Grabs and Throws

Grabs, also referring to interchangeably as throws, are attacks available to each character in the Street Fighter series.

Description
Introduced in Street Fighter II, each character has a normal grab/throw attack; the input depends on the game.

Normal throws can be performed either forward/neutral or backward. In addition, certain characters can use throws in midair. Still other characters have special attacks that use grabs and throws, referred to as command grabs and throws respectively.

Most characters have at least a forward throw, and either a backward or air throw. In later games, including the Street Fighter IV games, characters would possess both forward and backward throws by default.

Tactics
Forward grabs will often knock or throw the foe away from the user, making them useful when cornered, and act as the "default". Backward throws often cause the user to "switch" with the foe in the process; this re-positioning makes it even more useful for escaping corners and setting up combos.

While a character cannot quick stand after being grabbed or thrown prior to Street Fighter V, they can escape if caught in a normal grab by performing one at or near the same time.

In addition, the spacing of the grab and/or the specific type of attack performed (and thus its strategical uses) varies with each character.

Character-specific tactics
Ryu's forward throw in the Street Fighter III series leaves a brief window for attack; one of his trials in 3rd Strike requires him to follow a forward throw on Dudley with a Shin Shoryuken.

Gouken's Amaoroshi has him simply lift and toss the opponent straight upward, causing no damage if they land on the ground afterward; it is the only move of its type to function in this way. As such, it provides a perfect opportunity for juggles and other attacks, such as the Tatsumaki Gorasen or his Super and Ultra Combos.

List of Normal Grabs/Throws
Note: Attacks with the ^ note were replaced or renamed in the Street Fighter IV games. Attacks with the + note were only used as air throws in the Street Fighter Alpha series.

Trivia

 * Ken is probably the only Street Fighter character to have a third throw (his knee throw), done same to his normal throws but without moving forward or backward. He does however have three normal throws in Street Fighter X Tekken.
 * Starting in Street Fighter Alpha 3, throw animations are now animated to be relative to the command direction pointed at, adding some realism to the animations. This enhancement has been carried over to 3rd Strike and onwards.
 * Both Gill and his brother, Urien, have the same Grabs but different names.