"Faulke Step" Judo Grip Fighting and Throw Setup
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Hooking Throw·Preston Poulter
Sensei Tracy of Venice Judo demonstrates the "Faulke step" to initiate an attack.
Hooking Throw
Family掛け技(Gake-waza)
TraditionalTranslation: hooking technique
Overview
The Hooking Throw family encompasses ashi-waza techniques in which the thrower uses the foot or leg to hook behind or around the opponent's leg, trapping it and preventing retreat while the upper body is driven in the opposite direction. [1] Hooking throws differ from sweeps and reaps in the nature of the leg contact: the hooking action wraps around the opponent's leg, creating a fixed attachment point rather than a brushing or driving action. [1],[2] The two principal hooking throws in judo — ko-soto-gake and o-soto-gake — apply the hooking principle to the outside of the opponent's leg at different ranges, with ko-soto targeting the ankle and o-soto targeting higher on the leg. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Hooking techniques have been part of grappling traditions worldwide, appearing in folk wrestling styles where tripping and hooking the opponent's legs is a common tactic. [1] In judo, the gake (hooking) techniques were codified as part of the expanded Kodokan curriculum, distinct from the gari (reaping) techniques by their wrapping, trapping leg action. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Hooking techniques (gake) are part of the Kodokan judo ashi-waza syllabus and are also found in sambo and wrestling. [1]
Competition Record
Hooking throws are used in judo, sambo, and MMA competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Sweeping, reaping, or blocking the opponent's foot or leg to remove their base of support
Joints Involved — Attacker's sweeping leg (ankle or shin contact), opponent's supporting ankle or knee (swept)
Force Vector — Two opposing forces — the upper body is directed one way while the sweeping leg removes the support in the opposite direction
Timing Principle — Maximum effectiveness when the opponent's weight is committed to the targeted foot — timing supersedes strength
Position & Entry
From judo grip — Use push-pull timing (kuzushi) to catch the opponent as they step, sweep the support foot in the direction of their movement
From clinch (collar tie) — Push or pull to make the opponent step, sweep the stepping foot at the exact moment it lifts off the mat
Videos
Mastering the Osoto Gari Throw in Judo For Self Defense
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Hooking Throw·Joey GAINZalez
Book a private 1:1 call to see if you qualify for my Judoka Ascension Program 👇 🔗 https://calendly.com/thebetterinyou…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
Hooking action can cause knee/ankle injury if resisted; moderate impact on landing
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IJF — Legal throwing technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— UWW — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— Unified MMA — Legal throwing technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Hooking throws use the foot or leg to hook around the opponent's leg from behind, trapping it while the upper body drives them over the hook
✓The hooking leg wraps around the opponent's ankle or calf from the outside or inside
✓Drive the opponent's upper body in the direction opposite to the hooked leg — they fall over the trapped limb
✓Hooking throws require close body contact and strong gripping to control the upper body while the leg hooks
✓The hook must be firm — the leg wraps and locks around the target rather than simply touching it
✓Hooking throws work well against opponents who resist foot sweeps by lifting their feet — the hook catches the weighted leg
✓Ko soto gake and o soto gake are the primary hooking throws in the Kodokan syllabus
Common Mistakes
!Hooking loosely so the opponent can simply step out of the hook
!Not driving the upper body in opposition to the hook — the hook alone cannot throw; the hands must push or pull
!Hooking too high on the leg (above the knee), which gives the opponent room to escape
!Attempting to hook from too far away without first closing the distance
!Not maintaining chest contact during the throw — any gap allows the opponent to posture up
!Bending forward at the waist during the hook instead of driving through with the hips
!Placing the hooking foot on the ground instead of wrapping it around the leg
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to executeLift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping actionCounter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them insteadGrip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configurationStiff-Arm — maintain distance with straight arms to prevent the entry
Setup Chain
1Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) — establish the controlling grips needed for the throw
2Off-Balance (Kuzushi) — break the opponent's balance in the throwing direction
3Entry (Tsukuri) — position the body for the throw by turning, stepping, or loading
4Execution (Kake) — complete the throwing action with full commitment and follow-through
