Major Inner Reap - Grappling Fundamentals
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Major Inner Reap·CORE MMA
The Major Inner Reap / Large Inside Trip - a classical Judo technique which has been repurposed for BJJ & MMA. This is …
Major Inner Reap
Family大内刈り・小内刈り(O Uchi Gari / Ko Uchi Gari)
TraditionalTranslation: major/minor inner reap
Overview
The Major Inner Reap family covers ashi-waza techniques in which the thrower reaps the opponent's leg from the inside, driving the attacking leg between the opponent's legs to sweep away the supporting foot or leg. [1] Inner reaping techniques (uchi-gari) attack the opponent's base from the inside line, which is often less well defended than the outside, creating powerful close-range throws that are difficult to counter. [1],[2] The two primary techniques — o-uchi-gari (major inner reap) and ko-uchi-gari (minor inner reap) — attack different legs and at different ranges, forming one of the most important attacking combinations in judo. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Inner reaping techniques were part of the original Kodokan gokyo and have been central to judo's tactical framework since the art's founding. [1] The o-uchi-gari/ko-uchi-gari combination was systematised as one of judo's fundamental renzoku-waza (combination technique) patterns, taught as complementary attacks that set each other up. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Inner reap techniques are classified under ashi-waza in the Kodokan judo syllabus. [1]
Competition Record
O uchi gari and ko uchi gari are among the most commonly attempted ashi-waza in IJF 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
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
O-Uchi-Gari and variants; backward fall risk with head impact (Kano 1986)
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
✓Inner reaping throws attack the opponent's leg from the inside — your leg sweeps or reaps their leg inward toward their centre line
✓Inner reaps destabilise the opponent's base by taking out the leg that is carrying their weight from the inside
✓O uchi gari (major inner reap) and ko uchi gari (minor inner reap) are the two primary techniques
✓These throws work best when the opponent is standing with a wide base or weight shifted to one leg
✓Inner reaps are excellent combination tools: they pair naturally with outer reaps, hip throws, and shoulder throws
✓Set up inner reaps by pushing the opponent backward to make them brace, then reap the bracing leg
✓Inner reaps are high-percentage techniques at all levels of judo competition
Common Mistakes
!Reaping the unweighted leg — the reap must target the leg that is bearing the opponent's weight
!Not driving the opponent's upper body in the direction of the reap — the hands must push or pull to create the off-balance
!Reaping too high on the leg — target the ankle or lower calf for the best leverage
!Standing too far away and reaching with the reaping leg — close the distance first
!Not committing the upper body to the throw direction — the reap alone is insufficient
!Attempting inner reaps against an opponent with a narrow stance — wider stances are more vulnerable
!Using the instep instead of the back of the calf or sole for the reaping action
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 Uchi Gari
SubFamilyKo Uchi Gari (minor inner reap) is a judo ashi-waza technique in which the thrower reaps the opponent's near leg from the inside, using a small, quick hooking or sweeping action against the inner ankle to remove the support. [1] The 'ko' (minor) designation reflects the smaller range and closer distance compared to o-uchi-gari — ko-uchi-gari targets the near foot with a short, sharp reap rather than reaching for the far leg. [1,2] The throw is typically performed as a quick snapping attack when the opponent's weight settles on the near foot, and it is one of the most effective setup techniques in judo for chaining into larger throws like o-uchi-gari, uchi-mata, or seoi-nage. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
O Uchi Gari
SubFamilyO Uchi Gari (major inner reap) is a judo ashi-waza technique in which the thrower drives the leg between the opponent's legs and reaps the far leg from the inside, sweeping it backward while pushing the opponent's upper body in the same rearward direction. [1] The 'o' (major) designation indicates that the technique targets the far leg with a large, powerful reaping action, creating a diagonal throwing line. [1,2] The thrower typically steps deep between the opponent's feet, hooks or reaps the far leg's inner calf or ankle with the foot or shin, and drives forward to topple the opponent backward over the reaped leg. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Notes
O-uchi-gari is the most common combination setup throw in judo — it is used to off-balance opponents before following with o-soto-gari, uchi-mata, or tai-otoshi. (Kano, Kodokan Judo; Mifune, Canon of Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the starting position for the major inner reap?
You need a solid underhook and overhook with good arm control, similar to pummeling position. According to CORE MMA, make sure you have nice and tight control in the arm with a good underhook before attempting the technique.
How should I angle my body when setting up the major inner reap?
Step off at about a 45-degree angle, with your back leg stepping and lead leg pulling to straddle your opponent's lead leg. CORE MMA emphasizes that this angled positioning allows you to use your leg to trip theirs.
Where exactly should I target when executing the reap?
Trip at the ankle level, not higher up the leg. CORE MMA explains that you want the same catching action that occurs when you trip on a sidewalk—the contact at the ankle causes the body to commit forward over the top.
What should I do as they start to drop to avoid getting swept?
Step over the knee to secure at least half guard rather than allowing them to re-guard or sweep you. CORE MMA stresses the importance of stepping over the knee during the follow-through to maintain control.
How does the Major Inner Reap work?
The Major Inner Reap family covers ashi-waza techniques in which the thrower reaps the opponent's leg from the inside, driving the attacking leg between the opponent's legs to sweep away the supporting foot or leg. Inner reaping techniques (uchi-gari) attack the opponent's base from the inside line, which is often less well defended than the outside, creating powerful close-range throws that are difficult to counter.
Where does the Major Inner Reap come from?
Inner reaping techniques were part of the original Kodokan gokyo and have been central to judo's tactical framework since the art's founding. The o-uchi-gari/ko-uchi-gari combination was systematised as one of judo's fundamental renzoku-waza (combination technique) patterns, taught as complementary attacks that set each other up.
Is the Major Inner Reap 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 Major Inner Reap?
Danger rating 6/10. High — O-Uchi-Gari and variants; backward fall risk with head impact (Kano 1986)
How do I set up the Major Inner Reap?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Major Inner Reap?
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 Major Inner Reap?
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 Major Inner Reap in competition?
O uchi gari and ko uchi gari are among the most commonly attempted ashi-waza in IJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Major Inner Reap?
Top errors to watch for: Reaping the unweighted leg — the reap must target the leg that is bearing the opponent's weight / Not driving the opponent's upper body in the direction of the reap — the hands must push or pull to create the off-ba… / Reaping too high on the leg — target the ankle or lower calf for the best leverage / Standing too far away and reaching with the reaping leg — close the distance first.
What are other names for the Major Inner Reap?
The Major Inner Reap is also known as O Uchi Gari / Ko Uchi Gari, Inner reap throws, Inside leg attacks.