Grabs and Throws

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

Description

Gif animation of Chun-Li using her Koshuto on Karin.

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, and in the Street Fighter V games, there are a few characters that even have throws targeting the crouching opponent.

Tactics

Forward throws 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. Some Grabs (Like the Brain Buster or the Head Bomber) will not throw the opponent but instead deal rapid prolong damage to the grappled foe. A few throws may even work as 'graps' (a combination of a grab and a grapple) which a user deals one or more hits followed by a 'final' blow which either pushes or throws the opponent away (T. Hawk's Neck Hanging Tree and Yun's Gekitei Futai in the Street Fighter IV series works like a grap).

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 replaced or renamed in the Street Fighter V games. Attacks with the + note were only used as air throws in the Street Fighter Alpha series.

User	Forward Throw	Backward Throw	Air Throw
Abigail	Red Leaf (レッドリーフ, Reddorīfu?)	Hit And Run (ヒットアンドラン, Hittoandoran?)	None
Abel	Drop Throw (内股投げ, Uchimata Nage?)	Pincer Throw (体落とし投げ, ​Taiotoshi Nage?)	None
Adon	Jaguar Carry (ジャガーキャリー, Jagākyarī?)	Jaguar Slam (ジャガースラム, Jagāsuramu?)	Jaguar Stab [forward] (ジャガースタブ, Jagāsutabu?)+ Jaguar Throw [backward] (ジャガースルー, Jagāsurū?)+
Akuma	Shoulder Throw (背負い投げ, Seoi Nage?)^ Goshoha (豪衝破, Goshoha?)	Somersault Throw (巴投げ, Tomoe Nage?)^ Shuretto (朱裂刀, Shuretto?)	Hell Wheel (地獄車, Jigoku Guruma?)+
Alex	Body Slam (ボディスラム, Bodisuramu?)*,Face-Crush Chop (フェイスクラッシュチョップ, Feisukurasshuchoppu?)	Leg Tomahawk (レッグトマホーク, Reggutomahōku?)	None
Arkane	Neck Hanging Tree (ネック吊り木, Nekku tsuri ki?)	Shoulder Throw	None
Balrog	Head Bomber (ヘッド爆撃, Heddo bakugeki-ki?)*, Dirty Bomber (汚い爆撃機, Kitanai bakugeki-ki?)	Lever Break (レバーブレイク, Rebābureiku?)*, Dirty Shot (ダーティショット, Dātishotto?)	Head Bomber+
Birdie	Bull Spike (ブルスパイク, Burusupaiku?)*, Bad Skull (悪いスカル, Warui sukaru?)	Bad Throw (バッドスルー, Baddosurū?)*, Bad Chain (バッドチェーン, Baddochēn?)	Bad Scrap (バッドスクラップ, Baddosukurappu?)
Blade	Neck Hanging Tree	Shoulder Throw	None
Blanka	Wild Fang (ワイルドファング, Wairudo Fangu?)	Jungle Wheel (ジャングルホイール, Janguru Hoīru?)	Jungle Slam+ Wild Shoot+
C. Viper	Ab Fitness (アブフィットネス, Abufittonesu?)	Temple Massage (テンプルマッサージ, Tenpurumassāji?)	None
Cammy	Hooligan Suplex (フーリガンスープレックス, Fūrigansūpurekkusu?)*, Gyro Clipper (ジャイロクリッパー, Jairokurippā?)	Frankensteiner (フランケンシュタイナー, Furankenshutainā?)*, Delta Through (デルタスルー, Derutasurū?)	Frankensteiner(backward)^+ Flying Neck Hunt (フライングネックハント, Furaingunekkuhanto?)/Flying Neck Breaker*
