waza” (our translation). The earlier 2nd revised edition (2007) described how to handle sacrifice techniques as follows:

“Sacrifice techniques are content first taken up in high school, but they should be taken up only after students have become proficient in the basic movements and other throws. Using these techniques in free practice (randori) can be dangerous for students at an elementary stage, so it is better to limit them to prearranged practice, as techniques for acquiring kuzushi, body movement (tai-sabaki) and the like. However, once their skill has become proficient, they may be taken up in free practice (randori) and similar practice.” (our translation)

The order below is our suggestion. Do not move through it by set numbers of repetitions or fixed periods; move on only when the instructor has checked how tori and uke are coping.

1. Get used to hane-goshi, other throws and breakfalls: hane-makikomi starts from hane-goshi. First, tori learns to apply hane-goshi without diving head first. For uke, check that uke has reached the stage of being able to break the fall when thrown with a sacrifice technique (step 3 above).
2. Check uke’s ability and the difference in build: in practising makikomi techniques, the ability of the person receiving the throw is important. Check that uke can break the fall when thrown with a sacrifice technique, and never force a makikomi on a smaller partner.
3. Check the contest rules: before using it in contests, check the restrictions for young judoka at the event you enter (section 6).