Osoto Gari, or Major Outer Reap, is a judo throw where the attacker reaps the opponent's leg from the outside using their own leg, combined with an upper-body pull to break the opponent's balance backward.

How do you execute the mechanics of Osoto Gari?

The attacker establishes upper-body grips, steps the lead foot to the outside of the opponent's same-side foot, and pulls the opponent's upper body in the opposite direction. The attacker then reaps the opponent's same-side leg with the lead leg to break their balance.

What are common mistakes when performing Osoto Gari?

Common errors include reaping without simultaneously pulling the upper body, positioning the foot too far from the opponent, failing to commit body weight into the reaping leg, and attempting the throw against opponents with upright posture.

How can Osoto Gari be defended?

Defensively, Osoto Gari can be countered by maintaining upright posture, stepping back when the attacker initiates the outside-foot step, or base-shifting backward to deny the reaping angle.

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OSOTO GARI (MAJOR OUTER REAP)

Osoto Gari (Grande Ceifa Externa)

In Short

Osoto Gari is a judo reaping throw that translates effectively to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a takedown or clinch entry. The technique involves stepping the lead foot outside the opponent's leg while pulling their upper body to break their backward balance.

Also known as: Osoto Gari, Major Outer Reap

Osoto gari is the canonical judo reaping throw in which the attacker reaps the opponent's leg from outside using the attacker's own leg as the reaping tool, combined with upper-body pulling to break the opponent's balance backward. The technique is one of the highest-percentage judo throws and translates effectively to BJJ as both a takedown and a clinch-engagement entry.

The mechanics begin with the attacker establishing upper-body grips. The attacker steps the lead foot to the outside of the opponent's same-side foot, simultaneously pulling the opponent's upper body in the opposite direction of the step. The attacker then reaps the opponent's same-side leg with the lead leg (the 'osoto' or 'major outer' reap — the leg sweeps from outside to inside in a wide arc). The combined upper-body pull, foot step, and leg reap break the opponent's balance backward and produce the throw.

Osoto gari has been integrated into BJJ from judo. Notable practitioners include various judo-rooted BJJ competitors and the broader gi competitive roster. The technique is particularly effective when the opponent is leaning forward (giving up backward base), and pairs particularly well with collar-grip setups that pull the upper body forward and into the throwing geometry. Defensively osoto gari is countered by maintaining upright posture, by stepping back when the attacker initiates the outside-foot step, or by base-shifting backward to deny the reaping angle.

KEY POINTS

01Establish upper-body grips.
02Step lead foot outside the opponent's same-side foot.
03Pull opponent's upper body in opposite direction of step.
04Reap the opponent's same-side leg with the lead leg.
05Combine pull, step, and reap to break backward balance.

COMMON MISTAKES

✕Reaping without simultaneously pulling upper body.
✕Foot positioning too far from opponent.
✕Failing to commit body weight into the reaping leg.
✕Attempting against opponents with upright posture.
✕Releasing grips during the throw.

TRAINING DRILLS

→Solo reap motion drill.
→Slow osoto gari reps with cooperative partner.
→Throw against progressive resistance.
→Throw-to-side-control consolidation.
→Live standing rolling with osoto gari as primary throw.

Frequently Asked

What is Osoto Gari?: Osoto Gari, or Major Outer Reap, is a judo throw where the attacker reaps the opponent's leg from the outside using their own leg, combined with an upper-body pull to break the opponent's balance backward.
How do you execute the mechanics of Osoto Gari?: The attacker establishes upper-body grips, steps the lead foot to the outside of the opponent's same-side foot, and pulls the opponent's upper body in the opposite direction. The attacker then reaps the opponent's same-side leg with the lead leg to break their balance.
What are common mistakes when performing Osoto Gari?: Common errors include reaping without simultaneously pulling the upper body, positioning the foot too far from the opponent, failing to commit body weight into the reaping leg, and attempting the throw against opponents with upright posture.
How can Osoto Gari be defended?: Defensively, Osoto Gari can be countered by maintaining upright posture, stepping back when the attacker initiates the outside-foot step, or base-shifting backward to deny the reaping angle.