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. In Street Fighter V, a few characters 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 (grapples). 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.

In Street Fighter X Tekken Rufus's forward throw was the only forward throw that could be comboed out of, however Rufus couldn't combo himself or Switch Cancel and this was only possible during Cross Assault or Scramble Battle by his partner.

Grab specific properties

In some games grabs received their own properties. In Street Fighter V for example throws can not be back teched, meaning after a grab there is only one way to quickrise. In Street Fighter X Tekken a throw takes away all Provisional Damage alongside doing it's own damage after the 2013 patch.

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
A.K.I.	Whisper (贔屓, Japanese: Bishi; Chinese: Bìxiè?)	Gluttony (饕餮, Japanese: Tōtetsu; Chinese: Taotie?, Avarice)	None
Abel	Drop Throw (内股投げ, Uchimata Nage?)	Pincer Throw (体落とし投げ, ​Taiotoshi Nage?)	None
Abigail	Red Leaf (レッドリーフ, Reddorīfu?)	Hit And Run (ヒットアンドラン, Hittoandoran?)	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?)+
Akira	Shin'Iha	Yoshisenrin	Kurakusho
Akuma	Shoulder Throw (背負い投げ, Seoi Nage?)^ Goshoha (豪衝破, Goshoha?)	Somersault Throw (巴投げ, Tomoe Nage?)^ Shuretsuzan (朱裂刀, Shuretsuzan?)	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 (ヘッドボマー, Heddo bomā?)*, Dirty Bomber (ダーティーボマー, Dātībomā?)	Lever Break (レバーブレイク, Rebābureiku?)*, Dirty Shot (ダーティーショット, Dātīshotto?)	Head Bomber+
Birdie	Bull Spike (ブルスパイク, Burusupaiku?)*, Bad Skull (バッドヘッド, Baddo heddo?)	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 Flip	Jungle Slam+ Wild Shoot+ Wild Bites
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?) Rough Landing	Frankensteiner (フランケンシュタイナー, Furankenshutainā?)*, Delta Through (デルタスルー, Derutasurū?) Delta Throw	Frankensteiner(backward) Flying Neck Hunt (フライングネックハント, Furaingunekkuhanto?)/Flying Neck Breaker* Neck Spiral Leg Scissors Choke
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, Tāgetto daun?)	Flying Buster Drop (フライングバスタードロップ, Furaingubasutādoroppu?) (forward)*, Air Jack (エアジャック, Eajakku?) (backward)
Chun-Li	Koshuto (虎襲倒, Koshuu Tou?)	Kirinshu (麒麟蹴, Kirinshuu?)Tenshin Shushu Taiji Fan	Ryuseiraku (龍星落, Ryuusei Raku?)
Cody	Prisoner Throw (プリズナースルー, Purizunāsurū?)*, Trash Out (トラッシュアウト, Torasshuauto?), Secret Work (シークレットワーク, Shīkuretto wāku?, V-Trigger only)	Bad Stamp^/Bad Stomp (バッドスタンプ, Baddosutanpu?)*, Crime Throw (クライムスルー, Kuraimusurū?)	Guilty Stamp (ギルティースタンプ, Girutīsutanpu?)*+
Dan	Shoulder Throw^ Gado Thrust (我道突き, Gadou Tsuki?) Saikyo Taikuzushi	Saikyo Haraigoshi (サイキョー払腰, Saikyō Haraigoshi?)	Otoko Nage (漢投げ, Otoko Nage?)+
Decapre	Shadow Suplex (シャドウスープレックス, Shadousūpurekkusu?)	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 Ranchi?) Diss Track	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 Splash	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
E. Honda	Saba Ori^ Sabaori (さば折り, Sabaori?)	Tawara Nage^ Rice Bale Throw (俵投げ, Tawara Nage?)	Tsuryani Nage (吊り屋根投げ, Tsuri Yane Nage?)+
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
