A washing method and a washing machine, more specifically, to a washing method which improves a washing ability and a washing machine are disclosed. The washing method includes a laundry amount detecting step of detecting the amount of laundry loaded in a drum; and a high head motion step of dropping the laundry by braking the drum after the laundry is lifted over a half of the drum height by rotation of the drum, when the detected amount of the laundry is in a preset range.