Osoto Gari
Also known as: Major Outer Reap · Outside Trip · O Soto Gari
The classic judo outside reap: break your opponent’s balance to their rear corner and sweep their support leg out from behind.
Takedown · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 2/5 · Usually learned at White belt
Starts from Standing as the either grappler → lands in Side Control.
The details that make it work
- Kuzushi first — drive their weight over the heel you are about to reap, usually with a collar-and-sleeve or collar-tie pull.
- Step deep beside their foot; your reaping leg swings through like a pendulum, calf to calf.
- Chest stays glued to them through the throw so you land in control, not in their guard.
Where it goes wrong
- Reaping without off-balancing first — against a based opponent it becomes a counter-throw gift.
- Hopping in from too far away instead of stepping level with their foot.
How opponents counter it
- Same-side osoto counter (osoto-gaeshi)
- Base drop and hip switch
Is the Osoto Gari legal in competition?
Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.
Related techniques
All moves from Standing · Back to Grapplepedia