Charlie	Dragon Suplex (ドラゴンスープレックス, Doragonsūpurekkusu?)	Knee Gatling (ニーガトリング, Nīgatoringu?)*, Target Down (ターゲットダウン, Tāgettodaun?)	Flying Buster Drop (フライングバスタードロップ, Furaingubasutādoroppu?) (forward)*, Airjack (エアジャック, Eajakku?) (backward)
Chun-Li	Koshuto (虎襲倒, Koshuu Tou?)	Kirinshu (麒麟蹴, Kirinshuu?)	Ryuseiraku (龍星落, Ryuusei Raku?)
Cody	Prisoner Throw (プリズナースルー, Purizunāsurū?)*, Trash Out (ゴミ箱, Gomibako?), Secret Work (秘密の仕事, Himitsu no shigoto?, V-Trigger only)	Bad Stamp^/Bad Stomp (バッドスタンプ, Baddosutanpu?)*, Crime Throw (犯罪を投げる, Hanzai o nageru?)	Guilty Stamp (ギルティースタンプ, Girutīsutanpu?)*+
Dan	Shoulder Throw^ Gado Thrust (我道突き, Gadou Tsuki?)	Saikyo Haraigoshi (サイキョー払腰, Saikyō Haraigoshi?)	Otoko Nage (漢投げ, Otoko Nage?)+
Decapre	Shadow Suplex (影の二重, Kage no nijū?)	Frankensteiner	Flying Neck Hunt
Dee Jay	Funky Shout Throw (ファンキーシャウトスルー, Fankī Shauto Surū?)^ Swing Over Launch (スイングオーバーランチ, Suingu Ōbā Ranch?)	Monkey Flip (モンキーフリップ, Monkīfurippu?)^ Flip Throw	Monkey Flip+
Dhalsim	Yoga Smash (ヨガスマッシュ, Yogasumasshu?)*, Yoga Rocket (ヨガロケット, Yogaroketto?)	Yoga Throw (ヨガスルー, Yogasurū?)*, Yoga Hoop (ヨガフープ, Yogafūpu?)	Yoga Trip (ヨガ旅行, Yoga ryokō?)+
Dudley	Kidney Crusher (レバークラッシャー, Rebā Kurasshā?)	Dynamite Throw (ダイナマイトスルー, Dainamaito Surū?)	None
Eagle	Fool On Pile (フールオンパイル, Fūru On Pairu?)	Percussion Fool (パーカッションフール, Pākasshonfūru?)	Unnamed
E. Honda	Tawara Nage^ Sabaori (さば折り, Sabaori?)	Saba Ori^ Rice Bale Throw (俵投げ, Tawara Nage?)	Tsuryani Nage (吊り屋根投げ, Tsuri Yane Nage?)+
Ed	Psycho Blow (サイコブロウ, Saikoburou?)	Cheat and Smash (チートとスマッシュ, Chīto to sumasshu?)	None
Elena	Leg Lift Throw (レッグリフトスロー, Reggurifutosurō?)	Body Slam^/Leg Hook (レッグフック, Reggufukku?)	None
El Fuerte	Tepache Bomb (テパッチェ・ボム, Tepacche Bomu?)	Chili Mexicano (チレ・メヒカーノ, Chire Mehikāno?)	Sky Sorpressa Drop (スカイ・ソルプレッサ・トラップ, Sukai Sorupuressa Torappu?)
Evil Ryu	Shoulder Throw	Somersault Throw	Shoulder Throw+
F7	Neck Hanging Tree	Shoulder Throw	None
Falke	Wirbel Wind (ヴィルベルヴィント, Vu iruberuvu into?)	Luftstrom (ルフトシュトローム, Rufutoshutorōmu?)	Windstoss (ヴィントシュトース, Vu intoshutōsu?)
F.A.N.G	Shimonshu (下文, Shimonshu?)	Kyoshitsugeki (京セツゲ, Kyoshitsugeki?)	None
Fei Long	Seichuu Renten Geki (正中連点撃, Seichuu Renten Geki?)^ Shushugai (襲首刈, Shuushugai?)	Shuu Kubi Kari (シュウクビカリ, Shuu Kubi Kari?)^ Tenshou Tousaikyaku (天昇頭砕脚, Tenshou Tousaikyaku?)	Shuu Kubi Raku (襲首落, Shuushuraku?)+
G	Violence President (暴力大統領, Bōryoku daitōryō?), Shining President (輝く大統領, Kagayaku daitōryō?)	Destroy President (大統領を破棄する, Daitōryō o haki suru?)	None
Gen	Juraku (囚掠, Juraku?)^/Shuraku (シュラク, Shuraku?)	Hozen (封前, Houzen?)	Shuuga (首臥, Shuuga?)+
Gill	Impact Claw (インパクトクロー, Inpakutokurō?)	Guilty Bomb (刑事爆弾, Keiji bakudan?)	None
Gouken	Raikotokyaku (雷光投脚, Raikotokyaku?)	Amaoroshi (天颪, Amaoroshi?)	None
Guile	Dragon Suplex	Judo Throw (ジュードースルー, Judo Throw?)	Flying Mare (フライングマーレ, Furaingumāre?) (forward) Flying Buster Drop (backward)