Ed	Psycho Blow (サイコブロー, Saikoburō?) Face Buster	Cheat & Smash (チート&スマッシュ, Chīto ando sumasshu?) Rib Crusher	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?)
Elena	Leg Lift Throw (レッグリフトスルー, Reggurifutosurū?)	Body Slam^/Leg Hook (レッグフック, Reggufukku?)	None
Evil Ryu	Shoulder Throw	Somersault Throw	Shoulder Throw+
F.A.N.G	Shimonshu (死悶蹴, Shimonshu?)	Kyoshitsugeki (驚膝撃, Kyoshitsugeki?)	None
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?)
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 (バイオレンスプレジデント, Baiorensu purejidento?), Shining President (シャイニングプレジデント, Shainingu purejidento?)	Destroy President (デストロイプレジデント, Desutoroi purejidento?)	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 (ギルティーボム, Girutībomu?)	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 (フライングメイヤー, Furaingumeiyā?) (forward) Flying Buster Chop (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 (首折り, Kubi Ori?)	Tobizaru (翔び猿, Tobi zaru?)
Ingrid	Suncrack (サンクラック, Sankurakku?)	Light Punish (ライトバニッシュ, Raito Banisshu?)	Unnamed
Jamie	Back Shaver	Wheel Punch	None
JP	Ravina	Uragan	Tornado
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 (蜘穿脚, Chisenkyaku?) Spider Fang Throw	Assatsu Kick (圧殺脚, Assatsu Kyaku?)*, Kaeikyaku (苛影脚, Kaeikyaku?) Shadow Kick Throw	Zankasen (斬架閃, Zankasen?)
Kage	Shoulder Throw	Somersault Throw	None
Karin	Yashiro Kuzushi (社崩し, Yashiro kuzushi?)*, Hajotsui (破城槌, Hajotsui?)	Homura-geri (焔投げ, Homura nage?)*, Arakuma Inashi (荒熊いなし, 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 (つかみ膝蹴り, Tsukami hizageri?), Shoulder Throw*	Hell Wheel (地獄車, Jigoku guruma?)	Hell Windwheel (地獄風車, Jigoku Fuusha?)
Khyber	Neck Hanging Tree	Shoulder Throw	None
Kimberly	Ripcord Throw	Bell Ringer	None
Kolin	Pressure Ridge (プレッシャーリッジ, Puresshā rijji?)	Sublimation (サブリメーション, Saburimēshon?)	Avalanche Lock (アバランシュロック, Abaranshurokku?)
Laura	Seoi Throw (セオイスルー, Seoi surū?)	Pullback Hold (プルバックホールド, Purubakkuhōrudo?)	None
Lily	Canyon Throw	Falling Cliff	None
Lucia	German Suplex	Back-Carry Throw	None
Luke	Punisher Sweeper	Scrapper	None
M. Bison	Deadly Throw (デッドリースルー, Deddorīsurū?)*, Psycho Impact (サイコインパクト, Saiko Inpakuto?)	Death Tower (デスタワー, Desutawā?)*, Psycho Fall (サイコフォール, Saikofōru?)	Psycho Fall+
Maki	Shishigari (猪狩, Igari?)	Hiza Kamashi (膝かまし, Hiza kamashi?)	Head Bomber
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
Manon	Ouchi Gari	Uchi Mata	None
Marisa	Mounted Grace	Ponte Milvio	None
Menat	Overflowing Nile (ナイルの氾濫, Nairu no Hanran?)	Pyramid Hopscotch (オーバーザピラミッド, Ōbā za piramiddo?)	None
Necalli	Soul Sealer (魂の刻印, Tamashī no Kokuin?)	Soul Discriminator (魂の選別, Tamashī no Senbetsu?)	None
Necro	Shoulder Attack (ショルダーアタック, Shorudā Atakku?) German Suplex (ジャーマンスープレックス, Jāman sūpurekkusu?) (Back-turned)	Frankenstiener	None
Oni	Ragoshoha (羅豪双破, Ragoshoha?)	Shuretto (朱裂刀, Shuretto?)	None
Oro	Kubi-Jime Kataguruma (首絞め肩車, Kubi-Jime Kataguruma?) Yashi Kudaki	Tomoe Nage	Kuuchuu Jigoku Guruma (空中地獄車, Kuuchuu Jigoku Guruma?)
Poison	Slap Shot (スラップショット, Surappushotto?)	Frankensteiner	None
