How To Do Osoto-Gari (Major Outer Reaping)

Basic Technique:

Osoto-Gari is difficult to execute in competition in its basic form however with a few tweaks it can be exceptionally powerful.

In its purest form Osoto-Gari is performed against an opponent standing square-on or slightly right-side on, the thrower steps forward with his left leg and plants his left foot close to and at the side of the opponents right foot.

The thrower then transfers his weight to his left leg and swings his right leg high in front of him between his own left leg and the opponents right leg. The thrower then drives his right leg backwards in a long sweeping motion striking the opponents right leg reaping it away and driving the opponent backwards onto the mat.

As the thrower steps in with his left leg he uses his sleeve and lapel grip to force all his opponents weight onto his right leg.

Advanced Help:

The problem with the basic technique in competition is stepping into an opponent who is physically strong is incredibly difficult and leaves you vulnerable to counter techniques backwards. One way of dealing with this is rather than the thrower stepping forward with his left leg and planting his left foot at the side of the opponents right leg, the thrower takes an exaggerated step to the side of the opponents right leg. This action doesn't require strength but the opponent cannot help moving all his weight onto his right leg making it easier to strike.

Competition Tips:

In most instances timing is everything in Judo however Osoto-Gari is a technique that can be applied to competition using power and speed.

A variation of the standard technique involves the thrower waiting until his opponent moves his weight onto his right leg at anytime either when he steps forward, backwards or in a sideways motion. Once this happens instead of the thrower stepping into his opponent with his left leg he leaves his left leg exactly where it is but instead strikes with his right leg as quickly as possible hooking any part of his right leg from the heal upwards behind his opponents right knee. The aim of this action is to collapse the opponents right leg at the knee. This action ensures the opponent cannot move or counter and it also ensures all the opponents weight is fixed onto the right leg.

Once the opponents right leg is buckled the thrower then hops his left leg forward to the same position as the basic technique i.e. to the side of the opponents right leg and once in position the thrower sweeps backwards with the right leg driving the opponent backwards and to the mat.

The arms also play a crucial part in this technique with the right hand lapel grip being used to strike the opponents left ear driving the head sideways over his right leg. The left arm is usually a low sleeve grip and whilst striking with the right leg you drive the opponents sleeve down towards the mat in a side ways motion and to your opponents right hand side.

You can also let go of the right hand lapel grip and drive your right arm around your opponents head squeezing it and driving it to your opponents right hand side. This also works well if you have a double lapel grip.

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