Guy	Tsukami Nage^/Grab Throw (グラブ投げる, Gurabu nageru?)	Shoulder Throw	Izuna Otoshi (イズナ落とし, Izuna Otoshi?)+
Hakan	Hakan Throw (ハカンスルー, Hakansurū?)	Hakan Reverse (ハカンリバース, Hakanribāsu?)	Hakan Stomp (ハカンスタンプ, Hakansutanpu?)
Hugo	Neck Hanging Tree	Body Slam	None
Ibuki	Yamikazura (闇葛, Yami kazura?)	Uki Yami (浮き闇, Uki yami?)*, Kubi Ori (クビオリ, Kubi Ori?)	Tobizaru (翔び猿, Tobi zart?)
Ingrid	Suncrack (サンクラック, Sankurakku?)	Light Punish (ライトバニッシュ, Raito Banisshu?)	Unnamed
Juli	Hooligan Suplex	Frankensteiner	Frankensteiner (backward) Flying Neck Hunt
Juni	Hooligan Suplex	Frankensteiner	Frankensteiner (backward) Flying Neck Hunt
Juri	Karen Kick (苛連脚, Karen Kyaku?)*', Chisenkyaku (チセンキャク, Chisenkyaku?)	Assatsu Kick (圧殺脚, Assatsu Kyaku?)*, Kaeikyaku (カイキャク, Kaeikyaku?)	Zankasen (ザンカセン, Zankasen?)
Karin	Yashiro Kuzushi (社崩し, Yashiro kuzushi?)*, Hajotsui (ハジョツイ, Hajotsui?)	Homura-geri (焔投げ, Homura nage?)*, Arakuma Inashi (アラクマインアシ, Arakuma Inashi?)	Abise Yashiro Kuzushi (浴びせ社崩し, Abise yashiro kuzushi?)+
Ken	Tsukami Nage (つかみネージ, Tsukami Nage?)^/ Knee Bash (ニーバッシュ, Nībasshu?), Shoulder Throw*	Hell Wheel (地獄の車輪, Jigoku no sharin?)	Hell Windwheel (地獄風車, Jigoku Fuusha?)
Khyber	Neck Hanging Tree	Shoulder Throw	None
Kolin	Pressure Ridge (圧力リッジ, Atsuryoku rijji?)	Sublimation (昇華, Shōka?)	Avalanche Lock (アバランシェロック, Abaransherokku?)
Laura	Seoi Throw (西井投手, Nishii tōshu?)	Pullback Hold (プルバックホールド, Purubakkuhōrudo?)	None
Maki	Shishigari (猪狩, Igari?)	Hiza Kamashi (膝かまし, Hiza kamashi?)	Head Bomber
M. Bison	Deadly Throw (デッドリースルー, Deddorīsurū?)*, Psycho Impact (サイコ衝撃, Saiko shōgeki?)	Death Tower (デスタワー, Desutawā?)*, Psycho Fall (サイコフォール, Saikofōru?)	Psycho Fall+
Makoto	Head Butt (引き寄せ頭突き・塔頭, Hikiyose Zutsuki Tacchuu?)	Triple Threat (肘落とし三連突き・荒磯, Hijiotoshi Sanren Tsuki Araiso?)	None
Menat	Overflowing Nile (溢れるナイル, Afureru Nairu?)	Pyramid Hopscotch (ピラミッドホップスコッチ, Piramiddohoppusukotchi?)	None
Necalli	Soul Sealer (ソウルシーラー, Sourushīrā?)	Soul Discriminator (魂の弁別器, Tamashī no benbetsuki?)	None
Necro	Shoulder Attack (肩の攻撃, Kata no kōgeki?), German Suplex (ジャーマンスープレックス, Jāman sūpurekkusu?) (Back-turned)	Frankenstiener	None
Oni	Ragoshoha (ラゴショハ, Ragoshoha ?)	Shuretto (シュレット, Shuretto?)	None
Oro	Kubi-jime Kataguruma (クビジムカタガルマ, Kubi-jime Kataguruma?)	Somersault Throw	Kuuchuu Jigoku Guruma (九州地獄球磨, Kuuchuu Jigoku Guruma?)
Poison	Slapshot (スラップショット, Surappushotto?)	Frankensteiner	None
Q	Painful Strike (痛烈なストライク, Tsūretsuna sutoraiku?)	Vicious Impact (悪質な影響, Akushitsuna eikyō?)	None
R. Mika	German Suplex*, Daydream Headlock (デイドリームヘッドロック, Deidorīmuheddorokku?), Dream Driver (ドリームドライバー, Dorīmudoraibā?)	Brain Buster (ブレーンバスター, Burēn basutā?)*, Headbutt (ヘッドバット, Heddobatto?)*, Selldown (売り下ろし, Uri oroshi?)	Hip Buster (ヒップバスター, Hippu basutā?)+, Neck Breaker (ネックブリーカー, Nekku burīkā?)+
