O SOTO OTOSHI Using Kumi Kata Grip
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Standard O Soto Gake·welcomematstevescott
O Soto Otoshi (Major Outer Drop) is a powerful throw. In this video, we analyze this throw using a standard Kumi Kata Sl…
Standard O Soto Gake
Genus大外掛け(O Soto Gake)
TraditionalTranslation: major outer hook
Overview
Standard O Soto Gake executes the classical major outer hook where the thrower steps outside the opponent's lead leg, wraps the calf or hamstring behind the opponent's thigh, and drives the opponent backward over the hooked leg with strong upper-body pressure. [1] The hooking leg maintains contact throughout the throw, preventing the opponent from stepping back, while the hands push the opponent's chest and head rearward. [1],[2] The technique requires close body contact and a powerful forward drive to overcome the opponent's resistance. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
O soto gake is classified in the Kodokan nage-waza system as a distinct technique from o soto gari, differentiated by the gake (hooking) leg action. [1]
Competition Record
The standard o soto gake is seen in IJF competition. [1]
Images
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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
HOP AROUND TAI OTOSHI COUNTER WITH KO SOTO GAKE
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Standard O Soto Gake·welcomematstevescott
This video shows a standard defense or avoidance move of hopping around an opponent's throwing attack and countering. In…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
O Soto Gake (Minor Outer Hook) is a foot-leg throwing technique executed by hooking the opponent's leg from the outside and driving them backward. According to welcomematstevescott's detailed instruction, the technique begins with proper grip setup—typically a standard lapel and sleeve grip with the power hand (surite) positioned palm-up or fist-up with elbow down, employing surikomi (lifting, pulling) action to break balance. The thrower steps in with their non-throwing leg while pulling upward and outward with the upper body, then swings the hooking leg through in a controlled manner. Critically, the foot should make contact with the mat and the thrower should point the toe rather than lead with the heel, maintaining a low, hip-driven posture to generate power. The leg hooks just above or behind the opponent's knee or lower thigh, and the thrower pops off their knees to complete the throw. welcomematstevescott emphasizes that body type influences execution width and hip rotation angle, and stresses that the gripping hands should dictate timing—the grip should secure proximity before the leg hook is committed, preventing the opponent from countering with techniques like uchi mata. O Soto Gake is also effective as a counter to tai otoshi when executed immediately after the opponent's attack is evaded.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- welcomematstevescott — O SOTO OTOSHI Using Kumi Kata Grip: Detailed technical breakdown of foot placement, hand positioning, surikomi mechanics, body-type variations, and the distinction between otoshi (foot-pop) versus garai (reaping) and garuma (sweep) movements.
- welcomematstevescott — HOP AROUND TAI OTOSHI COUNTER WITH KO SOTO GAKE: Practical application of Ko Soto Gake as a counter-throw following tai otoshi defense; emphasis on hand-grip precedence before leg commitment, low hip-driven positioning, toe-pointing mechanics, and immediate counter-attack timing.
- The Judo Way of Life — Gokyo-no-Waza - 80 Throws In 4 Minutes || Left And Right Versions: Visual demonstration of standard O Soto Gake in formal gokyo context, showing bilateral (left and right) execution forms.
Learn This Technique
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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 gripping position, step your lead foot beside the opponent's lead foot to close distance
✓Swing your rear leg around and hook it deeply behind the opponent's far leg, wrapping the calf or back of the knee
✓Simultaneously drive the opponent backward with strong upper body pressure — chest to chest
✓The hooking leg locks the opponent's leg in place while your forward drive topples them over the hook
✓The throw finishes with you on top in a dominant position
✓Maintain the grip throughout to control the landing
✓Drive through the throw — do not stop at the point of contact; continue driving until the opponent is flat on the mat
Common Mistakes
!Not stepping close enough before hooking — the hook must wrap deeply, which requires close range
!Hooking and standing still — the forward drive is essential for the throw to work
!Wrapping loosely and letting the opponent extract their leg
!Driving at an angle instead of straight over the hook — misaligned drive reduces effectiveness
!Losing grip and allowing the opponent to turn out of the throw
!Attempting the hook with a straight leg — slight knee bend in the hooking leg helps it wrap
!Not maintaining your own balance during the drive — your base foot must be stable
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
When countering tai otoshi with ko soto gake, what should I do immediately after blocking and hopping around?
You need to counter attack right away—don't just be happy you got out of it. As soon as you get that hop around, pull the trigger and execute your counter; waiting gives your opponent time to recover.
What's the proper body mechanics for executing ko soto gake as a counter?
Stay very low, drive with your hips, and point your toe. Let your grips and hand position dictate when you hook the leg—your hands lead the way, so establish your grip first and only hook once you're close enough that your forearm makes contact, which prevents your opponent from countering with uchi mata.
Should I lead with my leg when doing ko soto gake, or should my hands come first?
Lead with your hands and grip, not your leg. If you come in leading with your leg, your opponent can counter you with uchi mata. Let your grip establish the connection first, then hook the leg once you're already in close.
What are the two main foot positions for o soto otoshi?
You can either place your foot straight on the mat in front of his feet and pop off your knees, or position your foot sideways behind both of his legs. Some prefer the immediate pop step while others prefer the wider base—it's a matter of preference.
How does the Standard O Soto Gake work?
Standard O Soto Gake executes the classical major outer hook where the thrower steps outside the opponent's lead leg, wraps the calf or hamstring behind the opponent's thigh, and drives the opponent backward over the hooked leg with strong upper-body pressure. The hooking leg maintains contact throughout the throw, preventing the opponent from stepping back, while the hands push the opponent's chest and head rearward.
Where does the Standard O Soto Gake come from?
The standard form of o soto gake has been part of the Kodokan classification as a distinct technique, taught alongside o-soto-gari to provide students with alternative mechanics for the outside position. The technique is widely used in sambo and wrestling as well as judo.
Is the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard O Soto Gake?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Standard O 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 O 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 O Soto Gake in competition?
The standard o soto gake is seen in IJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard O Soto Gake?
Top errors to watch for: Not stepping close enough before hooking — the hook must wrap deeply, which requires close range / Hooking and standing still — the forward drive is essential for the throw to work / Wrapping loosely and letting the opponent extract their leg / Driving at an angle instead of straight over the hook — misaligned drive reduces effectiveness.
What are other names for the Standard O Soto Gake?
The Standard O Soto Gake is also known as O Soto Gake, Classical Major Outer Hook, Standard Large Outside Hook.