Ko-Soto-Gake Tips | Riki Judo Dojo
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Standard Ko Soto Gake·Riki Judo Dojo·Added by Admin
Riki sensei explained ko-soto-gake (小外掛 - small outer hook) during judo class on 2-18-2022. 0:00 Definition 0:20 Jujit…
Standard Ko Soto Gake
Genus小外掛け(Ko Soto Gake)
TraditionalTranslation: minor outer hook
Overview
Standard Ko Soto Gake executes the classical minor outer hook where the thrower places the sole of the foot behind the opponent's heel from the outside, hooks it to prevent backward stepping, and drives the opponent rearward with chest and hand pressure. [1] The opponent, unable to retreat because the foot is trapped, falls backward over the hooked ankle. [1],[2] The throw requires the thrower to be close to the opponent, with strong forward pressure and precise foot placement behind the target heel. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Ko soto gake is classified in the expanded Kodokan nage-waza list, distinguished from reaping (gari) techniques by its hooking (gake) mechanic. [1]
Competition Record
The standard ko soto gake is seen in IJF 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
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 attack
Videos
1 video
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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
✓From a standard gripping position, step your lead foot close to the opponent's lead foot
✓Place the sole of your rear foot behind and outside the opponent's rear heel
✓Drive forward and downward with the hands — pushing the opponent's upper body over the hooked foot
✓Your chest drives into the opponent's chest, and your weight pushes them backward over the hook
✓The throw finishes with the opponent falling backward over the trapped foot
✓Maintain grip control throughout to follow the opponent to the ground for pinning or transition
✓The timing is: close distance, hook, drive — all as one flowing motion
Common Mistakes
!Hooking the foot but not driving forward — the opponent simply lifts their foot off the hook
!Placing the hook and then pausing before driving — the hook and drive must be simultaneous
!Leaving the upper body upright instead of driving the chest forward and down
!Hooking the wrong foot — target the foot that is weighted as you push them backward
!Losing grip during the drive and letting the opponent spin out
!Over-extending the hooking leg and losing your own base
!Not practising the footwork pattern — the approach and hook placement require precise stepping
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)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my heel actually need to touch the back of the knee for ko soto gake to work?
No—Riki Judo Dojo emphasizes that getting your heel precisely on the back of the knee is difficult and unnecessary. Even if only a third of your calf makes contact with the knee, once you catch the hinge and it goes down, the throw will work.
What's the most important motion in executing ko soto gake?
The cutting motion (kari) is most critical. Rather than just hooking, you need to cut the leg with a sickle-like action, which will traumatize the knee and cause the throw to work effectively.
How should my foot be positioned when I hook the leg?
Your toes should point outward (unlike kuzutagari where they come in), and the hook should come from behind the Achilles tendon like a heel strike. Pivot into position before executing the hook motion.
Where exactly should I control my opponent's body during the setup?
Control the hip bone with your foot placement—come right down on the hip bone and keep your foot there rather than underneath the leg, making sure not to leave your foot trapped in that position.
How does the Standard Ko Soto Gake work?
Standard Ko Soto Gake executes the classical minor outer hook where the thrower places the sole of the foot behind the opponent's heel from the outside, hooks it to prevent backward stepping, and drives the opponent rearward with chest and hand pressure. The opponent, unable to retreat because the foot is trapped, falls backward over the hooked ankle.
Where does the Standard Ko Soto Gake come from?
The standard form of ko soto gake has been part of the Kodokan judo syllabus as a recognised nage-waza technique. It is commonly taught alongside the reaping techniques as an alternative finishing mechanic for close-range standing situations.
Is the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Ko Soto Gake?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Ko Soto Gake in competition?
The standard ko soto gake is seen in IJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Ko Soto Gake?
Top errors to watch for: Hooking the foot but not driving forward — the opponent simply lifts their foot off the hook / Placing the hook and then pausing before driving — the hook and drive must be simultaneous / Leaving the upper body upright instead of driving the chest forward and down / Hooking the wrong foot — target the foot that is weighted as you push them backward.
What are other names for the Standard Ko Soto Gake?
The Standard Ko Soto Gake is also known as Ko Soto Gake, Classical Minor Outer Hook, Standard Small Outside Hook.