Outside Trip Double Leg Takedown - Wrestling for Jiu-Jitsu by Greg Hamilton BJJ
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Outside Trip·Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW
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Outside Trip
Family外掛け(Sotogake)
TraditionalTranslation: outside trip/reap
Overview
The Outside Trip family covers techniques where the attacker uses their leg to trip the opponent from the outside — attacking the outside of the opponent's leg by stepping around or behind to hook, reap, or block the outer ankle or leg. [1] Outside trips attack the opponent's base from the exterior angle, which provides the advantage of a longer lever arm and the ability to generate powerful rotational force. [1],[2] The family includes o soto gari (major outer reap) and outside ankle trips, both powerful techniques that can produce devastating high-amplitude falls. [2] Outside trips are particularly effective when the opponent's weight is on their heels or shifted to the targeted side. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Outside trips are fundamental to multiple martial arts traditions, with judo's o soto gari being one of the most iconic and powerful throwing techniques ever developed. [1] Wrestling traditions worldwide independently developed outside tripping techniques as natural applications of close-range combat physics. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
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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
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
O-Soto-Gari style; backward fall with head impact risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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
✓Attack the opponent's leg from the outside, stepping around or behind to hook their outer ankle
✓Use upper body control to drive the opponent's weight over the targeted leg before tripping
✓The outside angle means you can generate more sweeping force with your leg
✓Combine the trip with a strong pull or push from your clinch grip
✓Outside trips work well from the overhook, collar tie, and body lock positions
✓Step around to the outside before initiating the trip — the angle is critical
Common Mistakes
!Reaching for the outside trip from directly in front — you need the outside angle
!Tripping without controlling the upper body direction — no force to topple them
!Stepping too far around, ending up behind them without completing the trip
!Not reaping deep enough — a light tap on the outside of the ankle won't work
!Losing your clinch grip during the trip, freeing the opponent to counter
!Attempting outside trips from inside position where inside trips are more appropriate
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attemptLift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked to avoid the reap or sweepStep Over — lift the targeted leg over the sweeping limb to evadeCounter-Throw — use opponent's committed weight shift to execute a counter technique
Setup Chain
1Establish Grip — secure collar tie, underhook, or body lock for control
2Off-Balance (Kuzushi) — push or pull to shift opponent's weight onto the target leg
3Execute the Reap/Sweep — attack the loaded leg with the sweeping or tripping action
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
O Soto Gari Trip
SubFamilyThe O Soto Gari Trip subfamily applies judo's major outer reap as a takedown, where the attacker sweeps or reaps the opponent's leg from the outside with a powerful backward leg sweep while driving the upper body in the opposite direction. [1] O soto gari is one of judo's most powerful throws, using the full length of the attacker's leg to sweep the opponent's supporting leg while simultaneously creating strong backward kuzushi (off-balancing) with the hands. [1,2] The technique generates tremendous rotational force and can produce spectacular high-impact falls. [2] O soto gari is effective from multiple clinch configurations and is one of the most commonly scored techniques in judo competition. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Outside Ankle Trip
SubFamilyThe Outside Ankle Trip subfamily targets the opponent's ankle from the outside, using the attacker's foot to hook or block the outer ankle while upper body control directs the opponent's fall over the trapped foot. [1] The outside angle provides a natural leverage advantage because the tripping force acts on the widest part of the opponent's base. [1,2] Outside ankle trips are commonly executed from collar tie positions, underhooks, or body lock clinches where the attacker has access to the outside of the opponent's leg. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Notes
The outside trip appears in 20 passages across 4 books. The US Army H2H manual states: 'The outside trip works anytime you are able to clinch and your opponent leans away. It does not need to be used in combination with techniques like the hip throw.' Also documented with the M4 rifle variant for military combatives. (4 books; US Army Hand-to-Hand Combat, FM 3-25.150)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to bring my foot to my knee when setting up the outside trip?
Bringing your foot to your knee allows your knee to wrap around your opponent's heel, which prevents them from stepping back as you drive forward. Without this foot placement, you'll get stuck and won't be able to execute the takedown effectively.
What should my head and body position be as I drive forward in the outside trip?
As you drive forward with your knee coming over your foot, keep your head up and drive straight through your opponent. This positioning allows you to complete the takedown by maintaining forward pressure.
How does the Outside Trip work?
The Outside Trip family covers techniques where the attacker uses their leg to trip the opponent from the outside — attacking the outside of the opponent's leg by stepping around or behind to hook, reap, or block the outer ankle or leg. Outside trips attack the opponent's base from the exterior angle, which provides the advantage of a longer lever arm and the ability to generate powerful rotational force.
Where does the Outside Trip come from?
Outside trips are fundamental to multiple martial arts traditions, with judo's o soto gari being one of the most iconic and powerful throwing techniques ever developed. Wrestling traditions worldwide independently developed outside tripping techniques as natural applications of close-range combat physics.
Is the Outside Trip 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 Outside Trip?
Danger rating 5/10. High — O-Soto-Gari style; backward fall with head impact risk
How do I set up the Outside Trip?
The standard setup chain: Establish Grip → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Execute the Reap/Sweep.
How do I defend against the Outside Trip?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked to avoid the reap or sweep / Step Over — lift the targeted leg over the sweeping limb to evade / Counter-Throw — use opponent's committed weight shift to execute a counter technique.
What are the variants of the Outside Trip?
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 Outside Trip in competition?
Outside trips (particularly o soto gari) are among the highest-scoring techniques in judo competition. In MMA, outside trips are commonly used from the clinch.
What are common mistakes when doing the Outside Trip?
Top errors to watch for: Reaching for the outside trip from directly in front — you need the outside angle / Tripping without controlling the upper body direction — no force to topple them / Stepping too far around, ending up behind them without completing the trip / Not reaping deep enough — a light tap on the outside of the ankle won't work.
What are other names for the Outside Trip?
The Outside Trip is also known as Sotogake, Outside Reap, Soto Waza, Outer Trip.