Q	Painful Strike (捕獲及び膝部を用いた痛打（仮）, Hokaku oyobi Shitsubu wo mochiita Tsūda (kari)?)	Vicious Impact (捕獲及び投擲による墜落衝撃（仮）, Hokaku oyobi Tōteki niyoru Tsuiraku Shōgeki (kari)?)	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?)*, Sell Down (セルダウト, Serudauto?)	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・グライド, Raidingu guraido?) Rider Glider	Rising Sun (ライジング・サン, Raijingu san?) Sunset Drop	Desert Slider
Remy	Crazed Like Waltz (ヴァルスのように狂おしく, Valse no you ni Kuruoshiku?)	Disturbed Sleep Outline (眠りを乱すコントゥール, 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 Drain (ソウルドレイン, Souru dorein?)	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 (花風, Hanakaze?)	Sakura-jime (さくら絞め, Sakura-jime?)^ Choba Throw (跳馬投げ, Chōba nage?)*, Sakura Shoulder Throw (さくら背負い, Sakura Seoi?)	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), Shoulder Throw (Console)	None
Sean	Soei Throw (セオイスルー, Seoisurō?)	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	Death Throw (デススルー, Desu surū?)	None
Sodom	Shogun Throw (ショウグンスルー, Shōgun surū?)	Shogun Throw	Daimyo Throw (ダイミョウスルー, Daimyō surū?)
T. Hawk	Elbow Stomping (エルボーストンピング, Erubōsutonpingu?)^/Neck Hanging Tree	Mexican Throw (メキシカンスルー, Mekishikansurū?)	Condor Hunting (コンドルハンティング, Kondoruhantingu?)+
Twelve	H.U.G., F.L.G.	T.R.W.	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 (デストロイクロー, Desutoroikurō?)*, Spartan Bomb	Spartan Bomb (スパルタンボム, Suparutanbomu?)	None
Yang	Hiza Geri (膝蹴り, Hiza Geri?)^ Youhon Shiun (鷹翻飛雲, Youhon Shiun?)	Monkey Flip^/ Ento Shugeki (猿頭蹴撃, Ento Shugeki?)	Monkey Flip+
Yun	Hiza Geri^ Gekitei Futai (戟躰風颱, Gekitei Futai?)	Monkey Flip^/ Ento Shugeki	Monkey Flip+
Zangief	Back Drop (バックドロップ, Bakku doroppu?)^, Stomach Claw (ストマッククロー, Sutomakku Kurō?)^, 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?) German Suplex Spine Buster	Kamitsuki (噛み付き, Kamitsuki?)^, Piledriver (パイルドライバー, Pairudoraibā?)^, Brain Buster*, Captured (キャプチュード, Kyapuchūdo?) Russian Drop	Piledriver+
Zeku (Old)	Tsurigane Otoshi (釣鐘落とし, Tsurigane Otoshi?)	Mikoshi (神輿, Mikoshi?)	None
Zeku (Young)	Tesso (鉄鼠, Tesso?)	Raiju (雷獣, 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.

SFXT All Throws

All the throws and Air Throws from Street Fighter X Tekken.

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.
• As of Street Fighter V, there are throws that affects crouched opponents. The first ones to have such trait were R. Mika and Zangief. Later, as of Arcade Edition, G also gained a throw that affects crouched targets.

• Some 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.
  • Ken follows suit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, keeping his Hell Wheel as his back throw.

• Ibuki's Raida is the only special attack that has a strike hitbox but has the followup properties of a throw.

• Makoto is the only character that has a regular throw that doesn't knock down the opponent.
• Gouken is the only character in the Street Fighter IV series that has a regular throw that doesn't deal damage (his back throw, as mentioned earlier on).
• Because Zangief had six regular throws in Street Fighter II, this is very likely a key reason that future games would limit the number of throws to two or three for each characters in future installments (for balancing reasons).
• In Street Fighter 6, each character has unique lines of dialogue for countering a whiffed or blocked attack with a throw.