Rashid	Riding Glider (ライディンググライダー, Raidinguguraidā?)	Rising Sun (朝日, Asahi?)	None
Remy	Crazed Like Waltz (ヴァルのノーあなたにこくしく , Valse no you ni Kuruoshiku?)	Disturbed Sleep Outline (眠りの輪郭, Nemuri wo Midasu Contour?)	None
Rolento	Colonel Carrier (カーネルキャリア, Kāneru kyaria?)	Deadly Package (デッドリーパッケージ, Deddorī pakkēji?)	Fatality Package (フェイタリティーパッケージ, Feitaritī pakkēji?)+
Rose	Soul Drain (ソウルドレイン, Souru dorein?)^/Soul Fall (ソウルフォール, Souru fōru?)	Soul Loop (ソウルループ, Souru rūpu?)	Soul Fade (ソウルフェイド, Souru feido?)+
Rufus	Head Bazooka (ヘッドバズーカ, Heddo bazūka?)	Hand Machinegun (ハンドマシンガン, Hando mashingan?)	None
Ryu	Shoulder Throw	Somersault Throw	Shoulder Throw+
Sagat	Tiger Rage (タイガーレイジ, Taigā reiji?)*, Tiger Hang (タイガーハング, Taigāhangu?)	Tiger Carry (タイガーキャリー, Taigā kyarī?)/ Tiger Swing	Tiger Carry+
Sakura	Sailor Shoot (セーラーシュート, Sērā shūto?)^/Sailor Shot*, Hanakaze (花かぜ, Hanakaze?)	Sakura-jime (さくら絞め, Sakura-jime?)^ Choba Throw (チョーバ投げ, Chōba nage?)*, Sakura shoulder throw (さくらショルダースロー, Sakura shorudāsurō?)	Sailor Fly (セーラーフライ, Sērā furai?)+*, Sailor Hop (セーラーホップ, Sērāhoppu?)
Sawada	Face Punch (フェイスパンチ, Feisupanchi?) (Arcade), Shoulder Throw (Console)	Back Slam (バックスラム, Bakkusuramu?) (Arcade)	None
Sean	Seoi Throw	Tomoe Throw (トモエスロー, Tomoesurō?)	None
Seth	Genocide Shot (ジェノサイドシュート, Jenosaido shūto?)	Death Throw (デススルー, Desu surū?)	None
Sodom	Shogun Throw (将軍投げ, Shōgun nage?)	Shogun Throw	Daimyo Throw (大名投げ, Daimyō nage?)
T. Hawk	Elbow Stomping (肘打ち, Hiji-uchi?)^/Neck Hanging Tree	Mexican Throw (メキシカンスロー, Mekishikansurō?)	Condor Hunting (コンドルハンティング, Kondoruhantingu?)+
Twelve	H.U.G. (抱擁, Hōyō?, Hug), F.L.G. (フロッグ, Furoggu?, Flog)	T.R.W. (スロー, Surō?, Throw)	None
Vega	Rainbow Suplex (レインボースプレックス, Reinbōsupurekkusu?)	Crescent Line (クレセントライン, Kuresentorain?)	Crescent Line+ Stardust Drop (スターダストドロップ, Sutādasutodoroppu?)*, Stardust Shot (スターダストショット, Sutādasutoshotto?)
Violent Ken	Shoulder Throw, Knee Bash	Hell Wheel	Hell Windwheel
Urien	Destroy Claw (クローを破壊する, Kurō o hakai suru?)*, Spartan Bomb	Spartan Bomb (スパルタン爆弾, Suparutan bakudan?)	None
Yang	Hiza Geri (ヒザゲリ, Hiza Geri?)^ Youhon Shiun (ユホン・シウン, Youhon Shiun?)	Monkey Flip^/ Ento Shugeki (エント・シュゲキ, Ento Shugeki?)	Monkey Flip+
Yun	Hiza Geri^ Gekitei Futai (二階二人, Gekitei Futai?)	Monkey Flip^/ Ento Shugeki	Monkey Flip+
Zangief	Back Drop (バックドロップ, Bakku doroppu?)^, Stomach Claw (胃の爪, I no tsume?)^, Body Slam*, Atomic Drop (アトミックドロップ, Atomikkudoroppu?), Horosho Chokeslam (ハラショーチョークスラム, Harashōchōkusuramu?)	Kamitsuki (カミツキ, Kamitsuki?)^, Piledriver (杭打ち機, Kuiuchiki?)^, Brain Buster*, Captured (キャプチャ, Kyapucha?)	Piledriver+
Zeku (Old)	Tsurigane Otoshi (ツリガネオトシ, Tsurigane Otoshi?)	Mikoshi (ミコシ, Mikoshi ?)	None
Zeku (Young)	Tesso (テッソ, Tesso?)	Raiju (ライジュ, Raiju?)	None

