Waza Book

    Search every technique, Japanese word, grade, guide and combination.

    Browse instead: all techniques A to Z

    O-soto-gari

    大外刈 · major outer reap

    Also known as outside leg trip (English)

    Jump to step by step

    Demonstrations

    Ordered by provider, player included. Choose your own order.

    Seen a better demonstration? Suggest a video

    Illustration: source not recorded. Rights and removal
    O-soto-gari illustration

    Step by step

    The whole movement in words, so no part of it depends on watching a video. Described in the standard right-handed form.

    1. From a right-handed grip, step your left foot forward beside the outside of your partner's right foot, close enough that your chests nearly touch.
    2. As you step, drive both hands so their weight tips over their right heel: sleeve hand pulling down and out, lapel hand pressing towards their rear corner. Their right leg is now carrying their weight.
    3. Swing your right leg forward past theirs, then reap it back hard, the back of your thigh and calf cutting through the back of their right thigh and calf.
    4. Let your head and chest drive forward and down as the leg reaps back, like a see-saw: leg goes back, chest goes forward.
    5. Their supporting leg is taken away and they fall straight back. Keep hold of the sleeve and pull up on it as they land, so the fall is broken.

    Receiving it

    Your weight is pressed back over your right heel, their chest close, and then your supporting leg is reaped away: the fall is straight backwards and can be fast. Tuck your chin hard so the back of your head never reaches the mat, and slap with your free arm as your back lands. The held sleeve should lift you a little; expect this one to knock the wind if you land flat, and breathe out as you fall.

    About this technique

    Tori steps beside uke, breaks balance to uke's rear corner, and reaps the supporting leg away from the outside with a large sweep of the leg.

    Key points

    1. Break balance backwards over uke's heel before you reap
    2. Chest stays close: head forward, leg back like a see-saw
    3. Reap through the thigh with your calf, toes pointed

    Ashi-waza (foot and leg techniques) · Gokyo 1st set

    In combinations, counters and transitions

    Know another? Suggest a combination or counter.

    Reference pages elsewhere