Grabs, also referring to interchangeably as throws, are attacks available to each character in the Street Fighter series.
| Game | Forward Throw | Backward Throw |
|---|---|---|
| Street Fighter Alpha, Street Fighter Alpha 2 Street Fighter II series Street Fighter III: New Generation Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact Street Fighter EX and Street Fighter EX 2 Street Fighter: The Movie (games) |
( or  ) + ( or  )
|
( or ) + ( or  )
|
| Street Fighter Alpha 3 | ( or ) + 
|
( or ) + 
|
| Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Street Fighter IV series Street Fighter EX 3 |
( +)  + 
|
+ +
|
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.
| User | Forward Throw | Backward Throw | Air Throw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abel | Drop Throw (スローにドロップ Suroo ni doroppu?) | Pincer Throw (挟撃投げ Kyōgeki 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] (ジャガー投げ Jagā nage?)+ |
| Akuma | Shoulder Throw (背負い投げ Seoi Nage?)^ Goshoha (豪衝破?) |
Somersault Throw (巴投げ Tomoe Nage?)^ Shuretto (朱裂刀?) |
Hell Wheel (地獄風車 Jigoku Guruma?)+ |
| Balrog (Boxer) | Head Bomber (ヘッドボンバー Heddobonbā?) | Lever Break (レバーブレイク Rebābureiku?) | Head Bomber+ |
| Birdie | Bull Spike (ブルスパイク Burusupaiku?) | Bad Throw (悪い投げ Warui nage?) | Bad Scrap (悪いスクラップ Warui sukurappu?) |
| 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 Hoiiru?) | Jungle Slam+ Wild Shoot+ |
| C. Viper | Ab Fitness | Temple Massage (寺のメッセージ Tera no messēji?) | None |
| Cammy | Hooligan Suplex (フーリガンスープレックス Fūrigansūpurekkusu?) | Frankensteiner | Frankensteiner(backward)^+ Flying Neck Hunt/Flying Neck Breaker |
| Charlie | Dragon Suplex (ドラゴンスープレックス Doragonsūpurekkusu?) | Knee Gatling (膝のガトリング Hiza no gatoringu?) | Flying Buster Drop (forward) Airjack (backward) |
| Chun-Li | Koshuto (虎襲倒 Koshuu Tou?) | Kirinshu (麒麟蹴 Kirinshuu?) | Ryuseiraku (龍星落 Ryuusei Raku?) |
| Cody | Prisoner Throw (囚人投げ Shūjin nage?) | Bad Stamp^/Bad Stomp (悪いスタンプ/バッド·ストンプ Warui sutanpu?) | Guilty Stamp+ |
| Dan | Shoulder Throw (背負い投げ Seoi Nage?)^ Gado Thrust (ガドガドスラスト Gadogadosurasuto?) |
Saikyo Haraigoshi | Otoko Nage+ |
| Dee Jay | Funky Shout Throw (ファンキーなシャウト投げ Fankīna shauto nage?)^ Swing Over Launch (打ち上げ上の振り Uchiage-jō no furi?) |
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 Throw (ヨガ投げ Yoga nage?) | Yoga Trip+ |
| Dudley | Kidney Crusher (腎臓クラッシャー Jinzō kurasshā?) | Dynamite Throw (ダイナマイト投げ Dainamaito nage?) | None |
| Eagle | Fool On Pile (パイルにフール Pairu ni fūru?) | 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+ |
| El Fuerte | Tepache Bomb | Chili Mexicano (唐辛子メキシ Tōgarashi mekishi?) | Sky Sorpressa Drop |
| Evil Ryu | Shoulder Throw | Somersault Throw | Shoulder Throw+ |
| Fei Long | Seichuu Renten Geki^ Shushugai |
Shuu Kubi Kari^ Tenshou Tousaikyaku |
Shuu Kubi Raku+ |
| Gen | Juraku^/Shuraku | Hozen | Shuuga+ |
| Gouken | Raikotokyaku | Amaoroshi | None |
| Guile | Dragon Suplex | Judo Throw | Flying Mare (forward) Flying Buster Drop (backward) |
| Guy | Tsukami Nage^/Grab Throw ( Dori Nage?) | Shoulder Throw | Izuna Otoshi+ |
| Hakan | Hakan Throw (ハカン投げ Hakan nage?) | Hakan Reverse (ハカンリバース Hakanribāsu?) | Hakan Stomp (ハカン·ストンプ Hakan sutonpu?) |
| Ibuki | Yami Kazura (闇カズラ Yami kazura?) | Uki Yami (宇城闇 Ushiro yami?) | Tobizaru |
| Ingrid | Suncrack | Light Punish (光は処罰 Hikari wa shobatsu?) | Unnamed |
| Juli | Hooligan Suplex (フーリガンスープレックス Fūrigansūpurekkusu?) | Frankensteiner | Frankensteiner (backward) Flying Neck Hunt |
| Juni | Hooligan Suplex (フーリガンスープレックス Fūrigansūpurekkusu?) | Frankensteiner | Frankensteiner (backward) Flying Neck Hunt |
| Juri | Karen Kick (苛連脚 Karen Kyaku?) | Assatsu Kick | None |
| Karin | Yashiro Kuzushi (八代くずし Yashiro kuzushi?) | Homura-geri (ほむらジェリ Homura jeri?) | Abise Yashiro Kuzushi |
| Ken | Tsukami Game^/Shoulder Throw | Hell Wheel | None |
| Maki | Shishigari | Hiza Kamashi | Head Bomber |
| M. Bison | Deadly Throw (デッドリー ・スルー?) | Death Tower (死亡の塔 Shibō no tō?) | Psycho Fall (サイコ秋 Saiko aki?)+ |
| 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 Hiyiotoshi Sanren Tsuki Araiso?) | None |
| Oni | Ragoshoha (羅豪衝破) | Shuretto (朱裂刀) | None |
| R. Mika | German Suplex (ドイツ語スープレックス Doitsugo sūpurekkusu?) | Brain Buster, Headbutt (脳バスター Nō basutaa?) | Hip Buster Neck Breaker |
| Rolento | Colonel Carrier (大佐キャリア Taisa kyaria?) | Deadly Package (致命的なパッケージ Chimei-tekina pakkēji?) | Fatality Package (致死パッケージ Chishi pakkēji?) |
| Rose | Soul Drain^/Soul Fall | Soul Loop | Soul Fade+ |
| Rufus | Head Bazooka | Hand Machinegun | None |
| Ryu | Shoulder Throw | Somersault Throw | Shoulder Throw+ |
| Sagat | Tiger Rage | Tiger Carry | Tiger Carry+ |
| Sakura | Sailor Shoot^/Sailor Shot | Sakura-jime^ Choba Throw |
Sailor Fly+ |
| Seth | Genocide Shot | Death Throw | None |
| Sodom | Shogun Throw | Shogun Throw | Daimyo Throw |
| T. Hawk | Neck Hanging Tree | Mexican Throw | Condor Hunting+ |
| Vega | Rainbow Suplex | Crescent Line | Crescent Line+ Stardust Drop |
| Yang | Hiji Geki^ Youhon Shiun |
Monkey Flip^ Ento Shugeki |
Monkey Flip+ |
| Yun | Hiji Geki^ Gekitei Futai |
Monkey Flip^ Ento Shugeki |
Monkey Flip+ |
| Zangief | Backdrop^, Stomach Claw^ Body Slam (ボヂィスラム Bodi Suramu?) |
Kamitsuki^, Piledriver^ Brain Buster (ブレーンバスター Bureen Basutaa?) |
Piledriver+ |
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 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.