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Traditional Judo throwing technique 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 technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)
Community
Athletics
Requires
precise timing, ankle coordination, upper body kuzushi ability
Favours
excellent balance and quick reflexes
Key muscles
tibialis anterior, calves, hip rotators, forearms (grip)
Sub-techniques
Ko Soto Gake
SubFamilyKo Soto Gake (minor outer hook) is a judo ashi-waza technique in which the thrower hooks the opponent's heel or ankle from the outside with the sole of the foot, trapping the foot while driving the opponent backward over the hooked support. [1] The 'ko' (minor) designation refers to the smaller range of the technique compared to o-soto-gake, targeting the lower portion of the leg near the ankle. [1,2] The hooking action prevents the opponent from stepping back to recover balance, while the hand action pushes the opponent's upper body rearward, creating a rotation over the trapped foot. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
O Soto Gake
SubFamilyO Soto Gake (major outer hook) is a judo ashi-waza technique in which the thrower hooks the back of the opponent's leg from the outside using the calf or back of the thigh, trapping the leg at a higher point than ko-soto-gake while driving the opponent backward. [1] The 'o' (major) designation reflects the larger sweeping arc and higher contact point compared to the minor variant, creating more leverage through the longer moment arm. [1,2] The hooking action wraps around the opponent's thigh or knee area, and the throw is completed by driving the opponent's upper body over the hooked leg with a strong rearward push. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Notes
Ko-soto-gari and ko-uchi-gari are the primary hooking throws — they attack the opponent's ankle or heel from close range. Commonly used in combination attacks. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to commit quickly when setting up a hooking throw?
According to Preston Poulter, you only have a millisecond to decide what you want to do—if you hesitate for even a second, your opponent who is already behind you will be in a perfect position to counter you. You must react immediately and go into your technique without thinking twice.
What's the most important thing to remember when executing an osoto gari (hooking throw)?
Joey GAINZalez emphasizes that you must approach your opponent at an angle rather than straight on. The throw won't work well if you attack square—approaching diagonally gives you much more success with the technique.
How do I improve my power and explosiveness with the hooking throw?
Joey GAINZalez recommends whipping the reaping leg out while torquing your body like an oblique crunch, trying to touch the ground with your opposite arm. This drill trains both your flexibility and explosiveness with the throw.
How does the Hooking Throw work?
The Hooking Throw family encompasses ashi-waza techniques in which the thrower uses the foot or leg to hook behind or around the opponent's leg, trapping it and preventing retreat while the upper body is driven in the opposite direction. Hooking throws differ from sweeps and reaps in the nature of the leg contact: the hooking action wraps around the opponent's leg, creating a fixed attachment point rather than a brushing or driving action.
Where does the Hooking Throw come from?
Hooking techniques have been part of grappling traditions worldwide, appearing in folk wrestling styles where tripping and hooking the opponent's legs is a common tactic. In judo, the gake (hooking) techniques were codified as part of the expanded Kodokan curriculum, distinct from the gari (reaping) techniques by their wrapping, trapping leg action.
Is the Hooking Throw legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; UWW: legal — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Hooking Throw?
Danger rating 5/10. High — hooking action can cause knee/ankle injury if resisted; moderate impact on landing
How do I set up the Hooking Throw?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Hooking Throw?
Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping action / Counter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them instead / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration.
What are the variants of the Hooking Throw?
Common variants: Forward sweep (sweeping the foot in the direction the opponent is stepping); Rear sweep (sweeping the foot backward as the opponent retreats); Combination sweep (chaining sweeps to both feet); Counter sweep (timing the sweep as the opponent initiates their own attack).
How effective is the Hooking Throw in competition?
Hooking throws are used in judo, sambo, and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Hooking Throw?
Top errors to watch for: Hooking loosely so the opponent can simply step out of the hook / Not driving the upper body in opposition to the hook — the hook alone cannot throw; the hands must push or pull / Hooking too high on the leg (above the knee), which gives the opponent room to escape / Attempting to hook from too far away without first closing the distance.
What are other names for the Hooking Throw?
The Hooking Throw is also known as Gake-waza, Leg hooks, Outside hooks, Gake throws.