Sprites

For the full sprite gallery, see Grabs and Throws/Sprites.

Video

SSFIV AE Throws

All the throws from Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition.

Trivia

• Ken, Yun, Yang, Twelve and R. Mika are some of the Street Fighter characters that have three (or more) throws.

• Guile is the only character in Street Fighter V to not only have two aerial throws, but also the only character to have four throws.

• Since Street Fighter Alpha 3, throws are done by pressing ( or ) + ( or ). In 3rd Strike, this was changed to pressing ( or ) +  + . This has been carried over to new Street Fighter games.

• Newer Street Fighter games, such as Street Fighter Alpha 3, had throw animations have been made to animate relative to the command direction pressed at the time the command was pulled off. This meant that throw animations looked more fluid and realistic, rather than look static from merely being flipped in a blink of an eye. This is most evident with Ryu's shoulder (or punch) throw serving as a comparison from Alpha 2 and Alpha 3. This trend has been carried over to newer games, especially in 2.5D/3D graphics such as Street Fighter IV and beyond.

• Both Gill and his brother, Urien, have the same grabs but different names, reflecting each of their personalities. This trait is also seen with Ryu and Ken.

• Q's grabs (like most of his moves) are roughly translated and shortened from the original Japanese manual.

• Ryu's throws are his forward and back throws in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U.