Gyakunage "The Other Side Throw" by Homestay Akira + Yamada

In case anyone's wondering about the Gyaku Nage (Reverse, or "other side", Throw) technique, an important detail to be observed is that, if the conditions for a Side Throw are met then you cannot do any other throw but a Side Throw.

However, there are situations that arise where you're certain the conditions for a Side Throw are met (e.g. you successfully evaded), but a frontal throw comes instead. We've all been in situations where you could've sworn a Side Throw would come but it didn't, right? For example, you're holding the correct Side Throw escape but the opponent ends up doing a regular throw.

In the video, HSA demonstrates this first with CPU Jacky doing > . Akira successfully evades the and attempts a throw. You expect this to always be a side throw, but that's not always the case. That's largely due to the opponent's attack in how far it moves forward which determines your offset angle relative to their side. He later demonstrates CPU Jacky doing > and successfully evades the Step-in Middle Kick. This kick covers a lot of forward ground and always results in a side throw.

So, it is in these ambiguous situations where using the Gyaku Nage tech will be rewarding. Why? Because if you've successfully evaded your opponent's attack, they're usually going to commit to a Side Throw Escape (left or right). But by entering a throw in the reverse (gyaku) direction to their escape, your throw will succeed in these ambiguous situations. FWIW, a neutral throw will also succeed. Think of it as a kind of Option Select.

HSA is promoting the Gyaku Nage as a good habit to adopt for Side Throw situations, and suggests an easy way to determine the *reverse* side:

• In the FOREground, use a BACK throw.
• In BACKground, use FORWARD throw

The throw direction is the reverse or opposite to your lateral position. Got it? Good! Gyaku Nage can be a useful technique to throw an opponent who is good at Side Throw Escapes when you think you're at their side, but it turns out you're not!