Ko Soto Gari to O Soto Throws
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Ko Soto Gari·welcomematstevescott
This is a common and effective throwing combination. Ko Soto Gari is often used as a set up for a variety of O Soto thro…
Ko Soto Gari
SubFamily小外刈り(Ko Soto Gari)
TraditionalTranslation: minor outer reap
Overview
Ko Soto Gari (minor outer reap) is a foot sweep subfamily where the attacker reaps the opponent's heel or ankle from the outside using the sole of the foot or the heel, while driving the opponent's upper body backward over the reaped leg. [1] The 'minor' designation distinguishes it from o soto gari (major outer reap) — ko soto gari uses a smaller, more precise reaping action targeting the ankle rather than a full leg sweep. [1],[2] The upper body drives the opponent's weight backward onto the heel, and the reap removes that support point. [2] Ko soto gari is effective at close range and from various clinch positions. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Ko soto gari is used in judo competition at all levels, frequently as a combination technique with forward throws. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Penetrating step and level change to attack the opponent's legs — disrupting their base of support
Joints Involved — Attacker's knees and hips (level change), opponent's knee or ankle (controlled point)
Force Vector — Forward and downward — closing distance and driving through the opponent's lower body
Takedown Mechanic — Removing one or both legs from the opponent's base forces them to fall or be driven to the mat
Position & Entry
From collar tie and sleeve control — Step outside, reap the opponent's leg from the outside while driving them backward with upper body pressure
From clinch (high collar tie) — Control the head, step to the outside of the lead leg and sweep it while pushing the opponent over
Videos
Integrated Attacks - Ko Soto Gari
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Ko Soto Gari·Seiryoku Zenyo
Mark Gilston, 4th degree judo black belt, shows an integrated attack sequence beginning with the minor outer sweep. http…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Timing-based sweep; lower force than trips
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— leg-to-leg contact prohibited
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFLegal
— 2 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— Unified MMA — Legal takedown technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal — all takedowns permitted
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF— 2 points
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓Drive the opponent's weight backward over their heels with a strong push-pull hand action
✓Reap the loaded heel from the outside using the sole of your foot in a backward sweep
✓The reap and the push happen simultaneously — one without the other won't work
✓Step in close before reaping; you need to be at chest-to-chest range
✓Your body weight drives through them as you reap, not just the foot
✓Ko soto gari is effective as a counter when the opponent pushes forward — redirect their momentum backward
Common Mistakes
!Reaping before pushing the opponent's weight backward — they can lift the targeted foot
!Standing too far away to effectively reap the heel
!Reaping with the top of the foot instead of the sole — less control and less surface area
!Only pushing with the hands without following through with body weight
!Reaping too high on the calf instead of at the heel or ankle
!Not breaking their balance backward first — the reap finishes the off-balance, it doesn't create it
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attemptUnderhook — establish inside position to control distance and prevent the takedown entryPost and Circle — post on the attacker's head and circle away to break their angleLevel Change Defence — recognize the shot early and react with appropriate hip defence
Setup Chain
1Establish Contact — use grip, tie, or clinch to control the opponent
2Create Off-Balance — use push-pull action to disrupt the opponent's base
3Execute the Takedown — apply the specific takedown mechanic with commitment
4Follow to Ground — maintain control as the opponent goes down to secure position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Traditional Judo throwing/takedown terminology (Kodokan Institute)
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Traditional Judo throwing/takedown terminology (Kodokan Institute)
Community
Athletics
Requires
timing, balance, upper body control for push-pull
Favours
good coordination and sense of opponent's weight distribution
Key muscles
core stabilisers, hip adductors/abductors, calves
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my Ko Soto Gari doesn't work?
You should have a follow-up technique in mind before attempting the throw. According to Seiryoku Zenyo, going in for one technique without a backup plan if it fails is a failing strategy—instead, you should be ready to transition to techniques like O Soto Gari or O Soto Garuma if your opponent defends.
How can Ko Soto Gari help me improve my footwork?
Ko Soto Gari drilling teaches fast foot movement, foot manipulation, body posture, and shin timing, according to welcomematstevescott, making it an excellent practice tool for developing these fundamental skills even if you're not focusing on the throw itself.
Is Ko Soto Gari a good setup for other throws?
Yes, Ko Soto Gari works well as a setup or fake for O Soto Gari and O Soto Garuma, according to welcomematstevescott, allowing you to flow into these larger throws when your opponent defends against or escapes the initial Ko Soto Gari attempt.
How does the Ko Soto Gari work?
Ko Soto Gari (minor outer reap) is a foot sweep subfamily where the attacker reaps the opponent's heel or ankle from the outside using the sole of the foot or the heel, while driving the opponent's upper body backward over the reaped leg. The 'minor' designation distinguishes it from o soto gari (major outer reap) — ko soto gari uses a smaller, more precise reaping action targeting the ankle rather than a full leg sweep.
Where does the Ko Soto Gari come from?
Ko soto gari is one of the original judo throws classified in the Kodokan gokyo-no-waza (five sets of techniques) and has been a competition technique since judo's early years. The technique has been adapted into sambo, wrestling, and MMA as a close-range trip.
Is the Ko Soto Gari legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal (ashi-waza) — trips executed without grabbing opponent's legs are permi…; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, scored as takedown (2 points); UWW: restricted — Legal in freestyle, restricted in Greco-Roman (leg-to-leg contact prohibited); Unified MMA: legal — Legal takedown technique; ADCC: legal — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal — all takedowns permitted; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, scored as takedown (2 points)
How dangerous is the Ko Soto Gari?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — timing-based sweep; lower force than trips
How do I set up the Ko Soto Gari?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Ko Soto Gari?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Underhook — establish inside position to control distance and prevent the takedown entry / Post and Circle — post on the attacker's head and circle away to break their angle / Level Change Defence — recognize the shot early and react with appropriate hip defence.
What are the variants of the Ko Soto Gari?
Common variants: Standard trip (blocking or sweeping the support leg while driving the up…); Combination trip (chaining an inside trip with an outside trip when the opp…); Counter trip (using the trip as a counter when the opponent attacks); Clinch trip (executing the trip from a tight clinch position).
How effective is the Ko Soto Gari in competition?
Ko soto gari is used in judo competition at all levels, frequently as a combination technique with forward throws.
What are common mistakes when doing the Ko Soto Gari?
Top errors to watch for: Reaping before pushing the opponent's weight backward — they can lift the targeted foot / Standing too far away to effectively reap the heel / Reaping with the top of the foot instead of the sole — less control and less surface area / Only pushing with the hands without following through with body weight.
What are other names for the Ko Soto Gari?
The Ko Soto Gari is also known as Ko Soto Gari, Minor Outer Reap, Small Outside Reap.