Ko soto gake
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Ko Soto Gake·Hispaconsulting
pequeño gancho externo
Ko Soto Gake
SubFamily小外掛け(Ko Soto Gake)
TraditionalTranslation: minor outer hook
Overview
Ko 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]
History & Origin
Ko soto gake was recognised in the Kodokan's expanded classification of judo throws, catalogued as a distinct technique from the reaping (gari) and sweeping (barai) foot techniques. [1] The hooking mechanic represents a different tactical approach — trapping rather than displacing the opponent's foot. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Ko soto gake is part of the Kodokan judo ashi-waza syllabus. [1]
Competition Record
Ko soto gake is scored in IJF judo competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Pulling and lifting with the arms to load the opponent over the shoulder or upper back
Joints Involved — Attacker's shoulders (loading point), elbows (pulling action), hips (turning under the opponent)
Force Vector — Forward and downward rotation — the pulling arm creates circular momentum while the body turns underneath
Kuzushi (Off-balancing) — Forward — breaking the opponent's balance forward over their toes allows the turning entry
Position & Entry
From judo grip — Break balance forward, turn in and hook the opponent's inner thigh with the throwing leg, continue rotation to sweep them off the ground
From underhook — Secure inside position, turn and hook the leg while driving the upper body forward
Videos
KO SOTO GAKE BASICS
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Ko Soto Gake·welcomematstevescott
Ko Soto Gake (Minor Outer Hook) and a popular and versatile throwing technique. This video shows the basic skills. View …
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
Restricted
— no leg attacks below waist
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFLegal
— 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— 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
✓Ko soto gake (minor outer hook) hooks the opponent's ankle from the outside with the sole of your foot while driving them backward
✓Step close to the opponent and place the sole of your foot behind their heel on the outside
✓Push the opponent backward and over the hooked foot using strong upper body pressure
✓The hook blocks their backward escape while your push topples them over the obstruction
✓Keep your body close — chest to chest — and drive forward with the hips
✓This is a close-range throw that works well when the opponent is leaning backward or resisting forward throws
✓Ko soto gake transitions well from failed hip throws — if the hip throw is blocked, hook the near leg
Common Mistakes
!Hooking too high on the calf instead of at the ankle — the ankle hook provides a lower fulcrum and better mechanical advantage
!Not driving forward with the upper body — the hook alone does not throw; you must push them over it
!Standing too far away and reaching with the hooking foot — close the distance first
!Bending at the waist to reach the hook, which raises your centre of gravity and weakens the drive
!Not securing firm grip control before attempting the hook
!Hooking without setting up the throw — ko soto gake needs the opponent to be slightly off-balance backward first
!Falling forward on top of the opponent instead of driving through at an angle
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
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
single-leg balance, hip flexibility, explosive driving power
Favours
long legs for hooking reach, strong standing balance
Key muscles
glutes, hip flexors, hamstrings, core, calves (balance)
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake beginners make with ko soto gake?
According to Welcome Mat Steve Scott, the biggest mistake is getting in a hurry to hook the leg and leaving yourself vulnerable to being countered with an uchimata. Instead, you should always lead with your hips before attempting the hook.
How important is hip positioning in ko soto gake?
Hip positioning is critical—you must get your hips past the centerline of your opponent's body before hooking. Steve Scott emphasizes that even though it's a leg technique, you always lead with your hips, not with a lunge, or your opponent will counter you.
What's the proper leg motion when executing the hook?
Point your toe down and perform a chopping motion as you hook the leg in. This is a more controlled action than diving forward with full commitment, giving you better control over the throw.
Should I go to the mat when throwing ko soto gake, or stay standing?
While you can hook and stand up, Steve Scott recommends going to the mat with the throw because it provides a better transition into a pinning situation on the ground, making it an effective throw-to-ground-fighting combination.
How does the Ko Soto Gake work?
Ko 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. 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.
Where does the Ko Soto Gake come from?
Ko soto gake was recognised in the Kodokan's expanded classification of judo throws, catalogued as a distinct technique from the reaping (gari) and sweeping (barai) foot techniques. The hooking mechanic represents a different tactical approach — trapping rather than displacing the opponent's foot.
Is the Ko Soto Gake legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; UWW: restricted — Legal in freestyle, banned in Greco-Roman (no leg attacks below waist); Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Ko Soto Gake?
Danger rating 5/10. High — hooking action can cause knee/ankle injury if resisted; moderate impact on landing
How do I set up the Ko Soto Gake?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Ko Soto Gake?
Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration / Stiff-Arm — maintain distance with straight arms to prevent the entry.
What are the variants of the Ko Soto Gake?
Common variants: Standard technique (primary execution from standard grip and positioning); No-gi adaptation (modified without gi grips for submission grappling or MMA); Combination entry (entering from a failed attack or chain of techniques); Counter throw (applied as a direct counter to the opponent's throw or at…).
How effective is the Ko Soto Gake in competition?
Ko soto gake is scored in IJF judo competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Ko Soto Gake?
Top errors to watch for: Hooking too high on the calf instead of at the ankle — the ankle hook provides a lower fulcrum and better mechanical … / Not driving forward with the upper body — the hook alone does not throw; you must push them over it / Standing too far away and reaching with the hooking foot — close the distance first / Bending at the waist to reach the hook, which raises your centre of gravity and weakens the drive.
What are other names for the Ko Soto Gake?
The Ko Soto Gake is also known as Minor Outer Hook, Small Outside Hook, Ko Soto Gake.