How are throws scored in sambo?
B · Beginner · Scoring and winning · 2 of 4Checked 15 October 2026
A throw is scored by whether the attacker stays on their feet, whether the defender started standing or down, and how the defender lands. Staying up while landing a standing defender on the back is a perfect throw, an outright win. Other throws score 4, 2 or 1 point.
How it works
- Factors: attacker's fall, defender's start, landing.
- Perfect throw: outright win.
- 4 points: standing throw, defender on side.
- 4 points: throw with fall, defender on back.
- 2 points: standing throw, defender on chest or seat.
- 1 point: throw with fall, defender on chest.
- Counter: must change the fall.
- Roll-over: not scored.
The glossary has the throw, the throw with a fall, the scoring of throws, the perfect throw, the counter-throw and the roll-over.
Tricky cases
The attacker falls too, defender on the back. Score?
4 points.
The defender falls the same way despite countering. Whose throw?
The attacker's.
A defender on the ground is thrown onto the back without the attacker falling. Score?
4 points.
Does a roll-over on the ground score?
No.
Why the rule exists
Rewarding throws where the attacker stays up favours control over desperate attacks.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect | Outright | L SS 28.1a |
| Four | Several ways | L SS 30.2 |
| One | Lowest throws | L SS 30.4 |
From the rule book
FIAS, International SAMBO Rules: Sport SAMBO, articles 23.B, 28 and 30. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: FIAS International SAMBO Rules (Sport and Combat).