Kosoto gari in depth
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Standard Ko Soto Gari·Shintaro Higashi·Added by Admin
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Standard Ko Soto Gari
Genus小外刈り(Ko Soto Gari)
TraditionalTranslation: standard minor outer reap
Overview
The Standard Ko Soto Gari executes the fundamental minor outer reap where the attacker drives the opponent's weight backward over their heels using a push-pull hand action, then reaps the loaded heel with the sole of the foot in a backward-sweeping motion. [1] The attacker steps to the outside of the opponent's foot, places the sweeping foot behind the opponent's ankle, and uses a sharp backward reap while simultaneously pushing the opponent's upper body in the opposite direction. [1],[2] The combination of upper body drive and heel reap creates a rotational fall backward over the reaped foot. [2] The technique is effective from collar tie, lapel grip, or clinch positions. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Ko soto gari is effective as both a primary attack and a combination technique, often used to exploit lateral weight shifts. [1] The minor outer reap targets the opponent's heel from behind, making it difficult to defend when properly timed with hand pulling actions. [1] The technique is particularly effective in close-range clinch exchanges where the short reaping arc can be executed quickly. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
The standard ko soto gari is a regular scoring technique in IJF judo competition. [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
Variants
Standard trip — blocking or sweeping the support leg while driving the upper body
Combination trip — chaining an inside trip with an outside trip when the opponent adjusts
Counter trip — using the trip as a counter when the opponent attacks
Clinch trip — executing the trip from a tight clinch position
Videos
1 video
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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
✓From close range, push the opponent's upper body backward with your chest and hands to load their rear heel
✓Place the sole of your foot behind their loaded heel and reap backward while continuing to drive forward
✓Your body drives through the space the opponent occupied — follow the reap with your full weight
✓Keep your hands gripping firmly and driving their upper body in the reap direction
✓The reap is a sweeping arc, not a straight pull — think of wiping the foot off the mat backward
✓Land in a dominant position by continuing to drive forward as they fall
Common Mistakes
!Not closing the distance first — ko soto gari is a close-range technique
!Reaping straight back instead of in a sweeping arc — the arc generates more force
!Leaning away from the opponent while reaping, which reduces your driving power
!Reaping the wrong foot (the unloaded one) — always reap the foot bearing weight
!Not following through with body weight over the reap, so the opponent catches themselves
!Hands and reap moving in different directions — everything must coordinate backward
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Ko Soto Gari and Ko Soto Harai?
Ko Soto Gari involves a sweeping motion, while Ko Soto Harai requires you to open up and physically pull your opponent from one position to another. According to Shintaro Higashi, both are common techniques, and top-level coaches often teach one before the other depending on your grip situation.
How do I prevent my opponent from turning during Ko Soto Gari?
You need to pin your opponent's hips and pull your shoulders toward you so he cannot turn. Shintaro Higashi emphasizes crowding him with your hips, keeping your head into his lap, and maintaining a dominant position—if you just reach without controlling his hips, he will turn onto his back.
How does the Standard Ko Soto Gari work?
The Standard Ko Soto Gari executes the fundamental minor outer reap where the attacker drives the opponent's weight backward over their heels using a push-pull hand action, then reaps the loaded heel with the sole of the foot in a backward-sweeping motion. The attacker steps to the outside of the opponent's foot, places the sweeping foot behind the opponent's ankle, and uses a sharp backward reap while simultaneously pushing the opponent's upper body in the opposite direction.
Where does the Standard Ko Soto Gari come from?
Standard ko soto gari has been taught in judo dojos worldwide since the art's founding and is one of the most commonly used foot techniques in judo competition. Its effectiveness in close quarters made it a valuable addition to MMA striking clinch exchanges.
Is the Standard 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 Standard Ko Soto Gari?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — timing-based sweep; lower force than trips
How do I set up the Standard Ko Soto Gari?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Ko Soto Gari in competition?
The standard ko soto gari is a regular scoring technique in IJF judo competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Ko Soto Gari?
Top errors to watch for: Not closing the distance first — ko soto gari is a close-range technique / Reaping straight back instead of in a sweeping arc — the arc generates more force / Leaning away from the opponent while reaping, which reduces your driving power / Reaping the wrong foot (the unloaded one) — always reap the foot bearing weight.
What are other names for the Standard Ko Soto Gari?
The Standard Ko Soto Gari is also known as Ko Soto Gari, Standard Minor Outer Reap, Ko Soto Gari Takedown, Outside Heel Trip.