O SOTO GARI O SOTO GAKE
0
O Soto Gake·welcomematstevescott
O Soto Gari (Major Outer Reap) and O Soto Gake (Major Outer Hook) are taught by Coach Steve Scott in this video made at …
O Soto Gake
SubFamily大外掛け(O Soto Gake)
TraditionalTranslation: major outer hook
Overview
O 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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
O soto gake (major outer hook) hooks the opponent's leg from the outside while driving their upper body backward, producing a powerful sweeping throw. [1]
Lineage
O soto gake is part of the Kodokan judo ashi-waza syllabus. [1]
Competition Record
O soto gake is scored in IJF competition, often as a variation of o soto gari. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
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 — 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
NIDAN KO SOTO GAKE
0
O Soto Gake·welcomematstevescott
Nidan Ko Soto Gake (Both Legs Minor Outer Hook) and a popular and effective throw. In this video, Coach Steve Scott show…
2 videos
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
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
✓O soto gake (major outer hook) hooks the opponent's leg from the outside at the calf or thigh level while driving them backward
✓The hooking leg wraps around the opponent's leg from behind, locking at the back of the knee or calf
✓Drive the opponent's upper body backward while the hooked leg blocks their retreat
✓O soto gake uses a deeper hook than ko soto gake — the leg wraps around rather than just blocking the ankle
✓This throw is powerful against opponents leaning backward or bracing against forward throws
✓Drive forward aggressively with the hips and chest — o soto gake is a driving, commitment throw
✓It can also be used as a follow-up when o soto gari is blocked — transition from the reap to the hook
Common Mistakes
!Not wrapping the leg deeply enough — a shallow hook lets the opponent step out
!Driving the opponent sideways instead of straight backward — the hook and drive must be aligned
!Reaching for the hook without closing the distance first — you lean forward and lose driving power
!Not maintaining chest contact throughout the drive
!Attempting o soto gake against a forward-leaning opponent — it works against backward lean or upright posture
!Hooking and then pausing — the hook and the drive must be one continuous action
!Falling on top of the opponent in an uncontrolled manner instead of maintaining balance through the throw
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I position my feet and hips when setting up O Soto Gake?
According to Welcome Mat Steve Scott, your feet should be positioned directly underneath your hips—if they're any closer you'll be off balance, and if they're any farther away you'll also be off balance. You want your hip to be very close to your opponent's body, almost touching them, and your right elbow and right hip should be connected for proper proximity.
Where should I grab my opponent when attempting O Soto Gake?
Welcome Mat Steve Scott emphasizes grabbing your opponent high on the back or shoulder area—don't grab too low because they can pop free and escape. You want to grab in a position that allows you to pull their body close to you.
What's the proper leg mechanics for the sweeping motion in O Soto Gake?
Point your toe and use a hooking motion across the body in a sweeping action, keeping your leg straight and powerful. Welcome Mat Steve Scott warns against a weak bent-leg movement, explaining that if your leg is bent you're off balance and not as strong, so keep everything aligned together for maximum power.
How do I break my opponent's posture before throwing with O Soto Gake?
Welcome Mat Steve Scott recommends pulling your opponent's body to you (what he calls the Sambo ripping theory of 'sucking them into you') rather than reaching over their back, which gives them too much room to attack. This close-proximity pull breaks their posture and balance before you execute the sweep.
How does the O Soto Gake work?
O 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. 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.
Where does the O Soto Gake come from?
O soto gake was recognised as part of the Kodokan's expanded nage-waza classification, distinguished from o-soto-gari by the hooking (gake) rather than reaping (gari) leg action. The technique appears in many grappling traditions outside judo as a common outside trip or hook.
Is the O 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 O 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 O Soto Gake?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the O Soto Gake?
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 O Soto Gake?
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 O Soto Gake in competition?
O soto gake is scored in IJF competition, often as a variation of o soto gari.
What are common mistakes when doing the O Soto Gake?
Top errors to watch for: Not wrapping the leg deeply enough — a shallow hook lets the opponent step out / Driving the opponent sideways instead of straight backward — the hook and drive must be aligned / Reaching for the hook without closing the distance first — you lean forward and lose driving power / Not maintaining chest contact throughout the drive.
What are other names for the O Soto Gake?
The O Soto Gake is also known as Major Outer Hook, Large Outside Hook, O Soto Gake.