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    Morote-gari

    双手刈 · もろてがり · two-hand reap · said moh-ROH-teh GAH-ree

    Also known as double leg takedown (wrestling), double leg (BJJ)

    About this techniqueJump to step by stepPlain text version

    Barred in competition

    Demonstrations

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    Where this technique is not allowed

    Penalised in competition: current IJF rules answer any grip, block or push on the leg with the hand or arm with a shido, and taking both legs at once is the plainest case of it. Nothing restricts the technique outside contest, and the BJA sets it as a 5th Dan fundamental skill.

    Under contest rules

    Shido. Taking both legs with the hands draws a shido. Nothing about the throw itself is barred; it is the hands reaching the legs that the rule answers.

    Sport and Organisation Rules of the International Judo Federation: refereeing rules, 2026 edition, Article 18.1.2.

    Still taught, demonstrated and examined, so it is written up in full here. The restriction above is a contest rule, not a reason to skip it. See the prohibited techniques list.

    About this technique

    The two-handed leg reap: tori drops under the grips, wraps both hands behind uke's knees and drives through with the shoulder, taking both legs away. A Kodokan-recognised te-waza and a staple of wrestling and BJJ, it draws a shido in current IJF competition under the leg-grab rules, but remains legal to practise, appears in older and junior syllabuses, and is essential to recognise and defend.

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    A technique to reap and throw down the opponent by holding both of his legs from the outside in both hands.
    The Kodokan's definition

    Key points

    1. Change levels first: bend the knees, not the back
    2. Both hands behind the knees, shoulder tight to the body
    3. Drive through with the legs; pull the knees towards you

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    Te-waza (hand techniques)

    At a glance

    , classification, Gokyo set, Kodokan number, contest rules, grades that require it
    What it is
    Nage-waza (throwing techniques), Te-waza (hand techniques).
    Kodokan number
    112 (MGA).
    Contest rules
    Shido. Taking both legs with the hands draws a shido. Nothing about the throw itself is barred; it is the hands reaching the legs that the rule answers.
    Also written
    Ryo-ashi-dori.
    Required for

    Step by step

    These steps describe the standard right-handed form without relying on the video.

    1. From your own grips or as your partner reaches, bend both knees sharply so your head comes below their chest; keep your back straight.
    2. Step your right foot between their feet and drive forward, placing your right shoulder against their stomach or chest.
    3. Wrap both hands behind their knees, one behind each, palms pulling towards you.
    4. Drive forward and up with your legs while your hands pull their knees past your hips.
    5. Their legs come away and they fall onto their back; keep your head up and to the side, and lower them under control rather than spiking them.
    6. Note for competition: this technique is banned in current IJF contest rules; practise it for grading, ne-waza entries and defence.

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    Receiving it

    The warning is your partner's level dropping suddenly: their head leaves your upper zone and a shoulder plants into your middle, then both your knees are pulled forward while the shoulder keeps driving. Both legs go at once, so the fall is flat onto the back with little time to step out. Neither arm is held, so slap with both, chin tucked hard because the drive can carry you quickly. In practice, agree the pace first; taken gently it is a soft, flat landing.

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    VI judo notes

    VI judo contests start gripped up, which removes the shooting entry this throw is best known for; from contact it becomes a level-change you feel through the grips as your partner's arms drop away. Defending it is mostly tactile: the instant the head drops and a shoulder touches your middle, sprawl your hips back and take the head.

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    In competition

    , how often it scores at IJF level, and two contests where it worked

    Senior IJF competition, 2020 to 2026, from 73,099 contests. Counts scores, not attempts.

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    In combinations, counters and transitions

    , 3 awaiting review

    3 more pairs involving it are recorded and awaiting review before they get a page. A video that shows one of them is what gets it reviewed: suggest one.

    None recorded yet. Nobody has written down a counter to Morote-gari, or a combination it belongs to. You can suggest one.

    Reference pages elsewhere

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